Many people believe an insurance adjuster's first settlement offer reflects the true value of their claim. The reality is that initial offers often fail to account for the full scope of future medical needs and financial losses a serious crash causes.
A dedicated Greenville car accident lawyer recognizes the long-term impact of an injury and builds a case that reflects your actual needs. Take the first step toward protecting your rights and call Richard Schwartz & Associates for free today at (662) 454-4277.
Why Choose Richard Schwartz & Associates for Your Auto Accident Case
Our firm provides dedicated legal support to individuals across Mississippi who face challenges after a collision. We focus on building a strong foundation for your claim through meticulous preparation and direct communication.
A Deep Connection to Greenville
Our attorneys have deep roots in Washington County. We understand how a collision on U.S. 82 during rush hour or a fender bender near the Greenville Mall can disrupt your life.
We’re familiar with the local court system and have experience representing clients from neighborhoods all over the city, from the historic South Main district to the growing communities north of town.
A History of Mississippi Wins
Our personal injury attorneys have handled legal cases in Mississippi for more than 40 years, securing over $1 billion for clients. Our long history of achieving substantial verdicts and settlements for clients is why Mississippians trust us to build a winning case.
Open Communication
You get direct access to our legal team when you work with Richard Schwartz & Associates. We answer your questions promptly and provide regular updates on your case's progress. Your peace of mind matters to us throughout the entire legal process.
Our team is ready to listen to your story and explain your options. Call Richard Schwartz & Associates today at (662) 454-4277.
Protecting Your Rights After a Greenville Car Accident
A car crash creates immediate confusion and long-term challenges, including medical appointments, vehicle repairs, and lost income. Insurance companies may pressure you for a quick statement or a fast settlement.
An experienced Greenville auto accident lawyer protects you from these pressures. We act as your advocate, managing all communications and legal deadlines on your behalf. This allows you to focus completely on your physical and personal recovery.
The Role of a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer
Your attorney's primary role is to build a comprehensive case that accurately reflects your losses. We handle the complex tasks that are essential for a successful claim. We commit to giving your case the detailed attention it requires.
Our team takes specific actions to strengthen your position, including:
- Evidence Collection: Your lawyer will gather police reports, witness statements, medical records, and physical evidence from the accident scene.
- Liability Determination: We analyze the evidence to clearly establish who was at fault for the collision.
- Damage Calculation: Our team documents every loss, from medical bills and lost wages to other financial impacts.
- Insurance Negotiation: We’ll present a detailed demand package to the insurance company and handle all negotiations for you. If the insurer doesn’t want to make a fair offer, we’ll take them to court.
Building a Strong Foundation for Your Claim
A successful car accident claim rests on a foundation of solid evidence. From the moment you contact Richard Schwartz & Associates, we begin investigating your crash and documenting its effects on your life. We leave no detail unexamined in our pursuit of a just resolution.
The moments after a crash on a busy street like Washington Avenue can feel chaotic, and important evidence can disappear quickly as traffic resumes and memories fade. Our skilled Greenville car accident lawyers know how to preserve the information that strengthens your claim.
Gathering Critical Evidence
We use our resources to collect and our experience to analyze all available information related to your accident. This proactive approach helps us build a compelling narrative of what happened and who is responsible for paying for your losses.
We focus on several key areas of evidence, such as:
- Accident Scene: We may visit the crash site to document road conditions, traffic signals, and sightlines. Our team can take photographs and measurements to reconstruct the event.
- Vehicle Damage Analysis: The damage to the vehicles involved can provide important clues about the speed and angle of impact, and we’ll review repair estimates and photos as part of our analysis.
- Witness Interviews: Independent witnesses may offer an unbiased account of the collision. Our team contacts witnesses to obtain and preserve their statements to scaffold your case.
- Electronic Data: Modern vehicles often contain Event Data Recorders (EDRs) that capture information about speed, braking, and steering just before a crash; we work quickly to secure this data.
Documenting Your Full Range of Losses
Your claim's value extends beyond the initial medical bills. A serious injury can affect your ability to earn a living, manage your household, and enjoy your life. We help you document the complete financial impact of the accident to reflect your total losses.
Your Greenville car accident lawyer will assist you in compiling records related to:
- Medical Treatment: This includes everything from emergency room visits and hospital stays to physical therapy, prescription costs, and future medical needs.
- Lost Income: We document any wages you lost because of the accident, including time missed for appointments and reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job.
- Property Damage: Your lawyer accounts for the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
- Pain and Suffering: This payment addresses the physical pain and emotional distress you endure as a result of the accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: We can pursue compensation for the diminished ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
- Other Expenses: You may have other costs, such as transportation to medical appointments or the need for in-home assistance, that we can include in your claim.
Common Causes of Collisions in Washington County
While every car accident is unique, many crashes stem from similar acts of negligence. Our firm has experience handling claims arising from a wide variety of circumstances on local roads, from Main Street in Downtown Greenville to the rural highways that connect our communities.
Our experience includes cases involving:
- Distracted Driving: Texting, talking on the phone, or using an infotainment system diverts a driver's attention from the road with dangerous consequences.
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Exceeding the speed limit or engaging in behaviors like tailgating and unsafe lane changes reduces reaction time and increases the severity of a crash.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair a driver's judgment, coordination, and ability to operate a vehicle safely.
- Failure To Yield: Many collisions occur at intersections, like those along State Route 1, when one driver fails to yield the right-of-way to another.
Whatever the cause of your crash, our objective remains the same. We work to hold the responsible party accountable and secure the resources you need for your recovery.
Mississippi Laws That Affect Your Claim
Two key Mississippi laws directly influence your car accident claim. These rules govern the timeline for filing your case and how financial responsibility gets divided, and insurance companies build their negotiation strategies around these statutes.
The Statute of Limitations
Mississippi law sets a strict time limit for filing a car accident lawsuit: You generally have three years from the date of the collision to take formal legal action. This deadline matters because a thorough investigation and meaningful negotiations must occur well before it expires.
Additionally, if you miss this deadline, the courts will almost certainly bar your claim permanently, and you’ll lose the right to seek compensation.
Pure Comparative Negligence
Mississippi has a pure comparative negligence rule, which allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the crash. The court reduces your final compensation award by your assigned percentage of fault.
For example, a 5% fault finding reduces a $100,000 award to $95,000. Insurance adjusters often try to assign an unfair percentage of blame to victims to reduce the claim's value. An attorney counters these tactics by presenting clear evidence that establishes the other party's liability.
FAQ for Greenville Car Accident Lawyer
What Should I Do After a Car Crash in Greenville?
Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine, as some serious injuries may not show symptoms right away. If you’ve already received medical attention, your next step is organizing all the information related to the incident.
Locate the police report number, the other driver’s insurance details, and any photos you took at the scene. You should also start a file to keep all medical bills and correspondence from insurance companies in one place.
Then, contact a car accident lawyer in Greenville to learn about your options.
What Evidence Helps My Lawyer Prove My Car Crash Case?
Crucial evidence includes the official police report, photos and videos of the accident scene and vehicle damage, contact information for any witnesses, and all your medical records and bills. These items help your Greenville car accident lawyer piece together the events and prove your damages.
Don’t worry if you don’t have some items; your attorney will conduct an investigation to uncover additional evidence for your claim.
Can a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer Help Me Deal With Insurance Companies?
Your attorney manages all communication with insurance adjusters on your behalf. At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we’ll prevent insurers from pressuring you into a premature settlement or obtaining a recorded statement they could use against you.
We handle all of the negotiations to allow you to focus on getting better.
Should I Give a Recorded Statement to the Other Driver’s Insurance Adjuster?
You have no obligation to provide a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurance company. Adjusters often use these conversations to ask leading questions designed to protect their company's financial interests.
An attorney can handle all communications with the insurer to protect your rights and the integrity of your claim.
What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured?
If you were hit by an uninsured motorist or the driver fled the scene of the accident, your own auto insurance policy may provide a path for recovery. You may carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which allows you to file a claim with your own insurance company.
An attorney can review your policy to identify all available sources of compensation and manage the UM/UIM claim process for you.
Take the Next Step With Confidence
The legal world can seem confusing, but your path forward doesn’t have to be. Taking action to protect your rights gives you a sense of control over your story. A free conversation with an experienced attorney can replace uncertainty with a clear plan.
Let Richard Schwartz & Associates handle the legal complexities so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery. Contact us for a direct and honest assessment of your case. Call us at (662) 454-4277 today for free.