Jackson Car Accident Lawyer

Right now, you’re likely in pain, your car might be wrecked, and the medical bills are already starting to pile up. On top of it all, an insurance adjuster is probably calling, pushing for a quick statement while you’re still trying to process what happened. When another driver’s negligence on a Jackson road causes this kind of chaos, the financial weight shouldn't fall on your shoulders. 

The dedicated team at Richard Schwartz & Associates understands that your primary focus needs to be on your health and recovery. A Jackson car accident lawyer from our firm can step in to handle the insurance companies and fight for the full compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on what matters most: getting better.

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Why Choose Richard Schwartz & Associates for Your Jackson Car Accident Case?

When you’re looking for a Jackson car accident lawyer, you need a team with a proven record of success and a genuine commitment to its clients. At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we combine decades of legal experience with a deep dedication to the communities we serve. We believe that our care for you extends far beyond the courtroom. Our mission is clear: Leading with Compassion. Winning with Excellence.

Choosing our firm means putting a powerful and caring team in your corner. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Decades of Experience: With over 40 years of experience, our attorneys have a profound understanding of Mississippi personal injury law.
• A History of Results: We have successfully recovered over $1 billion for our clients, demonstrating our ability to handle complex cases and secure meaningful compensation.
• Client-Centered Approach: We treat our clients like family. Our team is known for being knowledgeable, respectful, and genuinely caring.
• Always Available: Accidents don't happen on a 9-to-5 schedule. We are available 24/7 to offer a free case evaluation and discuss your legal options.

Our roots in Mississippi run deep, and we are proud to be a firm that is dedicated to honesty, justice, and community service. When you work with us, you can feel confident that you have a dedicated advocate fighting for your best interests every step of the way.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Jackson

Car accidents can happen for many reasons, but most are caused by some form of negligence. Negligence is a legal term that simply means someone failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure caused harm to another person. As your trusted car accident lawyer, part of our job is to investigate the crash and determine exactly what went wrong and who is responsible.

Some of the most frequent causes of collisions we see on roads in Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties include:

• Distracted Driving 
• Speeding and Aggressive Driving
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
• Drowsy Driving
• Poor Road Conditions or Maintenance

Knowing the cause of your accident is the first step toward building a strong claim for compensation. Our team has the resources to conduct a thorough investigation to gather the evidence needed to prove fault.

Proving Negligence in a Mississippi Car Accident Claim

To successfully recover compensation, you and your attorney must prove that the other driver was negligent. This involves establishing four key elements:

1. Duty of Care: The other driver had a legal responsibility to operate their vehicle safely and follow traffic laws to avoid harming others on the road.
2. Breach of Duty: The driver failed to uphold that responsibility. For example, they were texting while driving or ran a red light.
3. Causation: The driver's breach of duty directly caused the accident and your injuries.
4. Damages: You suffered actual harm, such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, as a result of the accident.

Our team is skilled at collecting evidence—like police reports, witness statements, and traffic camera footage—to build a compelling case that clearly demonstrates these four elements.

What Compensation Is Available in a Jackson Car Accident Claim?

If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your various losses. These losses are legally referred to as "damages." The goal of a personal injury claim is to secure a settlement or court award that covers these damages, helping you become as whole as possible again from a financial perspective.

A knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Jackson, MS, can help you identify all of your potential damages and calculate their full value. Compensation is typically divided into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

These are the tangible, financial losses that have a specific monetary value. They are often proven with bills, receipts, and pay stubs. Examples include:

• Past and future medical expenses (hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, medication)
• Lost wages from time missed at work
• Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your job
• Property damage to your vehicle and other personal items

Non-Economic Damages

These are the intangible losses related to the personal impact the accident has had on your life. They do not have a set price tag but are just as real and significant. Examples include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement

Punitive Damages

In some rare cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, a third type of damages called punitive damages may be awarded. These are intended to punish the at-fault party and discourage similar behavior in the future.

Our attorneys will carefully review every detail of your case to ensure we pursue the maximum compensation available for all of your losses.

Mississippi Car Accident Laws that Can Affect Your Case

State laws play a significant role in how a car accident claim proceeds. Having a lawyer who is deeply familiar with Mississippi's specific statutes is crucial for protecting your rights. Two of the most important laws that can affect your case are the statute of limitations and the rule of pure comparative negligence.

The Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is a legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. In Mississippi, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you fail to file your claim within this three-year window, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation forever. 

While there are a few exceptions, it is very important to act quickly. Contacting a motor vehicle accident lawyer soon after your collision allows them to preserve evidence and ensure all legal deadlines are met.

The Pure Comparative Negligence Rule

Mississippi follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule. This rule addresses situations where more than one person may be at fault for an accident.

Here’s how it works:

• You can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident.
• Your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
• For example, if you are found to be 20% responsible for the crash and your total damages are $100,000, your final award would be reduced by 20%, leaving you with $80,000.

Insurance companies often try to use this rule to their advantage by shifting as much blame as possible onto the injury victim to reduce the amount they have to pay. An experienced attorney can protect you from unfair accusations of fault and fight to ensure the blame is placed where it truly belongs.

How a Jackson Car Accident Attorney Can Help You

After a car crash, you may feel pressured by insurance adjusters to accept a quick, low settlement offer. It’s important to remember that insurance companies are businesses focused on protecting their profits, not on paying you what you fairly deserve. Having a dedicated lawyer on your side levels the playing field.

The team at Richard Schwartz & Associates will handle all the complex aspects of your claim so you can focus on your recovery.

Here are some of the ways we assist our clients:

• Conducting a Thorough Investigation: We will gather all necessary evidence, including the police report, medical records, photos of the scene, and witness testimony. We may also work with accident reconstruction professionals to prove how the crash occurred.
• Handling All Communications: We will take over all communication with insurance companies, claims adjusters, and the other party's attorneys. This protects you from saying something that could be used against you later.
• Calculating Your Full Damages: We work with you and, if needed, financial and medical professionals to determine the full extent of your past, present, and future losses to demand a fair settlement.
• Negotiating a Settlement: Our lawyers are skilled negotiators who will fight for a settlement that fully and fairly compensates you for your injuries and other damages.
• Taking Your Case to Court: While most car accident cases are settled out of court, we are always prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement. We are experienced litigators who are comfortable and capable in the courtroom.

From start to finish, we will be your guide and your advocate, providing the support you need during this difficult time.

Car Accident Trends on Mississippi Roads

While recent years have seen a slight decrease in traffic fatalities nationwide, the roads in our home state tell a more serious story. Mississippi continues to face unique and significant challenges when it comes to driver safety, making awareness and caution more important than ever for everyone on the road.

A recent analysis from TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, highlights some concerning statistics for our state. These numbers show just how frequently accidents happen and the serious impact they have on our communities.

• Highest Fatality Rate in the Nation: Last year, Mississippi had the highest traffic fatality rate in the entire country.
• A Significant Gap: Our state’s rate of 1.79 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled is substantially higher than the national average of 1.2.
• A Troubling Long-Term Trend: Despite some recent progress, over the past decade, the total number of traffic fatalities in Mississippi increased by 19%.
• A Staggering Financial Impact: The total cost of fatal and serious traffic crashes in Mississippi last year is estimated at $14.1 billion, a figure that includes economic costs and the value of lost quality of life.

These numbers highlight a difficult reality for drivers in Jackson and across the state. Every statistic represents a person, a family, and a community that has been deeply affected by a sudden and preventable collision.

Jackson, Mississippi Car Accident FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions we receive from people who have been injured in a car accident.

Contact Our Jackson Car Accident Lawyers Today

After a serious car accident, you need a law firm that will put you first. At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we are committed to fighting for the rights of injured people in Jackson and across Mississippi. Our compassionate team is ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options.

Don't let an insurance company decide your future. Let us stand up for you and pursue the full and fair compensation you are owed. Your fight is our fight. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We are available 24/7 to take your call.

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