A night out in Jackson should never end with a stranger's reckless choice changing your life forever. If you or someone you love has been hurt by an impaired driver, the team at Richard Schwartz & Associates is here to listen, support you, and fight for the recovery you deserve.
As a trusted Jackson drunk driving accident lawyer team with more than 40 years of combined experience serving Mississippi families, we know how devastating these crashes can be, both physically and emotionally.
You did nothing wrong. Someone else made the dangerous decision to get behind the wheel after drinking, and now you are left with medical bills, lost wages, and pain you never asked for. We believe you deserve answers, accountability, and a clear path forward.
Our team handles drunk driving injury claims throughout the Jackson metro area, from Fondren to Belhaven, Byram to Ridgeland, and across all of Hinds County. Call us today at (601) 800-5559 for a free, no-pressure consultation. We are available 24/7, and you owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Why Choose Us as Your Jackson Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Choosing the right legal team after a drunk driving crash matters. You need attorneys who understand Mississippi law, know the local courts, and treat you like family rather than a case file. Here is what sets our firm apart:
- More than 40 years of combined experience handling personal injury claims across Mississippi
- Over $1 billion recovered for injured clients and their families
- Recognized by Attorneys and Practice Magazine as one of Mississippi's top personal injury firms
- No fees unless we win your case, so you can focus on healing
- Free case evaluations with no pressure and no obligation
- Available 24/7 by phone, text, or in-person at our Jackson office
- Deep community roots in Jackson and across the state, with a long history of pro bono service
We treat every client with compassion and honesty. We will explain your options in plain language, answer your questions whenever they come up, and keep you informed every step of the way. When you trust us with your case, you can focus on healing while we handle the legal pressure.
Call (601) 800-5559 today to speak with a Jackson drunk driving accident lawyer who truly cares.
Understanding Drunk Driving Accidents in Jackson
Drunk driving crashes are different from typical car accidents. The injuries tend to be more severe, the emotional toll is heavier, and the legal questions can be more layered. In Mississippi, driving under the influence is taken seriously by law enforcement, prosecutors, and civil courts.
Under Mississippi Code Section 63-11-30, a driver is considered legally impaired if their blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 percent or higher. Commercial drivers face a stricter limit of 0.04 percent, and drivers under 21 can be charged at just 0.02 percent.
When someone violates this law and causes a crash, they can face criminal penalties and civil liability for the harm they caused.
Jackson sees its share of impaired driving incidents, particularly along busy corridors like I-55, I-20, Lakeland Drive, and County Line Road. Late nights and weekends near entertainment districts can be especially risky. No matter where the crash happened, our job is to gather the evidence, identify every responsible party, and pursue the full compensation you are owed.
Common Causes of Drunk Driving Crashes
Impairment affects judgment, reaction time, and coordination. Some of the most common ways drunk drivers cause serious crashes include:
- Drifting between lanes or into oncoming traffic
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Driving the wrong way on one-way streets or highway ramps
- Speeding or driving far below the posted limit
- Failing to brake in time at intersections
- Hitting parked vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists
- Falling asleep at the wheel
Each of these behaviors can lead to catastrophic injuries. When you work with our team, we examine police reports, breathalyzer and blood test results, witness statements, and any available video footage to build the strongest possible case for you.
Injuries Often Caused by Drunk Drivers
Because impaired drivers often travel at high speeds and fail to brake, the injuries they cause tend to be severe. Many of our clients face long recoveries, multiple surgeries, and life-changing physical limitations.
Common injuries we see in drunk driving cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Broken bones and crushed limbs
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Severe burns from vehicle fires
- Whiplash and serious neck injuries
- Facial trauma and scarring
- Emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress
These injuries can mean weeks or months away from work, ongoing therapy, and out-of-pocket costs that pile up quickly.
Our team of drunk driving accident lawyers works with medical professionals and life-care planners to fully document what your recovery will require, both now and in the future. That way, we can pursue compensation that reflects the true cost of what happened to you.
Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
Mississippi law allows injured victims of drunk drivers to seek both economic and non-economic damages. Every case is different, but the goal is always the same: to put you in the strongest financial position possible as you heal. Compensation in a drunk driving case may include:
- Past and future medical bills, including surgeries, therapy, and medication
- Lost wages and loss of future earning ability
- Property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
- Costs related to in-home care or rehabilitation
In some drunk driving cases, punitive damages may also be available. These are extra damages designed to punish especially reckless behavior and discourage others from doing the same.
Drunk driving often qualifies because the choice to drive while impaired shows a clear disregard for the safety of others. We will review your case carefully to determine whether punitive damages may apply.
Who Can Be Held Responsible
The drunk driver is usually the main person responsible for the crash. However, other parties may share responsibility under Mississippi law. Possible responsible parties include:
- The impaired driver and their insurance company
- A bar, restaurant, or social host who served the driver while visibly intoxicated
- An employer if the driver was on the job at the time
- A vehicle owner who knowingly let an impaired person drive their car
Mississippi has a limited dram shop law, which can sometimes allow recovery against businesses that served alcohol to a clearly intoxicated person who then caused harm.
Identifying every possible source of recovery is one of the most important things our team does in a drunk driving case. The more carefully we investigate, the better positioned you are to receive full and fair compensation.
What Happens After a Drunk Driving Crash
After a serious crash, life can feel like it is moving in two directions at once. You are trying to recover physically while also dealing with insurance adjusters, repair shops, and bills you never expected. It is a lot, and you do not have to handle it alone.
When you call Richard Schwartz & Associates, we step in right away. We can communicate with the insurance companies for you, request the police report, secure surveillance video before it disappears, and connect you with trusted medical providers if you need care. Our goal is to take pressure off your shoulders so you can focus on your health and your family.
We also help families who have lost a loved one in a drunk driving crash. Wrongful death claims in Mississippi are governed by Mississippi Code Section 11-7-13, and they allow certain family members to seek compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship.
While no amount of money can ever make up for losing someone you love, holding the responsible party accountable can bring a measure of justice and stability for your family's future.
Mississippi's Time Limit for Drunk Driving Injury Claims
Mississippi sets a strict deadline, called a statute of limitations, for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a claim under Mississippi Code Section 15-1-49. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is generally three years as well, though specific circumstances can change that.
Three years may sound like plenty of time, but evidence fades quickly. Memories blur, security footage gets erased, and witnesses move away. The sooner you reach out to our team, the more we can do to protect your case. Even if you are not sure whether you want to pursue legal action, a free consultation costs nothing and gives you clear answers about your options.
Why Acting Quickly Matters
Reaching out early gives our team room to work on your behalf. Acting quickly allows us to:
- Preserve key evidence before it disappears
- Interview witnesses while their memories are fresh
- Secure traffic camera and surveillance footage
- Document your injuries and medical treatment from the start
- Stop insurance adjusters from pressuring you into a low settlement
- Make sure no important deadlines slip past
Even a short delay can affect the strength of a case. If you have been hurt by a drunk driver in Jackson, please do not wait to get answers about your rights.
How Our Team Builds a Strong Drunk Driving Case
Every drunk driving case we handle is built on careful preparation. We do not cut corners, and we do not assume the insurance company will offer what you deserve without a fight. Our process includes:
- Gathering the official crash report and any criminal records related to the DUI
- Reviewing breathalyzer results, blood tests, and field sobriety test outcomes
- Interviewing witnesses, first responders, and bartenders if relevant
- Working with accident reconstruction professionals when needed
- Documenting all medical treatment and projected future care
- Calculating lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Negotiating firmly with insurance companies
- Preparing every case as if it will go to trial
This preparation matters. Insurance companies often take a case more seriously when they know your attorney is ready to go to court. Our reputation across Jackson and Mississippi means insurers know we are not afraid to push for what our clients are owed.
FAQs Answered by Our Jackson Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from people considering legal help after a drunk driving crash in the Jackson area.
Should I still file a claim if the drunk driver was arrested?
Yes. The criminal case against the drunk driver is separate from your civil claim for compensation. A criminal conviction can actually help support your civil case, but it does not automatically pay for your medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. A civil claim is how injured victims pursue financial recovery from the at-fault party and their insurance.
What if the drunk driver does not have insurance or has very little coverage?
You may still have options. Your own auto policy may include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage that can help pay for your damages. Other parties, such as a bar that overserved the driver or an employer, may also share responsibility. Our team will look at every possible source of recovery to give you the best chance at full compensation.
How much does it cost to hire a Jackson drunk driving accident lawyer from your firm?
Nothing upfront. We handle drunk driving injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. Your initial consultation is free, and there is no obligation to move forward after we talk.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
Mississippi follows a pure comparative negligence rule. That means you can still recover compensation even if you share some of the blame, though your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you have any concerns about your role in the crash, please tell us so we can give you honest guidance.
Can I still recover compensation if my loved one passed away in a drunk driving crash?
Yes. Mississippi law allows certain family members to pursue a wrongful death claim after a fatal drunk driving crash. Compensation may include funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. We handle these cases with care, sensitivity, and a commitment to seeking justice for your family.
Contact a Jackson Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Today
You did not deserve this, and you do not have to face what comes next on your own. The team at Richard Schwartz & Associates is ready to listen, answer your questions, and stand beside you every step of the way. We have spent more than 40 years fighting for injured Mississippians, and we are proud to call Jackson part of our home.
There is no cost to talk with us, and you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call our Jackson office today at (601) 800-5559 or reach out through our website to schedule your free, confidential case evaluation. Your fight is our fight, and we are ready to get to work for you.