Car accidents happen every day, resulting in significant injuries for those involved. If a distracted driver was responsible for your accident and injuries, you need the support of a Jackson distracted driving accident attorney. Our Jackson car accident lawyer with Hearn Law Firm is prepared to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.
Distracted Driving in Jackson Driving Accidents
Distracted driving behaviors have been a topic of public safety and legislation for over a decade. However, it is still one of the most common reasons for motor vehicle accidents. Reports from the Mississippi Department of Health say distracted driving accounts for 17% of all injuries and 10% of fatalities. Distracted driving can encompass many behaviors ranging from:
- Passenger distractions
- Emotionally charged conversations
- Daydreaming
- Sending messages from a device
- Adjusting radio or air controls
- Referencing or adjusting your navigation systems
- Eating or drinking
- Retrieving items from the floor or other parts of the vehicle
Mississippi distracted driving legislation can support your claim for compensation for a distracted driving accident if the other person was responsible. According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the state has passed legislation making it illegal to operate a phone or device in most capacities while also operating a motor vehicle.
Distracted Driving Accidents May Be Uniquely Dangerous
Distracted driving can pose a slightly unique risk in car accidents, as shown in the fatality rates discussed above. This risk comes from several sources. The first is that when drivers fail to pay attention behind the wheel, they may increase their speed without realizing it. Increased speed can dramatically increase the severity of the accident and resulting injuries.
Similarly, suppose the driver cannot identify a potential hazard early because they are distracted. In that case, they often can’t slow or stop adequately. This failure to slow can mean the collision occurs at higher speeds than someone with adequate time to stop or avoid the hazard. Failing to notice what is happening may also lead a driver to overcorrect when they do notice. This overcorrection may lead the vehicle to swerve into another lane or otherwise make the situation more dangerous.
Compensation in a Jackson Distracted Driving Case
Most personal injury lawsuits aim to recover compensation for damages the responsible party caused. Our team at Hearn Law Firm is prepared to aggressively negotiate to recover your compensation and try your case with a judge if that is what it takes. The injuries and severity of every distracted driving case are different, but some of the damages we may discuss claiming include the following:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost Wages
- Future medical costs related to your injuries
- Pain and Suffering
The compensation we claim is most often directly related to the cost of your injuries and how significantly it affected your life. In some cases, when the responsible parties behaved with malice or particularly extreme negligence, the judge may order them to pay punitive damages as punishment. However, it should be noted these are not typically damages that would be negotiated in a settlement but often due to a trial. Regardless of your path, Hearn Law Firm will fight for the compensation you deserve.