Have you suffered injuries in a motor vehicle crash that happened on an interstate in Mississippi? If so, the at-fault driver could owe you money for your medical bills, vehicle damage, pain and suffering, and more. An experienced Mississippi car accident attorney from Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman can help you navigate the insurance and legal claims process to demand the financial resources you need for your recovery. Contact us for a free initial case review with an interstate accidents lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Common Types and Causes of Interstate Accidents
Common examples of the kinds of accidents that happen on the interstate include:
- Sideswipe collisions
- Road-departure accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Multi-vehicle/pile-up collisions
Many accidents on the interstate occur because motorists act carelessly or aggressively, such as by:
- Speeding or driving too fast for weather, road, or traffic conditions
- Tailgating/following too closely
- Reckless driving, including swerving between lanes or excessive speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Drowsy/fatigued driving
- Changing lanes without signaling or checking mirrors
- Unsafe passing
Injuries That Occur in Interstate Accidents
Accidents that happen on interstates tend to involve more catastrophic collisions due to the higher speeds involved. These high-impact crashes result in injuries like:
- Broken bones
- Dislocated joints
- Ligament, tendon, and muscle injuries
- Whiplash
- Nerve damage
- Spinal injuries, including herniated disc injuries or spinal cord injuries/paralysis
- Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
- Facial injuries and scarring
- Burns from post-crash vehicle files
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputation, dismemberment, or limb loss
What Should You Do After an Accident on the Interstate?
If you’ve been hurt in an accident on an interstate highway, you can take the following actions to protect yourself and your right to fair compensation:
- Report the accident to the state police and request a copy of the police crash report.
- Seek prompt medical attention and follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
- Notify your auto insurance provider, but do not say anything that might suggest you were at fault.
- Request copies of medical records of your treatment.
- Keep all bills, invoices, and receipts from your recovery in an evidence file along with your medical records, the police crash report, and interactions with your insurer.
Finally, contact Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman as soon as possible for a free consultation, and bring your evidence file with you to the meeting. We can review your situation and advise you on your options for pursuing fair compensation.
Who Can You Hold Liable for an Interstate Accident?
Anyone who contributed to the accident that injured you could be at least partially liable for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances, these liable parties might include:
- Another driver: A motorist who causes a crash on the interstate because of their negligent or reckless driving will bear liability for the losses suffered by anyone injured in the accident.
- The at-fault driver’s employer: When a driver causes an accident while on the interstate for work, their employer may bear liability for injuries and losses that result from the crash.
- A manufacturer of a defective vehicle or auto part: A manufacturer might be liable when an interstate accident occurs because of a defect in a vehicle or component it designed or produced. For example, if an accident happens because a tire experiences a blowout or tread separation, the tire’s manufacturer could be liable for the accident.
- A road construction company: Construction companies working on interstates have a duty to keep their sites safe by posting signage, controlling traffic, and keeping roads clear of hazards. They might be to blame for an interstate accident that occurs because a contractor negligently leaves equipment or debris on the roadway or has inadequate signs or road lines to advise motorists of lane shifts or altered traffic patterns.
Compensation Available in a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim
If someone else is liable for the interstate accident that injured you, they could owe you money for the following losses:
- Costs of vehicle repairs or reimbursement for your car’s value if totaled in the accident
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses
- Costs of long-term disability care, including home health care, replacement services, and disability accommodations
- Lost wages/income after missing time from work or going on part-time/light-duty
- Lost future earning capacity and employment benefits if you become disabled from your job or other work
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life caused by prolonged or permanent disabilities and visible scarring or disfigurement
Deadlines for Filing Compensation Claims After an Interstate Accident
Under Mississippi’s statute of limitations on injury claims, you typically have three years after an interstate accident to file a lawsuit against the person or parties responsible for the crash. While this may seem like plenty of time, there are practical reasons to get started on your case immediately. Not only will you have access to more evidence, but your attorney will have more time to build their case and negotiate a settlement. Don’t put your financial recovery at risk – get in touch with a lawyer today.
Why Choose Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman?
There are many personal injury law firms in North Mississippi that would be happy to handle your motor vehicle accident case. However, when you’re dealing with severe injuries from a devastating crash on the interstate, you don’t need just any law firm – you need one that will do everything it can to get you the money you need. For years, accident victims have turned to the lawyers of Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman for dedicated legal representation and support because:
- We treat clients with the compassion and respect they deserve and need during trying times. Our firm makes them our top priority by offering excellent legal counsel and fighting to secure the best possible outcome for their injury claims.
- Our firm protects accident victims from insurers and other parties who might try to take advantage of them during a vulnerable time.
- We commit ourselves fully to every case we take. You will never feel like a second-class person or just another case number at our firm.
- Our attorneys will fight as hard as it takes to get you the results our clients deserve, even if that means going to court and trial. We won’t rest in our pursuit of justice on your behalf.
Contact Our Firm for a Free Case Evaluation
If you’ve been hurt in an auto accident on the interstate in North Mississippi, you deserve fair compensation from those responsible. Contact Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a seasoned interstate accident attorney, and find out how we can help you demand the money you need to move on with your life.
