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Gulfport Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents and their resulting injuries are all too common in Gulfport.  If you suffered a serious injury in or lost a loved one to a car accident, call the Gulfport personal injury attorneys at Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC at (228) 872-8752.  You might qualify to receive compensation for your medical expenses, property loss, and other damages.

At Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC, our Gulfport car accident attorneys serve individuals and families just like yours who are facing legal challenges. We provide:

  • Compassion and empathy;
  • Honesty and knowledge; and
  • Resources and manpower.

Our attorneys will go the extra mile to get the best result possible in your car accident case.  Our initial consultation is at no cost to you, and at Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC, we only collect legal fees when we win your car accident case.

 

Please speak with one of our Gulfport car accident lawyers at your convenience by phone, Zoom or FaceTime, or in person.

Gulfport Car Accident Resources

Let an Experienced Gulfport Car Accident Attorney Help You

After a car accident, you may be dealing with any number of issues and stressors.  Retaining an experienced car accident attorney takes the legal stress of your car accident off of your shoulders so you can focus on healing from your injuries and recovering your life.

Your car accident lawyer from Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC, will do the following, and more, on your behalf:

  • Protect you from any tactics used by insurance companies and their adjusters;
  • Estimate the value of your claim to ensure it covers both current and future accident-related costs;
  • Field all calls and correspondence from the insurance company and accident-related creditors;
  • Review all relevant evidence, including police reports, medical records, traffic camera footage, and witness testimony;
  • Hire needed experts;
  • File your civil car accident lawsuit;
  • Negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf; or
  • Take your case to trial.

Always seek the advice of an experienced attorney like those at Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC, before speaking with the opposing insurance company.  Any statements you make could affect the outcome of your case or even cause your claim to end in a denial.

The Leading Causes of Car Accidents in Mississippi

Overall, Mississippi has the highest number of fatal car crashes per capita in the United States.  The leading cause of car accidents in Mississippi is drunk driving.  Nearly 30 percent of all of Mississippi’s traffic fatalities involve a drunk driver.  Driving under the influence of alcohol causes reduced reaction times, falling asleep behind the wheel, and unnecessary risk-taking while driving.

In Gulfport in 2019, there were eight fatal accidents, two of which involved a drunk driver.  There were twenty-two people total in fatality-related crashes.

Speeding and distracted driving round out the top three leading causes of Mississippi car accidents.  Speeding limits the ability to stop or react if there is a change in traffic conditions or a sudden road hazard and accounted for nearly 15,000 of Mississippi’s traffic fatalities in 2019.

Distracted driving occurs anytime a driver’s attention is diverted from the task of driving.  Distracted driving can include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Speaking with backseat passengers;
  • Texting;
  • Eating;
  • Applying cosmetics;
  • Reading;
  • Disciplining children;
  • Checking on pets; and
  • Using GPS.

Approximately 8.5 percent of Mississippi’s fatality accidents in 2019 were due to distracted driving.

Other Causes of Gulfport, MS Car Accidents

There are numerous causes of car accidents.  Some car accidents cannot be avoided even by staying alert and driving defensively – especially when a defective part or dangerous equipment on a vehicle causes the crash.

Some of the most common defective vehicle equipment includes:

  • Braking systems;
  • Airbags;
  • Seat Belt latches;
  • Steering components;
  • Tires;
  • Windshield wipers;
  • Headlights and taillights; and
  • Fuel systems.

Car parts manufacturers and car companies are liable for defective car parts and dangerous car equipment, and any resulting damages.

A government agency may be at-fault for a car accident.  A government agency that neglects roads or creates poorly designed intersections may be liable for accidents their poor maintenance or planning cause.

There are special time frames for suing a government agency.  Therefore, victims should see an experienced car accident attorney immediately if they suspect a government agency is responsible for their crash and injuries.

Gulfport car accident attorney

2020 Mississippi Car Accident Statistics

Serious and even fatal car accident occur every year in Mississippi. Unfortunately, when looking at the 2020 report released by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, 2020 saw a massive spike in both serious and fatal car accidents in Mississippi. Here are some key findings:

  • The rate of serious injuries increased from *3.84 in 2019 to 9.15 in 2020 (rates calculated per 100 million Vehicle Miles Traveled or VMT).
  • The overall fatality rate rose from 1.56 in 2019 to 1.9 in 2020, a staggering increase when you see the graph below.

graph of the fatality rate in MS car accidents

Any time there are an increase in serious injuries from car accidents, more personal injury lawyers in Gulfport and surrounding areas are needed to fight for closure and compensation. Additionally, take a look at our firms’ analysis of 45 years of fatal car crash data to learn even more.

Car Accident Injuries

Regardless of the cause of a car accident, car accident injuries vary greatly.  Some injuries are minor and only involve bumps, bruises, and scratches, while others are lifelong and cause permanent brain damage and paralysis.

Serious car accident injuries include:

  • Broken ribs and internal injuries;
  • Crushing injuries;
  • Head and neck injuries;
  • Brain injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI);
  • Amputation;
  • Back and spinal cord injuries, including paralysis; and
  • Disfiguring burns.

Car Accident Compensation

Medical care for serious car accident injuries is comprehensive and costly requiring multiple and perhaps ongoing visits to primary and specialty care doctors and therapists.  Car accident victims may be unable to return to their previous occupations or be unable to work at all.

These drastic life changes can alter a car accident victim’s life profoundly, creating a need for the following types of recovery:

  • Current and future medical care;
  • Lost wages;
  • Loss of earning capacity;
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation;
  • Occupational therapy;
  • Mental and emotional trauma;
  • Pain and suffering;
  • Psychological counseling;
  • Loss of consortium; and
  • Wrongful death.

If you would like to learn more about any of the above compensation for victims of car accidents, or special types of compensation available for wrongful death lawsuits, call Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC.

Mississippi caps (limits) certain types of recovery and places time limits to file a claim for car accident compensation.  Do not lose your opportunity to regain the costs of your car accident and hold any reckless parties responsible for your injuries.

Contact a Gulfport Car Accident Attorney

You deserve excellent legal representation. Contact Haug, Farrar & Franco, PLLC, today.  Our car accident attorneys will keep you updated on your case progress, respond quickly to your questions, and provide you with the representation you expect from a premier legal firm.