Accidents happen all the time. But what happens when someone is responsible for these incidents? You have the right to take legal action and make a financial recovery for your damages.
Often, you may be left with substantial medical bills, lost income, and other expenses related to the incident. At Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, we are here to help you take the next steps in your case.
A Madison, MS personal injury lawyer is ready to protect your rights. We want to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Over the years, we have handled thousands of injury cases, securing justice for our clients. Whether you have been injured in a car accident or a slip and fall, you have options. Reach out to our law firm to find out how we can assist with your case.
What You Need to Know About Personal Injury Law in Mississippi
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that accidental injuries caused 25.5 million emergency room visits and 224,935 fatalities in 2022.
If you have been injured due to the wrongful actions of another person or party, then you have the right to pursue compensation against them. Mississippi follows a comparative negligence standard.
With that, even if you share some fault in the incident, you may still recover damages. Keep in mind the compensation is reduced based on your level of fault.
In these cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to take legal action. If you fail to file a claim or lawsuit, you could miss out on your chance to receive compensation.
For that reason, you will want to reach out to a Madison, MS personal injury lawyer to learn more.
Understanding the Role of Negligence in Injury Cases
All of these cases center on negligence. What is it? Negligence can happen when a person or entity fails to exercise a standard level of care that a reasonable person does under similar circumstances. Because of this breach of duty, someone suffers some type of harm.
When pursuing an injury claim, it’s your responsibility as the injury victim to prove four elements, which are:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
Negligence is the focus of many personal injury cases, such as the ones above. Proving it allows the injured party to seek compensation. In these cases, you can hold the negligent party accountable for the harm they’ve caused.
Types of Madison, MS Personal Injury Claims We Handle
While negligence may result in a wide range of situations resulting in adverse outcomes, some of the most common ones we see in our office include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- Pedestrian accidents
- Premises liability
- Product liability
Are you not seeing the type of accident that harmed you or a loved one above? Reach out to us nonetheless. It’s likely that a Madison, MS personal injury lawyer on our team can also help you recover compensation for your losses. Initial case consultations with our attorneys are always free.
Compensation You Can Recover by Pursuing a Mississippi Injury Case
After an accident, you might have plenty of expenses related to someone else’s negligence. In these situations, many of these expenses are unexpected and can put a burden on you and your family.
With assistance from a Madison, MS personal injury attorney, you might be able to collect:
- Medical expenses: Compensation for medical costs, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
- Lost wages: Reimbursement for income lost due to injury and any loss of future earning capacity.
- Property damage: Compensation for any property that was damaged in the incident, such as a vehicle in a car accident.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and the emotional distress caused by the injury.
In some situations, punitive damages may also be awarded. Many times, these awards are designed to punish reckless or malicious behavior. However, these are rare and only happen in cases involving extreme negligence.
Know That Insurance Companies Are Working Against Your Interests
When you file a claim, you often will need to work with the insurance company. While you might think they have your best interests in mind, they don’t. These insurers are more concerned with their bottom line. Thus, they may:
Make Low Initial Settlement Offers
When facing medical bills and other expenses, some claimants may want to take the first offer. Insurance companies know this and will usually offer quick, low settlements. Unfortunately, when you accept a low offer, you forfeit the right to seek additional compensation.
Question Liability
Insurers may attempt to shift some or all of the blame to you to reduce their liability. However, with Mississippi’s comparative negligence laws, you can still recover some compensation.
Dispute Injury Severity
Sometimes, insurance may believe that injuries are not as severe as claimed or question whether they are directly related to the accident. In many cases, they can also downplay the need for ongoing treatment. That means they could deny claims that cover the costs of rehabilitation, long-term care, or pain and suffering.
What You Can Do To Ensure an Insurer Doesn’t Mistreat You After You’re Hurt
Fortunately, you can take steps to protect yourself from being mistreated by insurance companies after your personal injury incident. To do this, you’ll want to:
- Document everything: Keep detailed records of all medical visits, treatments, medications, expenses, and interactions with insurance representatives.
- Limit your communication with others: Avoid making any statements, especially recorded ones, without consulting an injury lawyer in Madison, MS.
- Stay off social media: Never post updates about your activities or the claim, as insurers may monitor your posts.
- Get legal help: An experienced injury attorney like ours can assist with the claims process, counter unfair tactics, and advocate for the full compensation you deserve.
With all that in mind, you need to reach out to an experienced legal team at Madison, MS, personal injury lawyer to handle your claim and help protect your interest against the insurance companies.
Why You Need Legal Help
With all the reasons stated above, you do not want to take on the process by yourself. You need a Madison, MS personal injury lawyer to assist with your case, which begins with a consultation.
The consultation is a no-obligation, confidential meeting where you share details of your injury, and we evaluate the strengths of your case. During this session, we’ll ask about the incident details, your injuries, any medical treatment you’ve received, and your financial losses. Based on this, we’ll give you a clear understanding of your legal rights, potential compensation, and options for proceeding. At the end of the consultation, you’ll have a roadmap for the legal process and insight into what you can expect.
If you hire one of our attorneys, you can additionally expect us to help you with:
Evidence Gathering and Investigation
This phase involves collecting all information and documentation to support your claim. We’ll gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, photos or videos from the scene, and other documentation.
Additionally, we may consult with accident reconstruction experts or medical professionals to substantiate your claim. It’s through analyzing evidence and conducting an investigation that we can establish liability and document your damages. We will ensure that no detail is overlooked and that you’re positioned to pursue maximum compensation.
Negotiation and Settlement Discussions
Many cases can be resolved without going to court. Our goal is to secure a settlement that fairly compensates you for all losses without the added time and stress of a trial.
We’ll handle all communication with the insurance company, countering low-ball offers and presenting a clear case for why you deserve full compensation.
If we reach a fair settlement offer, we’ll present it to you for approval. We work hard to maximize your compensation, sparing you from the frustration of negotiating alone. You can focus on recovery while we deal with insurers.
Taking Your Case to Trial When Necessary
Some insurers refuse to offer fair settlements, making litigation the best option to seek justice and full compensation. We approach every case with the preparedness to go to trial if necessary. We’ll file a lawsuit, represent you in court hearings, and present a compelling case on your behalf.
Our injury attorneys are skilled in courtroom advocacy. We’re committed to making this process as smooth as possible while fighting tirelessly for your rights.
Our Madison, MS Personal Injury Lawyer Is Here To Help
Accidents are a reality in everyday life. Unfortunately, the actions or inactions of others can cause you substantial harm. In turn, that can lead to massive medical bills, lost income, and other monetary losses.
If you are ready to hold those individuals liable for the accident, the team at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC is here to assist.
Navigating the personal injury process can be a challenge. You don’t want to do this on your own. Allow us to handle the insurance companies and other legal teams to get the compensation you deserve.
Now is the time to reach out to our law firm to speak with a Madison, MS personal injury lawyer to discuss your case and move forward with confidence.
