Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Jackson

The law requires drivers to exercise caution while driving. But the truth is, many drivers aren't as careful as they should, leading to severe accidents or death. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in this city include:

• Distracted driving: The use of cell phones while driving is one of the most common causes of distracted driving in Jackson and all over the country. Although it is unlawful to use cell phones and other handheld devices while driving in Mississippi, many drivers do it anyway, putting the lives of pedestrians and other drivers at risk. According to a 2011 report, 10% of fatal accidents in the state involved distracted driving. 
• Driving under the influence: Although Mississippi has strict laws against driving under the influence, the cases of pedestrian accidents caused by DUI driving are still on the rise in Jackson and across the state. 
• Speeding: Accidents are more common in school zones, neighborhoods, public playgrounds, and other areas with speed restrictions. 
• Inexperienced driving: Some inexperienced drivers tend to panic behind the wheel when they encounter pedestrians, leading to severe accidents. 
• Negligent driving: This includes failure to observe traffic rules. For instance, some drivers intentionally run red lights, fail to stop at stop signs, refuse to yield to pedestrians, etc. 
• Weather conditions: Bad weather conditions such as heavy snow, ice, fog, or even rain can cause serious pedestrian accidents, especially if the driver is speeding. 

Here's what to do if you or your loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Jackson: 

Seek Help 

Seek immediate help or request someone to do so if you're unable to. Ask them to call 911 and request both the police and an ambulance at the scene. 

Document the Accident 

Take pictures of your injuries if possible and document how you feel. If not possible, ask witnesses or bystanders to take pictures of you and the scene. 

Collect Witness Information 

Gather the contact information of the witnesses or bystanders, if any. Their testimonies could be useful when pursuing a claim or lawsuit against the negligent driver. 

Be Careful Who You Talk To

Avoid discussing fault at the scene of the accident. Anything you say at the scene can be used against you when you file a claim against the other driver's insurance company. Therefore, after the accident, the most important thing is to ensure that you're safe. 

Visit the Doctor 

Seek medical evaluation whenever you get the chance. This should be a priority even if you don't suffer serious injuries.

When you get involved in a car accident but don't seem to show any signs of injuries right after, this could mean two things. Firstly, it could mean that you don't have any significant injuries. Alternatively, it could also mean that you've suffered internal injuries. Either way, it's essential to involve a medical examiner. This healthcare provider is the only one who can make such a conclusion about your injuries. 

Inform Your Insurer

Notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Additionally, it's important to note that car accidents claims are time-barred. The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to file a successful claim.

Avoid revealing too much information about the accident, especially without legal advice. Whether it's your insurance provider or the at-fault driver's, you need to understand the dos and don'ts of discussing car accidents with insurance companies.

Remember, insurance claims adjusters work for insurance companies. Therefore, their primary duty is to minimize the value of your claim or even dismiss it if possible.

So when a claims adjuster calls you to find out more about the accident, you should only provide basic information such as the location, time, and date of the accident. Then, ask them to speak to your pedestrian accident attorney if they need further details. 

Talk to an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Jackson

That's where Morgan & Morgan comes in. Our law firm has been representing pedestrians involved in car accidents all over the US for more than three decades. We have an army of over 1,000 attorneys specializing in different areas of personal injury, including car accidents.

Having a Morgan & Morgan car accident lawyer on your case sends a strong message to insurance providers. This is because we have a proven track record of helping our clients recover what they're entitled to as compensation after such accidents.

For more than three years, we've dealt with all kinds of bullies in the insurance industry. As a result, we know their tactics and how to counter them. Here are some examples of common tactics insurance providers use to avoid paying out what you're entitled to as compensation if involved in a car accident: 

Catching You Off Guard

When insurance companies realize that their insured driver is at fault for the accident, they'll most likely contact you right after the accident. Then, they'll try to convince you to accept a settlement offer during the initial phone call. 

They'll call you right after the accident because they know you're still in shock. As a result, you won't be able to make informed decisions. By doing so, they'll be hoping that you haven't had a chance to speak to a Morgan & Morgan car accident lawyer. 

Asking You to Sign Documents

Insurance companies will also try to convince you to sign certain documents after the accident. For example, they'll have you sign a release of settlement form if you accept their settlement offer. This form states that you can't sue the insurance company over the same claim. 

So if your medical expenses are more than what the insurance company offers, you can't file another claim for the same accident because you already signed the release. In fact, the only time you may be able to file a claim for the same accident is if the insurance company committed fraud or if the accident involved more than one vehicle. In that case, you may be able to sue the driver of the second vehicle for the same accident. 

Requesting a Recorded Statement

Insurance companies know that they can use your recorded statement against you if you file a claim or lawsuit after a car accident. But this isn't something you expect them to tell you. 

The insurer will most likely send you a link to an app or website requesting you to write a statement regarding the accident. Your answer to this request should always be “no.” Don't put anything in writing without speaking to an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.

Requesting Your Medical Authorization Release 

A medical authorization release form allows any third party to access a patient's health records. When insurance companies gain access to your medical records, they'll try to dig for reasons to jeopardize your claim.

Here's a hypothetical example.

In 2010, John slipped and fell while playing football, hurting his back. He visited a chiropractor, and a few months later, he fully recovered from the back pain. Then, in 2022, John was walking down the street when a negligent driver ran him over. He suffered fresh back pain as a result of the accident. 

Realizing that their insured driver was at fault, the insurer asked John to sign a medical authorization release form, permitting them to access his medical records. When John filed a claim to recover medical expenses incurred due to the accident, the insurance company disputed the claim. Instead, they alleged that John had a history of back pain and that they weren't responsible for his latest back injuries. 

Offering a Quick Settlement

Insurance companies will most likely try to convince you to accept a quick settlement. This is because they know that if you involve a pedestrian accident attorney, they'll most likely pay more than the initial offer. For instance, at Morgan & Morgan, we've helped clients recover millions as compensation after receiving an initial offer of less than $100 from some insurance companies. 

These companies will also attempt to narrow down your compensation to a particular scope, precisely your medical bills. But when you work with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney, you'll realize that you deserve compensation for more than just your medical bills.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, a Morgan & Morgan attorney can help you recover the following damages:

• Past, current, and future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of earning potential
• Loss of income
• Funeral expenses if you've lost a loved one due to the accident
• Disability
• Permanent disfigurement

And so much more. 

Denying Liability

In complex cases, most insurance companies will deny liability, forcing you to prove that their driver was at fault for the accident. However, denying liability doesn't necessarily mean that the insurance company doesn't owe you any compensation. Instead, this tactic gives you one more reason to contact a Morgan & Morgan pedestrian accident attorney. 

An attorney can help build a strong case against the negligent driver, forcing their insurance company to settle. In fact, some insurance companies deny liability when they realize you don't have an attorney. That's usually their first response as they wait for your next move. They assume that you don't know your rights, and without proper legal representation, your chances of filing a successful claim are low. 

Daring You to Go to Court

When insurance companies deny your claim, they'll most likely ask you to go to court if you're not satisfied with their decision. They do this hoping that you'll consider the costs involved in filing a lawsuit against them.

But that's not all. When you're a pedestrian accident victim, chances are you're in so much pain. The last thing you want is to deal with defense attorneys in court while recovering from your injuries. The same applies if you've lost a loved one due to the accident. 

Either way, court cases can be expensive and overwhelming. Insurance companies know this fact, and that's why they will dare you to go to court. 

You don't need to worry about the entire process of filing a claim or lawsuit when you have Morgan & Morgan by your side. If you're worried about expensive legal costs, you'll be glad to discover that you won't have to pay us anything unless we win the case. Similarly, if you're concerned about the exhaustion and frustration of pursuing a claim or lawsuit, our attorneys are here to help. We will fight for your rights as you focus on healing and recovery.

We'll also negotiate the proper settlement for you, and if the insurance company isn't willing to settle, they'll see us in court. 

As the largest personal injury law firm in the United States, we have unlimited legal resources to fight for you. We're not one of those law firms that settle for low-ball offers to close the case and move on to the next. Instead, we treat every case with the care and attention it deserves. 

Additionally, because we have the resources to fight for you, we're never concerned about different tactics insurance companies use to jeopardize a claim. Our name speaks for itself regarding personal injury litigation all over the United States. 

Don't let insurance companies intimidate you in your pursuit of compensation for their insured's negligence. Instead, let Morgan & Morgan fight for you as you focus on recovering from your injuries. Call our Jackson, Mississippi office at (601) 949-3388 today to talk to one of our legal representatives about your case.