Ocean Springs Car Accident Attorney

If you or your loved one was injured in a car accident, the dedicated Ocean Springs personal injury attorneys at Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC are ready to fight for your legal rights and the compensation you deserve for your losses.  Call us today at (228) 872-8752 or complete our online form.

At Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC, our Ocean Springs car accident attorneys are:

• Experienced;
• Respected;
• Successful;
• Compassionate; and
• Dedicated.

You can put your trust in Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC. Call today and schedule a no-obligation consultation with one of our car accident attorneys.  We will take the time to answer all of your questions and work quickly to resolve your most pressing concerns.

Do not hesitate to speak with a knowledgeable car accident attorney about your claim.  Let Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC start working on your case today.

An Experienced Ocean Springs Car Accident Attorney Can Help

Insurance companies are not on your side.  Their job is to protect their bottom line.  Insurance companies use tactics to pay victims less than they deserve for their losses or deny payment altogether.

The car accident attorneys at Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC understand insurance companies and know their methods.  Allowing us to handle your car accident claim gives you time to focus on your health and physical recovery.

When our firm manages your car accident claim, we do the following, and more, on your behalf:

• Handle all insurance company calls and correspondence;
• Contact accident-related creditors to notify them of a pending personal injury claim;
• Investigate your accident;
• Collect relevant evidence;
• Identify all sources of compensation;
• Consult with needed experts;
• Calculate your total losses and anticipated financial needs;
• Aggressively negotiate with the insurance company to obtain a fair settlement; and
• File and pursue a car accident lawsuit when a settlement is unreachable.

Contact us to learn more about insurance companies and the car accident claims process. We will gladly schedule a case assessment at your convenience by phone, Zoom or FaceTime, or in person.

Causes of Ocean Springs Car Accidents

Mississippi is one of the deadliest places to drive a car in the United States.  It is annually one of the top states in the nation for traffic accident fatalities.  The highest number of traffic fatalities in Mississippi stems from drunk driving accidents.

Other causes of car accidents across Mississippi and in Ocean Springs include:

• Distracted driving;
• Speeding;
• Aggressive driving;
• Ignoring traffic signals;
• Inclement weather;
• Time of day; and
• Drowsy driving.

Types of Ocean Springs Car Accidents

There are three primary classifications of car accidents: head-on collisions, rear-end collisions or side-impact accidents.  Head-on collisions can occur when a driver travels the wrong way down a one-way street or an exit ramp or when a driver crosses the median on a highway.  Head-on collisions are one of the least common car accidents but one of the most deadly.

Rear-end collisions are the most common car accident.  They generally happen at lower speeds and cause more minor damage than other car accidents.  Often rear-end accidents are the result of distracted driving.

Side-impact accidents, also called T-bone accidents or broadside accidents, result when one car fails to yield to another vehicle at an intersection.  The front end of the non-yielding car then impacts the side of the other vehicle.  These accidents, along with head-on collisions, are the most severe injury-causing crashes.

Car Accident Injuries

Regardless of the type of car accident, the resulting injuries may range from minor cuts and bruises to catastrophic and life-changing. Typical car accident injuries include, but are not limited to the following:

• Chest injuries;
• Crushing injuries;
• Broken bones and fractures;
• Head injuries;
• Traumatic brain injury;
• Amputation;
• Spinal cord injury;
• Paralysis; and
• Serious burns.

Car Accident Compensation in Ocean Springs, MS

The costs of car accidents physically, financially, mentally, and emotionally can be exorbitant.  The financial consequences of a car accident alone can leave a victim with tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and expenses.

Compensation in a car accident is meant to make a victim whole again or bring them back as closely as possible to their pre-accident state.  Therefore, car accident damages cover both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are losses that are readily calculable or have fixed dollar amounts.  They include accident-related costs, expenses, and losses.  Commonly awarded economic damages include the following:

• Hospitalization and surgery;
• Medication and medical devices;
• Physical and occupational therapy;
• Psychological counseling;
• Lost income;
• Loss of earning potential; and
• Property damage.

Non-economic damages have no set monetary value and are more difficult to calculate.  These damages compensate intangible, subjective injuries like:

• Pain and suffering;
• Mental and emotional trauma;
• Depression;
• Anxiety;
• PTSD;
• Loss of enjoyment of life;
• Disfigurement and scarring; and
• Loss of consortium.

Experts, therapists, specialists, and psychologists help to assess victim injuries and the impact on the victim’s overall ability to live and enjoy their lives.

Mississippi does not limit the amount of economic damages awarded to car accident victims.  However, the state caps non-economic awards at $1,000,000 in car accident cases.

There are also special types of compensation available for wrongful death lawsuits and extreme cases of recklessness or negligence on behalf of the other party.  In some cases, a victim may be awarded punitive damages according to the defendant’s net worth.  Punitive damages are meant as a deterrent, or a means to punish a defendant for extremely reckless or egregious behavior.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Ocean Springs

There are steps to take after a car accident that can ensure your legal rights and physical well-being are protected.  Only perform these steps if you can do so safely and without endangering yourself or others at the scene.

First, ensure all vehicle passengers are safe and out of harm’s way, then:

• Call for medical help and police assistance;
• Gather photographic evidence, including photos of vehicle damage and locations of the vehicles and accident;
• Ask for contact information from other drivers and witnesses, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and a photograph of the other driver’s license and insurance information;
• Report the accident to your insurance company without admitting fault or placing any blame, merely stating the fact that there was an accident;
• Do not make any recorded statements or sign any documents from the opposing insurance company; and
• Reach out to the experienced car accident attorneys at Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC.

After a car accident, you may have many questions about your options and what you should do next.  Your priority should always be your medical care.  Visit a doctor and address any injuries you sustained in the crash.  Then, contact the attorneys at Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC.

Contact an Ocean Springs Car Accident Lawyer

Our experienced car accident attorneys will review your case, answer your questions, and give you any advice or assistance you need. We have more than two decades of experience to use in helping you with your car accident case. Get in touch at (228) 872-8752 or complete our online form to start your claim and ensure you receive all of the compensation to which you are entitled.