Mississippi Injury Lawyer Blog

Passenger sues Morgan Freeman for Mississippi car accident

Demaris Meyer sued Morgan Freeman in Federal Court in Mississippi for injuries she received in a one-car accident where Mr. Freeman was driving and Ms. Meyer was a passenger. Both parties were injured in the accident. In the complaint filed in the Northern District of Mississippi, Ms. Meyer alleges that Morgan Freeman was drinking prior to accident.

Mississippi motorcycle accidents are some of the most dangerous accidents

Motorcycle accidents are a serious problem. In the past decade, motorcycle accident fatalities have risen 144%. There were 4,800 motorcycle fatalities in 2006, and 5,200 motorcycle fatalities in 2007, indicating an upward trend that is likely to continue through 2008 and beyond. Statistically speaking, you're up to 25 times more likely to suffer a fatal motorcycle accident than a fatal car accident, and your chance of serious injury is far higher in a motorcycle accident than automobile accident.

Why are motorcycle accidents so dangerous?

Statistics vary from year to year, but anywhere from half to two-thirds of motorcycle accidents don't involve another vehicle at all. The nature of motorcycle accidents makes it far more likely for you to collide with an inanimate object, such as a tree, guardrail or other non-moving structure, than if you were in an auto accident.

Motorcycles are far more prone to loss of control than automobiles due to road conditions or even bike malfunctions, but motorcycles are also vulnerable to other vehicles on the road. In a motorcycle accident, you don't have the benefit of walls of steel surrounding you and protecting you. Any little injury is amplified, as you are likely to get thrown, struck or pinned in a motorcycle accident.

Because motorcycle accidents can have so many causes, you should consult a lawyer. You need an attorney experienced in handling Mississippi motorcycle accidents. It's well-known in the personal injury field that motorcycle accidents have their basis in many different causes. If you're involved in a motorcycle accident, it's not uncommon to encounter an auto driver attempting to escape liability by citing poor road conditions or other considerations common to motorcycle accidents. If you're injured in a motorcycle accident, it's important to have a good lawyer on your side to look out for these common defenses and ferret out the truth of the situation. Contact the Kisselburgh Law Firm online or call us at 601-936-4040 to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.

What to do if you're in an automobile accident in Mississippi

No one expects to be in an auto accident. It's not something you typically prepare for, and it can be quite shocking when it actually happens to you. Say you're driving on I-55 in Mississippi, and you get in an automobile accident - would you know what to do?

Call the police.

Even if it appears to be a minor accident, call the police. Let them decide how serious the accident is. Not all auto damage shows on the surface, so you could easily take your car in for an appraisal and find out the damage is far more extensive than you expected. By insisting on calling the police, you're more likely to get a full and complete record of information, and you'll have a paper trail if you later need to track down the accident or other parties.

Determine whether you need medical care

Some injuries are not immediately apparent at the time of a car accident. Head injuries can be serious, and neck and back injuries are common in rear-end collisions. Even if you don't want to go to the hospital immediately, you should go the next day if you find yourself sore or tender. Don't wait a week and then seek medical attention; it can be more challenging to link those injuries to the auto accident if you wait too long.

Get photos, if possible

If possible, get photos of your car and the other vehicle at the scene of the accident. Nowadays, many cell phones have cameras, so even if you have to take photos on your camera phone, get some pictures. Try to get clear pictures of the damage to the vehicles, as well as overall pictures of the scene including all involved vehicles.

Get names, address, and telephone numbers

It is essential to get the names, address, and telephone numbers of everyone involved in the accident as well as any witnesses. If you call the police, they should get this information. If not, then you need to ensure to get this information as it will be important in investigating the accident at a later time.

Exchange insurance information

If you are not taken from the scene of the car accident in ambulance, then you need to exchange automobile insurance information with the other driver. At the very least, you need the insurance company name, policy number and the name of the insured.

If you are involved in a car accident, you should consult an experienced attorney. At the Kisselburgh Law Firm, we represent those who are seriously injured in car accidents. If you would like to discuss your case, contact us online or call us at 601-936-4040 to set up a free consultation.

Tractor-trailer accidents are different than regular, run-of-the-mill auto accidents.

For one thing, tractor-trailer accidents are typically much more severe than regular automobile accidents. Because 18 wheelers are so large, these wrecks are more likely to cause severe injury or even death. As a result, the federal government has instituted regulations governing semi-truck and tractor-trailer accidents. Federal regulations govern semi-trailer truck operations to minimize the potential for dangerous operation.

What do the federal laws govern?

The Federal Safety Rules governing tractor-trailer trucks are numerous. These regulations encompass important considerations such as rules on inspection and maintenance, driving restrictions and semi-truck size, among others. These regulations are designed to conduct oversight on vehicle operation and configuration and make it safer to share the roadways with 18 wheelers. Because of the potential for dangerous conditions, tractor-trailers are required to undergo regular maintenance and weigh-ins at designated spots. Drivers are also governed by a set of rules concerning the amount of time they can spend on the road to minimize human error caused by sleep deprivation.

You need to consult a Mississippi lawyer experienced in handling these cases

Because there are so many sections to the Federal regulations, it's important to consult a Mississippi lawyer who is experienced in representing those involved in truck accidents. The procedures for dealing with an automobile accident are not the same when it comes to pursuing a tractor-trailer wreck, and the average individual isn't equipped to deal with the oversight and federal regulations and how they impact a tractor-trailer accident case. At the Kisselburgh Law Firm, we are experienced in representing those injured or killed in accidents involving 18 wheelers. Contact us online or call us at 601-936-4040 to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.

Mississippi House passes legislation outlawing use of red light cameras

Last week the Mississippi House passed legislation outlawing the use of red light cameras in Mississippi. House Bill 1568 is now on its way to the Senate for approval. The cameras are currently in use in Jackson, Mississippi as well as Tupelo. Columbus, Natchez, and Southaven, Mississippi had plans to implement their use, but Southaven, Mississippi put those plans on hold this last week, according to a recent article.

The use of these cameras is a hotly debated issue. Those in favor of cameras cite statistics showing a decrease in traffic accidents with the use of red light cameras which take a picture of the vehicle running a red light and send a citation in the mail to violators. A Jackson Police Department spokesman said the 16 cameras in use in Jackson have reduced traffic accidents by an average of 68%, according to a Clarion-Ledger article.

However, opponents of the use of cameras also cite competing statistics which show an increase in accidents where the cameras are used. Others complain about the difficulty in challenging the tickets as alleged violators are mailed a picture of the vehicle along with a $75.00 fine. Another complaint is that part of the fine goes to the company installing and maintaining the cameras. Local Jackson radio talk show hosts JT and Dave have been very vocal opponents of the use of red light cameras and the ground swell of public opinion appears to support their opposition.

Rankin County Mississippi woman killed in car accident

A 63-year-old Rankin County, Mississippi woman was killed yesterday in a two vehicle collision on Mississippi Highway 43. According to the the Clarion-Ledger, the woman was a passenger in a Ford pick-up truck that crashed into a Nissan Alitma . Others involved in the collision were transported to area hospitals. There was no word on their condition.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the woman who was killed and hopefully the others involved will make a successful recovery.

Leake County, Mississippi man killed in ATV accident

A Leake County, Mississippi man was killed in ATV accident on Sunday. According to WLBT, the Jackson, Mississippi NBC affiliate, Otiko Anthony was riding an ATV on a gravel road southeast of Carthage, Mississippi when he lost control and hit a tree. The 26-year-old man had just taken his brand new ATV out for a ride when the accident occurred.

All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are 3 or 4 wheeled motorized vehicles which have gained popularity in the last decade. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 6,000 fatalities have occurred from injuries associated with ATVS in the last two decades. In 2006, there were 555 ATV-related deaths with 111 being children.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an ATV accident and it was due to someone's negligence or a mechanical defect, you need to speak with an attorney who can properly investigate the accident to determine whether any liability exists. At the Kisselburgh Law Firm, we represent people injured in ATV accidents as well as family members of those killed in an ATV accident. Contact us online or call us at 601-936-4040 to set up a free consultation to discuss your rights.

FDA says Georgia plant knew peanuts were tainted

The Food and Drug Administration said a Georgia plant knowingly shipped salmonella-laced products for the past year. As reported in the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger, FDA officials said Peanut Corp. of America shipped some products after receiving initial positive reports of salmonella in its peanuts. To date, eight deaths and 575 illnesses in 43 states have been attributed to the salmonella-laced peanuts.

Given this new information, the question becomes whether criminal charges will be brought against company officials. The Justice Department opened a criminal investigation. This type of corporate behavior needs to be stopped. Since the government had reports of problems dating back to at least 2001, enforcement of the regulations is long overdue. Hopefully, this will serve as a wake-up call to the government to increase its enforcement efforts in order to protect the public from contaminated food being shipped to our families throughout the country.

If you have been a victim of the contaminated peanuts, contact us online or call the Kisselburgh Law Firm at 877-601-4040 to further discuss your rights.