Collins Car Accident Lawyer

How Our Collins Car Accident Lawyers at Ringer Lingold & Spencer Can Help

While you recover from your injuries, let us help with handling your case as well as communicating with your insurer. At this difficult time, when you are dealing with the repercussions of the accident, we can help evaluate your individual situation and determine the best way to handle your case. We have over 20 years of experience practicing in courts all over the state of Mississippi to represent the best interests of clients. We use our previous experience representing a large Mississippi insurance company to benefit our clients.

We provide a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case and determine the best way to proceed. We work on a contingency basis, so there are no fees until we win a settlement for you. Call us today at (601) 845-5050.

Why Should You Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Collins, MS?

Mississippi laws regarding car accidents are complicated, and there are time limits and procedures for filing a lawsuit. Making mistakes can be costly, and having a Collins car accident lawyer on your side can help make sure that everything is done correctly and in a timely manner.

Mississippi follows a traditional fault-based system for vehicle insurance, so that the person who is responsible for the crash is responsible for the losses sustained in the accident. If you have suffered property damage or personal injuries caused by another driver’s negligence, you have the following options:

• Filing a claim with the other driver’s insurance company
• Filing a claim with your insurance company, if the at-fault driver has no insurance
• Filing a lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident.

The more extensive your injuries and property damage, the longer it may take to settle your case, but the more your case is worth and the more the insurance companies, who are out for profit, will try to fight it. According to Mississippi Code § 11-7-15, there is a comparative negligence rule that reduces an award according to the share of negligence. As a result, the insurance companies and lawyers of the at-fault driver will try to prove that you did something to contribute to the accident or that you were the one responsible. In addition, they will typically make smaller settlement offers to people trying to negotiate on their own, so it pays to have an attorney fighting for the compensation you deserve. Our team is ready to fight for you, so give us a call to learn your legal options.

We Handle the Insurance Company for You

Our Collins car accident lawyers can communicate with insurers on your behalf. Among the steps we take to protect your interests and to get you the full compensation you deserve are the following. We will . . .

• Evaluate the circumstances of your case to determine whether you have a valid lawsuit and what a fair settlement amount should be
• Investigate your case and gather evidence, such as photos and videos from surveillance and traffic cameras
• Interview witnesses and first responders
• Examine police, ambulance and medical reports and documents
• Handle communications and negotiate with insurance companies and their attorneys to get you a fair settlement
• Build your case and take it to trial if necessary.

The sooner you call us after an accident, the sooner we can get started gathering evidence while it is still available and while witnesses can be found. In addition, be aware that Mississippi has a statute of limitations, a deadline for filing a lawsuit, that is generally three years from the date of the accident. You must file on time or the courts will refuse to hear your case.

We’re here to help you at every step in the process. Call Ringer Lingold & Spencer today at (601) 845-5050 to get started.

Compensation a Car Accident Lawyer in Collins, MS, Can Win for You

In a successful Mississippi car accident case, you may win compensatory damages that cover your costs, losses, and injuries from your car accident. These are classified as economic (or monetary) damages and non-economic damages (covering losses that do not have a specific dollar value).

Economic damages cover losses and expenses, including:

• Medical, hospital, and therapy bills
• Lost wages if you are unable to work, as well as lost future earning capacity
• Property damage such as vehicle replacement.

Non-economic damages are for negative effects from the accident that are difficult to quantify monetarily, including:

• Physical, emotional, and mental pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium and companionship
• Disability or disfigurement
• Wrongful death.

Punitive damages. In some rare cases of extreme wrongdoing, punitive damages may also be awarded. This is a monetary award to punish the wrongdoer and to deter such behavior in the future.

Mississippi does not cap the amount of economic damages that can be awarded, but it does limit non-economic and punitive damages.

Amounts of Awards

It’s natural to wonder how much you may receive as compensation for your losses. There is a wide range of damage awards, which can vary from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the individual circumstances. While it is impossible to pinpoint just what a jury may award, our Collins car accident attorneys can give you an estimate after evaluating the facts of your case. Some factors that affect award amounts are:

• The severity of your injuries and whether you will you be left with a permanent disability and require continuing care in the long term
• Whether you will be able to return to work and be able to earn what you did before the accident
• The value of the property destroyed in the accident
• Your age, earning potential, and family responsibilities
• Whether a death is involved
• The availability of insurance and assets of the defendants
• How the accident happened and whether you contributed to it
• The inclination of the individual judge and jury to make generous awards
• The facts involved and strength of your case and your attorney’s ability to present it.

FAQs for a Collins Car Accident Attorney

Our Car Accident Lawyers in Collins, MS, Answer Your Most Common Questions

• Can more than one person be at fault in a car accident?

  Yes, it is possible for more than one person to be at fault in a car accident. This is often the case in multi-vehicle accidents, where each driver may have contributed to the cause of the accident. For example, if one driver rear-ends another driver who then collides with a third vehicle, all three drivers could be considered at fault.

• How does insurance determine who is at fault?

  There are a few different ways that insurance companies determine who is at fault in an accident. One way is to look at police reports, which will often include a statement from each driver about what happened and who they believe is at fault. Insurance companies will also typically send their own investigators to the scene of the accident to gather evidence and talk to witnesses. Based on all of this information, the insurance company will make a determination of who is at fault.

• What if I am partly at fault for the accident?

  If you are partly at fault for the accident, your insurance company will typically still cover some of the damages. However, your coverage may be limited and you may have to pay a higher deductible. If you are found to be completely at fault for the accident, your insurance company may refuse to cover any of the damages.

• I was in an accident with an uninsured driver. What can I do?

  If you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may still be able to recover damages by filing a claim with your own insurance company. Most insurance policies have coverage for accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers.

• I was in an accident with a hit-and-run driver. What can I do?

  If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you may still be able to recover damages by filing a claim with your own insurance company. Most insurance policies have coverage for accidents involving hit and run drivers.

• I was in an accident and my car is totaled. What does this mean?

  When a car is totaled, it means that the cost to repair the vehicle is greater than the value of the vehicle. In this case, the insurance company will likely pay you the value of your car and you will need to find a new vehicle.

• I was in an accident and I am injured. What should I do?

  If you are injured in an accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Once you have received treatment, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. An experienced lawyer can help you recover damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

• I was in an accident and the other driver is at fault. Do I need to hire a lawyer?

  While you are not required to hire a lawyer, it is often in your best interests to do so. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal process and recover the maximum amount of damages possible.

Get Help from a Car Accident Attorney in Collins, MS

When you’re involved in a car accident, let the Collins, MS, car accident attorneys at Ringer Lingold & Spencer take the burden off you. We’ll handle all legal matters, paperwork, insurance matters and negotiations, and court appearances, so you can concentrate on your recovery. We are available to answer your questions and concerns and will be there to walk you through all steps involved with your case.

Call us today at (601) 845-5050 so we can start fighting for justice and the compensation you deserve.