Starkville is a college town with all the hustle and bustle that goes along with it, especially when the universities are in session. The influx of students and visitors means more cars on the road and an increased likelihood of being involved in a car accident. If you or someone you love was injured in a crash, you should speak with a Starkville car accident attorney to discuss your options.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Starkville
There are infinite possibilities for the causes of car accidents. However, Starkville’s demographics often lead to increased car accidents in specific categories.
Some common causes of Starkville car accidents include:
- Driver negligence, including driving while intoxicated, being on the phone while going, and ignoring traffic signals;
- Inclement weather (e.g., flooded streets);
- Poor road conditions (e.g., untreated potholes, uneven pavement);
- Road rage;
- Driving too closely;
- Mechanical failures, including brake and engine failures; and
- Manufacturing defects.
Sometimes an accident is just an accident, but often it results from someone else’s negligence. If that is the case and you are injured, you might be entitled to compensation. The best way to know if you have a valid claim after a car wreck is to speak with a qualified car accident attorney in Starkville, MS.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents range in severity, and as a result, so do the potential injuries. It is possible to walk away from a crash with minor scrapes and bruises. But at other times, the victim may not be so lucky and can sustain catastrophic injuries. As big and powerful as motor vehicles are, they crush and collapse in accidents. While there are an infinite array of injuries that can happen, we routinely see several types of injuries over and over from car crashes.
These include the following:
- Lacerations,
- Seatbelt and airbag burns,
- Bumps and bruises,
- Fractures,
- Whiplash,
- Back and neck injuries,
- Soft tissue injuries,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Paralysis, and
- Death.
You should seek immediate medical care even if you can walk away from the wreck. Some injuries can be invisible such as internal bleeding or a concussion, and some develop slowly in the hours and days after the impact. You should be seen by a doctor, regardless of your injury.
W. Noel Harris
Founder, Harris Law Firm, PLLC
Professional Associations
- Mississippi Association for Justice — Board of Governors
- American Association for Justice, Member
- National Trial Lawyers Association, Member
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
Bar Admissions
- Mississippi, 1981
- Arkansas, 2010
Years Practicing
Admitted to MS Bar
Noel Harris is the founder of Harris Law Firm, PLLC, and represents injured clients throughout Jackson and across Mississippi. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Delta State University in 1978 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1981. Since 1981, Mr. Harris has been a member of the Plaintiff’s bar, concentrating his practice on personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and products liability claims.
Mr. Harris is widely recognized for his knowledge of Mississippi injury law and his tenacious representation of clients across the state, including those in Jackson, Hinds County, and the surrounding metro. His litigation experience has resulted in successful million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for injured clients.
Free consultation · No obligation
Mississippi Law
In Mississippi, you generally have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. Of course, there are exceptions to most rules, so we always recommend you meet with an attorney soon after the accident to preserve your rights.
Additionally, Mississippi is considered a pure comparative fault state, meaning an accident victim can recover damages even if they are partially at fault for causing the accident.
If a Government Vehicle Was Involved, Act Within 90 Days
Wrecks involving a City of Starkville vehicle, Oktibbeha County vehicle, Mississippi State University vehicle, or any other Mississippi governmental entity require a formal Notice of Claim under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act (Miss. Code § 11-46-11), filed at least 90 days before a lawsuit can be started. Claims against government entities also carry a shorter one-year statute of limitations, not the standard three years that applies to most car accident claims. Missing this window can permanently end your right to recover damages.
What Damages Are Available in a Car Accident Lawsuit?
Mississippi law permits personal injury victims to collect compensation for their injuries and losses. Below is a breakdown of what that compensation can include and the factors that affect how much a case may be worth.
Economic Damages
Economic damages (also called special damages) cover your quantifiable financial losses, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost income from missed work
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as rental cars or medical equipment
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages (also called general damages) address the more subjective, but very real, impact of your injuries:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (impact on your relationship with a spouse)
Punitive Damages
Unlike compensatory damages, which work to make the victim “whole again,” punitive damages serve to punish the at-fault party for their egregious conduct. Courts rarely award punitive damages. They are only available when you can establish by “clear and convincing” evidence that the at-fault party acted with actual malice or gross misconduct that exhibited a willful, wanton, or reckless disregard for the safety of others.
What Affects Your Case Value
Every case is different, but several factors typically influence how much a car accident claim is worth:
- Your percentage of fault under Mississippi’s comparative negligence rule.
- The severity and permanence of your injuries.
- How well your medical treatment is documented.
- The strength and clarity of the liability evidence.
- The at-fault party’s available insurance coverage.
Key Evidence in a Starkville Car Accident Case
Strong evidence is often what separates a fair settlement from a lowball offer. Depending on the circumstances of your wreck, the following types of evidence can help establish liability and the extent of your damages:
Police Crash Report
The responding officer’s report often includes an initial assessment of fault, statements from those involved, and citations issued.
Event Data Recorder (“Black Box”) Data
Many modern vehicles record speed, braking, and other data in the moments before a crash, which can help establish exactly what happened.
Traffic and Surveillance Camera Footage
Nearby traffic cameras, business security cameras, or dash cams can capture the accident itself or the moments leading up to it. This footage is often overwritten within days or weeks, so it needs to be requested quickly.
Cell Phone Records
Phone records can help establish whether a driver was texting, calling, or otherwise distracted at the time of the crash.
Witness Statements
Independent witnesses can corroborate your account of how the accident occurred.
Medical Records and Bills
Complete, well-documented medical records tie your injuries directly to the accident and support the value of your claim.
Accident Reconstruction
In cases where fault is disputed, an accident reconstruction expert can analyze physical evidence to explain how the crash happened.
If a rideshare driver, delivery driver, or commercial vehicle was involved, additional insurance policies beyond the driver’s personal coverage may apply.
Know Before You Go
Starkville’s Most Dangerous Roads for Car Accidents
Explore the map below to see where car accidents happen most often around Starkville, Mississippi. If you were hurt in a Starkville car accident, our Starkville car accident lawyers know these roads well, especially when Mississippi State University sessions bring extra traffic to town.
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Hurt In A Car Accident On One Of These Roads?
You don’t have to sort it out alone. Talk to a Starkville car accident lawyer about your options, free of charge.
Where Your Starkville Car Accident Case Is Heard
Car accident lawsuits arising in Starkville are filed in the Oktibbeha County Circuit Court, located at 108 W Main St (Oktibbeha County Court Annex), Starkville, MS 39759. Circuit Court is Mississippi’s trial court for civil actions, including personal injury and car wreck claims, and it is where your case would be heard if a fair settlement cannot be reached with the insurance company.
Harris Law Firm, PLLC has represented injured clients throughout Oktibbeha County and is familiar with the procedures and filing requirements of the Oktibbeha County court system.
Serving Car Accident Victims Throughout Starkville and Oktibbeha County
At Harris Law Firm, PLLC, we represent car accident victims throughout Starkville and the surrounding Oktibbeha County area, including the following communities:
Starkville: Downtown Starkville, The Cotton District, and the Mississippi State University campus area
Surrounding Oktibbeha County: Maben and Sturgis
No matter where in the Starkville area your wreck happened, our car accident lawyers are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Starkville Car Accident Lawyer FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a Starkville car accident lawyer?
We offer a free initial consultation, so you can discuss your case with us at no upfront cost or obligation. Ask us about the specific fee arrangement for your case during that consultation.
How much is my Starkville car accident case worth?
Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and the strength of the liability evidence. There is no fixed number that applies to every case. We can give you a realistic assessment after reviewing the specific facts of your wreck.
Do I really need a lawyer for a minor car accident in Starkville?
Even wrecks that seem minor can involve injuries that take days to appear, and insurance companies routinely offer less than a claim is worth to unrepresented claimants. A free consultation with us can help you understand whether your specific situation needs legal representation before you accept any settlement offer.
How long does it take to settle a car accident claim in Starkville, MS?
Straightforward wrecks with clear liability and minor injuries can resolve in a few months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, or a government entity typically take longer, since medical treatment needs to stabilize and, in government-entity cases, the mandatory notice period must run before we can even file a lawsuit.
The insurance company already offered me a settlement. Should I take it?
Early settlement offers are often calculated before the full extent of your injuries or future medical needs is known. Once you accept and sign a release, you typically cannot go back for more money later, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected. We recommend having us review any offer before you accept it.
Can I still hire you if I already gave a recorded statement to the insurance company?
Yes. An earlier statement doesn’t prevent you from hiring us. We can still review what was said and build your case around the facts, even if a statement was already given.
What if I can’t afford my medical bills while my case is pending?
Options can include your own health insurance, medical payments (MedPay) coverage if you carry it, or in some cases providers willing to treat on a lien basis pending the outcome of your claim. We can walk you through what’s realistically available for your situation.
Why should I choose Harris Law Firm for my Starkville car accident case?
We have specific experience handling Mississippi car accident claims and a track record of litigation experience, not just settlements. During your initial consultation, we’ll be upfront with you about the realistic strengths and weaknesses of your case.
Car Accident Lawyer in Starkville, MS
Since 1981, Harris Law Firm has been helping Starkville residents seek the justice they deserve following even the most horrific car accidents. We take a deep interest in each case we handle, and we see our clients as people who need our help and not just another name on the file. Contact us for a free, no-obligation case review. We are standing by to help you.