A Mississippi car wreck attorney notes that officials believe speed, drugs and alcohol may have played a role in a fatal Mississippi road crash. Witnesses said that a woman was driving on the wrong side of the road when she collided with another vehicle, killing its occupant. In addition to criminal charges, people who drive under the influence may be liable to the others they harm, and victims of negligence, as well as the families of those killed, may be eligible to recover compensation with the help of Mississippi personal injury attorneys.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Mississippi. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a case we can connect you with an affiliated Mississippi car wreck attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Report: Suspect Driver Charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance
Upcoming results of a blood test of a woman believed responsible for a fatal Madison County crash will likely determine whether she was affected by alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash, as authorities and witnesses suspect. According to WAPT, witnesses on the scene noted that the driver appeared “agitated” while she was being questions by law enforcement, and that she had been driving at a high rate of speed on the wrong side of the road just before the collision occurred.
The male accident victim, a former Marine, died at a nearby hospital five days after the accident, despite efforts by neighbors and firefighters to safely extract him from his vehicle. When authorities searched the car of the driver thought to be at fault, they uncovered drug paraphernalia and charged her with possession of a controlled substance. The type of controlled substance she had in her possession when the crash occurred has not yet been revealed, the website reported.
Criminal Liability for Intoxicated Driving Accidents is Different Than Civil Liability
Regardless of the outcome of any criminal action against the driver, the determination of the criminal court is different than any civil case that may be brought against the driver. In a criminal matter, a person is accused of a crime and, if convicted, can be sentenced to jail or probation. Sometimes monetary fines and restitution are imposed on the guilty party.
However, the outcome of a criminal matter is often not relevant to a civil matter that could be brought against the person committing the wrongful act. A person who drives drunk or under the influence of any narcotic, commits a crime, but if that person also injures or kills another person while driving drunk, he or she may face civil liability in addition to criminal charges.
In a civil case, a person’s actions are not judged on whether they were illegal, but instead on whether they constituted negligence, reckless or malicious behavior, or other fault. If those actions are found to constitute fault, and if those actions caused injury to another person, then the wrongful actor may be held liable to the injured party for the payment of money to compensate for the injuries and other damages caused.
How a Mississippi Car Wreck Attorney Can Help
Drivers or passengers who are injured in car accidents may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from their injuries, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
The families of those killed may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
If the actions causing injury are malicious or so reckless that intent to harm can be inferred, the responsible party can be liable for punitive damages to punish wrongful conduct and deter similar conduct in the future.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Mississippi. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
