Sustaining injuries due to the negligent actions of another party is no small burden. You may face overwhelming life changes and mounting medical bills, with no financial way out in sight. An experienced personal injury legal team can help you navigate this tough time.
Your physical and mental health matter, so you should hold those responsible for your injuries accountable for their actions. With a Gulfport personal injury lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm on your side, you can fight to receive the compensation you deserve.
Is It Worth Hiring a Gulfport Personal Injury Lawyer?
We understand that your daily routine and life can change drastically following a personal injury accident, but it is worth taking the time to reach out to an attorney. We recommend you seek the services of a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, preferably soon after visiting your healthcare provider. These are the top ways we can help you:
The Statute of Limitations
Believe it or not, you have a limited time to sue those responsible for your injuries. According to Mississippi Code §15-1-49, a prospective plaintiff can file a civil lawsuit within has three years from the date of the alleged accident. Failure to take legal action within the stipulated time frame can render your case moot.
Legal Procedures
While many people choose to represent themselves in their litigation, our personal injury lawyers in Gulfport recommend that you let us take the reins. Each lawsuit involves legal procedures, and working with an attorney will protect you from taking steps or making decisions that will jeopardize your right to receive the compensation you deserve.
Insurance Companies
If you have ever been in an auto accident, you likely have dealt with insurance companies before. The goal of any company is to keep its costs down while increasing revenue, which is why the first settlement offer from an insurance company is typically less than what you need.
A lawyer can fight to help you receive every penny owed to you. We will represent you during settlement negotiations and will not hesitate to proceed to trial if a fair amount is not reached.
Liability
Proving liability and connecting the responsible party to your injury is not as simple as it sounds. It can be a complicated process, even with police reports, medical reports, digital evidence, witnesses, and testimonies. The good news is that a legal representative from our law firm can overcome all these hurdles.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Gulfport, call (228) 357-9621
What Type of Cases do Gulfport Personal Injury Lawyers Take?
There are many types of cases that a personal injury lawyer in Gulfport, MS, can represent. At the Morris Bart law firm, we focus on the following types of cases:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Truck accidents
- Wrongful death
- Medical malpractice
- Premises liability
- Workers’ compensation
What Is the Usual Fee for a Personal Injury Lawyer?
In most personal injury cases, the attorney will ask for a percentage of your settlement or court award. This can vary depending on the complexity of the case. Your lawyer will discuss their fees with you and make them clear ahead of time so you will know what to expect.
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Types of Injuries in Civil Cases
If you suffered any form of injury because of your personal injury accident, you may be able to take action against the liable party. The types of injuries you may have suffered could include:
- Bodily harm: This refers to the physical injuries that the plaintiff suffers due to the negligent actions of the defendant. Bodily harm also extends to medical expenses and treatment needed to stop the injuries from killing or further harming the plaintiff.
- Emotional distress: The actions of an individual or entity can harm someone on a psychological level, in a way that they cannot function as they once did. The person may be so emotionally distraught that it affects their social life.
- Pain and suffering: Typically, bodily injury is associated with pain and suffering. A burn victim is likely to experience tremendous pain and suffering, as well as lose their ability to perform certain tasks, and so can have a legal right to compensation for their loss.
What Kind of Compensation Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Get?
The circumstances of each case are unique, so there is no “average” settlement. Here are some examples of settlements our personal injury lawyers have secured for our clients:
- $852,845 for the victim of a car accident
- $650,000 for the victim of a drunk driving accident
- $550,000 for the victim of a hit and run
- $490,000 for the victim of a truck accident
- $430,000 for the victim of a bicycle accident
Morris Bart has won many cases for injured clients like you. If you want to know what we can do to help you, reach out to us anytime, day or night.
Recoverable Damages in Gulfport Personal Injury Cases
After your Gulfport personal injury accident, you could recover damages for your economic and non-economic losses. While the type and amount of damages you can recover depends on the details of your personal injury case, injury victims are generally able to recover:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the financial losses you suffered because of your accident. These include:
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Medical expenses, both current and ongoing
We can use any bills and invoices you have collected to show proof of the economic losses you suffered.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are the intangible losses you suffered. While these expenses do not have a financial value, your attorney can determine how much compensation you should receive for your non-economic losses.
Some non-economic damages you may be able to recover include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
Your attorney can take statements from expert witnesses, your medical team, and your family to understand how your injuries have impacted your life and well-being.
Wrongful Death Damages
If your loved one passed away after a Gulfport personal injury accident, we extend our condolences to your family. Our team may be able to help you pursue a wrongful death case to recover damages such as:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Your loved one’s medical expenses
- The decedent’s lost income
Our experienced attorneys can help you seek the compensation you need to move forward after a personal injury accident.
Tactics Insurance Companies Use Against Personal Injury Victims
Not all insurance companies use these tactics, but here are some of the common ways our personal injury lawyers in Gulfport, MS, have seen some insurance companies and adjusters try to settle personal injury cases for less than they are worth:
A Quick Settlement Offer
An insurance adjuster may offer monetary compensation before you even think about filing a lawsuit and before you even understand the full extent of your injuries. Many people accept this settlement due to being out of work, facing mounting bills, or feeling overwhelmed about taking the legal route.
Your personal injury attorney will advise that you turn it down because, typically, the offer will be significantly lower than what you are legally owed. They also tend to provide lower compensation offers when you are not represented by an experienced law firm.
Statements and Releases
An insurance adjuster can tell you that they need a series of written or recorded statements to verify the facts in order to process your claim. While it may seem logical, they can misinterpret your answers and use them against you in court. They can also ask you to sign a release of your medical records.
Our personal injury attorneys recommend that you do not give consent. By giving them your consent, they can access your complete medical history and use any pre-existing condition or information to debate and potentially ask a judge to dismiss your claim.
Delay and Deny
Since the state only allows a prospective plaintiff to file a personal injury lawsuit within a limited time frame, the liable party’s insurance company can string you along with false promises and numerous requests for more information until the specified time elapses.
These tactics are the reason you may decide to let a Gulfport, Mississippi, personal injury lawyer handle your legal affairs. We know the insurance companies’ tricks that their adjusters have used, and we have efficient ways of dealing with them.
How to Help Your Gulfport Personal Injury Lawyer in Advance
Whichever personal injury lawyer in Gulfport you choose to represent you, there are things you can do to aid your case in advance, including:
- Taking photos of your injuries, car damage, and the crash scene.
- Getting the contact information of any witnesses to the crash.
- Obtaining a copy of the crash report from the police.
- Getting seen by your doctor as soon as possible after your injury and obtaining a copy of the record.
- Keeping a clear journal of your experience post-injury with times and dates.
How Long Could My Personal Injury Case Take?
Like with compensation, every case is unique. It could take weeks if it is a quick case or months if it becomes a drawn-out court battle.The key to speeding it up is building a strong case that the insurance company cannot deny. That starts with hiring an experienced personal injury attorney.
Get a Free Consultation With Morris Bart, LTD in Gulfport
When we represent our clients at the negotiating table, our goal is to protect their legal rights and seek every penny legally owed to them. When you hire the Morris Bart law firm for your Gulfport personal injury lawsuit, we will support you with over 40 years of litigation service.
To see how our Mississippi law firm can provide you with skilled legal representation and help you win your case, call us today. We understand that injuries don’t only happen during office hours, so we are here for you 24/7.
Questions?Call us, Mississipi.
(228) 357-9621
