Category Archives: Car Accident Cases

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After a car accident in Jackson, Mississippi, determining fault is one of the most important parts of a personal injury claim. While witness statements and police reports are valuable, traffic camera footage can provide clear, objective evidence that supports your version of events. Across Jackson’s major intersections and highways—including I-55, Lakeland Drive, and County Line Road—cameras often capture critical moments that can make or break an insurance claim.

The Value of Traffic Camera Footage in Proving Fault

Traffic cameras record real-time images of vehicles entering intersections, stopping at lights, or violating traffic signals. When an accident occurs, this footage can show exactly what happened—who had the green light, whether a driver was speeding, or if someone failed to yield.

Unlike witness accounts, which can vary, camera evidence is factual and unbiased. Insurance companies and courts often view it as one of the most credible forms of proof when determining liability.

Where Traffic Cameras Are Commonly Found in Jackson

Many intersections in Jackson have city- or state-operated cameras, especially high-traffic areas such as:

  • Lakeland Drive & Ridgewood Road

  • County Line Road & I-55

  • High Street & State Street

  • Woodrow Wilson Avenue & Bailey Avenue

Additionally, some private businesses—like gas stations and shopping centers—have security cameras that may capture valuable footage of nearby collisions. A skilled attorney can help identify who controls these recordings and how to request copies before they are deleted.

How to Obtain Traffic Camera Footage

Getting access to camera footage requires speed and precision. Government-operated footage is typically retained for only a short period—sometimes just 7 to 30 days—before being erased or overwritten. Victims or their attorneys must quickly submit a formal request to the Jackson Police Department, Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), or other relevant agencies.

If a nearby business recorded the accident, your lawyer can send a preservation letter to ensure that video isn’t deleted before it can be reviewed.

How Insurers Use or Challenge Video Evidence

Insurance companies often rely on video footage when available—but they can also try to interpret it in ways that favor their position. For example, an adjuster might argue that a driver appeared distracted or partially at fault even if the video is inconclusive. Having an experienced attorney review and present the footage ensures it’s interpreted correctly and used to strengthen your claim rather than undermine it.

Other Ways to Support a Jackson Car Accident Claim

Traffic camera footage works best when combined with:

  • Police reports documenting citations or statements

  • Photographs of the accident scene and vehicle damage

  • Medical records linking injuries to the crash

  • Eyewitness testimony confirming driver behavior

Together, this evidence creates a comprehensive picture of what occurred and helps establish liability under Mississippi’s fault-based insurance system.

Call Kellum Law Firm For a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Jackson, Mississippi, and believe traffic camera footage could help your case, Kellum Law Firm, P.C. can take immediate action to secure that evidence before it’s lost. Our legal team has experience working with local agencies and insurers to uncover the proof needed to win fair compensation. Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 today for a free consultation and learn how we can help protect your rights.

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After a serious car accident in Jackson, Mississippi, victims often focus on immediate recovery—medical treatment, vehicle repairs, and insurance claims. However, one of the most important aspects of any personal injury case is time. Mississippi law imposes strict deadlines for filing car accident lawsuits, known as the statute of limitations. Missing this window can permanently bar you from recovering compensation, no matter how strong your case may be.

The Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits

Under Mississippi Code § 15-1-49, the statute of limitations for most personal injury and property damage claims—including car accidents—is three years from the date of the crash. This means you must either settle your case or file a lawsuit within three years of the accident.

If you file even one day late, the court will likely dismiss your case, and the insurance company will have no obligation to pay.

This deadline applies to lawsuits seeking compensation for:

  • Medical expenses

  • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity

  • Vehicle damage

  • Pain and suffering

  • Permanent disability or wrongful death

Shorter Deadlines for Claims Against Government Entities

If your accident involves a government vehicle—such as a city bus, police car, or public utility truck—the time limit is much shorter. Under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act (MTCA), you must:

  • File a Notice of Claim within one year of the accident, and

  • Wait 90 days before filing a lawsuit in court.

These cases follow special procedures and damage caps, making it vital to contact an attorney immediately if a public agency is involved.

Why Filing Early Is Critical

Even though three years may sound like plenty of time, starting the process early is essential. Key evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records can become harder to obtain as time passes. Traffic camera footage, for example, may be erased within days or weeks.

Early action also allows your attorney to:

  • Gather and preserve evidence before it’s lost

  • Negotiate with insurers while medical treatment continues

  • Prepare a strong case if a lawsuit becomes necessary

The earlier you seek legal help, the better your chances of maximizing your recovery.

Exceptions to the Three-Year Rule

In rare cases, the clock may be paused (“tolled”) under specific circumstances, such as:

  • The victim was a minor at the time of the accident

  • The at-fault driver left the state to avoid service

  • Fraud or concealment delayed discovery of the injury

However, these exceptions are limited and strictly interpreted by Mississippi courts. You should never assume extra time applies without confirming with an attorney.

Call Kellum Law Firm For a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a Jackson, Mississippi car accident, don’t risk losing your right to compensation by waiting too long. Kellum Law Firm, P.C. helps clients throughout Hinds County, Rankin County, and Claiborne County file claims before critical deadlines expire. Our attorneys can evaluate your case, preserve vital evidence, and ensure your lawsuit is filed on time. Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 today for a free consultation and learn how we can protect your right to recover full compensation.

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When a car accident happens in Jackson, Mississippi, most people immediately think about medical bills and vehicle repairs. However, the true cost of an accident goes far beyond those initial expenses. From lost income to long-term medical care and emotional distress, victims often face financial and personal consequences that aren’t obvious right away. Understanding these hidden costs can help you seek the full compensation you deserve under Mississippi law.

1. Lost Income and Reduced Earning Capacity

Even a moderate injury can keep you out of work for weeks or months. During recovery, you may lose wages or the ability to work overtime. In severe cases—such as spinal injuries or traumatic brain injuries—victims may never return to their previous job or earn the same income again.

Mississippi personal injury law allows victims to recover both lost wages and loss of future earning capacity. Documenting time missed from work and obtaining statements from your employer are key to proving these damages in a claim.

2. Ongoing Medical and Rehabilitation Costs

Initial emergency treatment is often only the beginning. Many accident victims in Jackson require:

  • Physical therapy or rehabilitation

  • Follow-up surgeries

  • Pain management care

  • Prescription medication

These expenses can last months or years after the accident. Unfortunately, early settlement offers from insurance companies rarely consider ongoing medical needs, leaving victims responsible for future costs once the claim is closed.

3. Property Damage Beyond Vehicle Repairs

Repairing a vehicle after a serious crash isn’t always straightforward. Even when fixed, a car’s resale value often drops due to its accident history—a loss known as diminished value. You may also face out-of-pocket costs for towing, rental cars, or transportation during repairs. Mississippi law permits recovery for all reasonable property-related damages caused by another driver’s negligence.

4. Emotional and Psychological Effects

Car accidents often cause invisible injuries. Victims can experience:

  • Anxiety while driving

  • Depression during recovery

  • Sleep disturbances or PTSD

These emotional effects can disrupt daily life and relationships. Compensation for pain and suffering and emotional distress is available in Mississippi, but proving these damages requires strong documentation—such as medical evaluations or testimony from counselors.

5. Unexpected Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Small costs can add up quickly after an accident—co-pays, medical devices, home modifications, and travel to doctor appointments. Keeping detailed records of these expenses helps ensure they’re included in your final settlement or court award.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Insurance companies often undervalue hidden costs, focusing only on immediate medical bills and repair estimates. An experienced Jackson car accident attorney can identify all potential damages and calculate their long-term impact. Without this help, you may accept a settlement that covers only a fraction of what you’ve truly lost.

Call Kellum Law Firm For a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a Jackson, Mississippi car accident, don’t let hidden costs drain your recovery. Kellum Law Firm, P.C. helps clients uncover the full value of their claims and fight for fair compensation from insurance companies. Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 today for a free consultation and learn how we can protect your rights and financial future.

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Crashes involving commercial trucks are among the most serious accidents on Mississippi roads. Because of their size and weight, an 18-wheeler, delivery truck, or construction vehicle can cause devastating injuries and catastrophic property damage in a collision. When these accidents occur on busy Jackson routes such as I-20, I-55, or Highway 49, determining liability and securing compensation becomes more complex than in a typical car crash.

Understanding the Difference Between Truck and Car Accidents

Unlike a standard two-vehicle collision, a truck accident often involves multiple parties. Beyond the truck driver, responsibility may extend to the trucking company, a freight shipper, a maintenance contractor, or even the manufacturer of defective parts. Each entity usually carries its own insurance coverage and team of adjusters working to limit payouts.

Commercial trucks must follow both Mississippi traffic laws and federal trucking regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Violations—such as exceeding hours-of-service limits, poor maintenance, or improper cargo loading—can establish negligence and strengthen an injured victim’s case.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Jackson

  1. Driver Fatigue: Long hours behind the wheel lead to delayed reactions and loss of control.

  2. Improper Maintenance: Worn brakes or tires often cause rear-end or jackknife crashes.

  3. Overloaded Cargo: Shifting freight can make trucks unstable during turns or sudden stops.

  4. Distracted or Impaired Driving: Texting, eating, or driving under the influence dramatically increases risk.

  5. Speeding on Highways: Heavy trucks need longer distances to stop; speeding often turns minor mistakes into deadly impacts.

Injuries and Damages in Mississippi Truck Accidents

Truck collisions frequently cause severe or permanent injuries, including spinal damage, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal trauma. Victims may recover compensation for:

  • Medical expenses (past and future)

  • Lost wages and loss of earning capacity

  • Pain and suffering

  • Permanent disability or disfigurement

  • Property damage

In cases of gross negligence—such as falsified driver logs or intentional safety violations—Mississippi courts may also award punitive damages to punish reckless conduct.

Why You Shouldn’t Handle a Truck Accident Claim Alone

Trucking companies and their insurers often begin investigating an accident within hours, sometimes sending adjusters to the scene before the wreckage is cleared. They may try to shift blame onto the driver of the smaller vehicle or offer a quick settlement that doesn’t reflect the true cost of medical care or long-term recovery.

An experienced attorney can:

  • Preserve black-box data and driver logs before they’re lost or altered.

  • Obtain maintenance and inspection records.

  • Work with accident reconstruction experts to prove negligence.

  • Negotiate with multiple insurers on your behalf.

Call Kellum Law Firm For a Free Consultation

If you were injured in a truck accident in Jackson or anywhere in Mississippi, you need legal help immediately to protect critical evidence and your right to full compensation. Kellum Law Firm, P.C. represents victims of 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle crashes throughout Hinds County and surrounding areas. Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you hold negligent trucking companies accountable.

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Distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of serious and fatal crashes across Mississippi—and Jackson is no exception. With busy intersections, daily commuter traffic, and constant construction activity, even a moment of inattention behind the wheel can lead to devastating consequences. Understanding how distracted driving contributes to accidents and what your rights are if you’ve been injured can make a major difference in protecting yourself and your claim.

What Counts as Distracted Driving in Mississippi

Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s focus away from the road. It can involve visual, manual, or cognitive distractions such as:

  • Texting or using a smartphone

  • Eating or drinking while driving

  • Adjusting GPS or music controls

  • Talking to passengers or reaching for items

  • Daydreaming or fatigue-related distraction

Mississippi law prohibits texting while driving under Miss. Code Ann. § 63-33-1, applying to all drivers statewide. Violations can result in fines and penalties, but when distraction causes a collision, it can also establish negligence in a personal injury claim.

The Impact on Jackson’s Roads

Jackson’s major corridors—like I-55, County Line Road, Lakeland Drive, and Woodrow Wilson Avenue—see a high volume of daily traffic. Distracted drivers on these roads can cause:

  • Rear-end collisions at stoplights

  • Sideswipe crashes when drifting between lanes

  • Pedestrian and bicycle accidents in urban areas

  • Intersection crashes from missed traffic signals

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety reports that distraction plays a role in thousands of crashes each year, and the risk is especially high during morning and evening commutes through busy areas like downtown Jackson and Fondren.

Proving Distracted Driving in a Car Accident Claim

To hold a distracted driver accountable, evidence must show that their inattention directly caused the crash. Common types of proof include:

  • Cell phone records showing activity at the time of the accident

  • Traffic camera or dashcam footage

  • Witness statements describing driver behavior

  • Police reports noting driver distraction as a contributing factor

An experienced attorney can gather and preserve this evidence quickly before it is lost or deleted.

How Insurance Companies Handle Distracted Driving Cases

Insurers often try to deny or minimize distracted driving claims by blaming both drivers or arguing that fault cannot be proven. However, under Mississippi’s pure comparative negligence rule, even if you share some responsibility, you can still recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. That makes it essential to have strong evidence and legal representation to establish the other driver’s negligence.

Call Kellum Law Firm For a Free Consultation

If you were injured by a distracted driver in Jackson, Mississippi, you deserve accountability and full compensation for your injuries. Kellum Law Firm, P.C. helps victims gather evidence, handle insurers, and pursue justice for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you rebuild after a distracted driving crash.

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If you were involved in a car accident in Jackson, Mississippi, and the vehicle that hit you belonged to a city, county, or state agency—such as a police car, school bus, or public utility truck—the claims process is very different from a normal crash. Suing a government entity in Mississippi is possible, but it’s governed by a strict law known as the Mississippi Tort Claims Act (MTCA). Understanding these special rules is essential if you hope to recover compensation for your injuries and losses.

The Mississippi Tort Claims Act (MTCA)

Under the MTCA, found in Miss. Code Ann. § 11-46-1 et seq., Mississippi partially waives its traditional sovereign immunity, allowing individuals to sue state and local government entities in certain situations. This means you can hold a government agency financially responsible if:

  • The employee who caused the accident was acting within the course and scope of their job; and

  • The employee’s negligent actions led directly to your injuries or property damage.

For example, if a City of Jackson sanitation truck ran a stop sign or a Mississippi Department of Transportation vehicle rear-ended you on I-55, you may have the right to file a claim against the responsible agency.

Strict Notice and Filing Deadlines

Unlike standard car accident cases, where you generally have three years to file a lawsuit, claims against a government entity have much shorter deadlines.

  1. You must file a Notice of Claim within one year of the date of the accident.

  2. The notice must be sent to both the Mississippi Attorney General and the chief executive officer of the agency you’re filing against (for example, the mayor, sheriff, or department head).

  3. You must then wait 90 days before filing your lawsuit in court.

Failing to meet any of these steps or deadlines will likely result in your claim being dismissed permanently.

Damage Caps and Limitations

Even if your claim is successful, the MTCA limits how much compensation you can receive. As of Mississippi law, damages are capped at $500,000 per claim—no matter how severe the injuries or property damage. Additionally, punitive damages and pre-judgment interest are not allowed in these cases.

Common Scenarios for Government Vehicle Accidents in Jackson

  • Police vehicles involved in pursuits or patrols

  • City or county garbage trucks

  • School district or city buses

  • Maintenance or utility vehicles owned by state or local agencies

While government drivers have legal immunity for certain emergency operations, they must still act with reasonable care. If they act recklessly or ignore safety rules, the government can still be held responsible.

Why You Need Legal Help in MTCA Claims

Government agencies often have legal teams that aggressively defend these cases. A small mistake—such as missing a filing deadline or sending notice to the wrong official—can destroy your claim. An experienced attorney can investigate the crash, identify the correct agency, and file all required documentation on time.

Your lawyer can also gather evidence, including police reports, dash-cam footage, and maintenance records, to prove the government driver was negligent.

Call Kellum Law Firm For a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident involving a city, county, or state-owned vehicle in Jackson, Mississippi, don’t wait to act. The deadline for filing a claim against a government agency is short and strictly enforced. Kellum Law Firm, P.C.has extensive experience handling cases under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act and can help protect your rights from day one.

Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 for a free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue justice after a government-related accident.

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After a car accident in Jackson, Mississippi, one of the most important pieces of evidence you’ll rely on is the police report. Whether the crash occurred on I-55, Highway 80, or a busy city street near downtown, that official document often becomes the foundation of your insurance or personal injury claim. Knowing how police reports work—and how to use them effectively—can make a major difference in the outcome of your case.

Why Police Reports Matter After a Jackson Car Accident

A police report provides an objective account of what happened, created by a trained officer who responds to the crash scene. It includes key details such as:

  • Names and contact information of all drivers, passengers, and witnesses

  • Vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers

  • Insurance information for each driver

  • Road, weather, and lighting conditions at the time of the crash

  • A preliminary determination of fault based on the officer’s investigation

Insurance adjusters rely heavily on these reports when evaluating claims. While not legally binding, the officer’s findings can influence who is found responsible and whether a settlement is approved.

How to Obtain a Jackson Police Accident Report

If your accident occurred within Jackson city limits, you can request a copy of the crash report from the Jackson Police Department (JPD) Records Division. Reports are typically available within a few days to a week after the incident.

You can obtain your report by:

  • Visiting the JPD Records Office in person

  • Requesting it online through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s crash report system

  • Asking your attorney to obtain it on your behalf

Be prepared to provide identifying details such as the accident date, location, and driver names. A small administrative fee may apply.

How Police Reports Are Used in Insurance Claims

Insurance companies use police reports to verify facts and assign liability. The officer’s notes about traffic violations, such as speeding or running a red light, often serve as powerful evidence of negligence.

However, adjusters sometimes interpret these reports in ways that favor their insured driver. If the report contains incomplete or inaccurate details, an attorney can investigate further, interview witnesses, and gather additional evidence—such as photographs, surveillance footage, or expert reconstruction—to correct the record.

Can You Challenge an Incorrect Police Report?

Yes. While police officers are trained to document accidents accurately, mistakes can happen. If you believe a factual error exists—like an incorrect vehicle description, location, or insurance information—you can request a report amendment.

If the issue involves disputed fault or witness statements, it’s more complex. In those cases, your attorney can provide supplemental evidence and formal statements to clarify your version of events during insurance negotiations or litigation.

Why Legal Representation Is Important

Having an attorney review your police report ensures every important detail is identified, verified, and used effectively to support your claim. A lawyer can also communicate directly with insurers, file requests for accident reconstruction data, and make sure the facts are presented accurately if the case goes to court.

Call Kellum Law Firm For a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Jackson, Mississippi, don’t underestimate the importance of your police report. The attorneys at Kellum Law Firm, P.C. know how to use official records to strengthen your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 today for a free consultation and let us help you build a strong claim from the start.

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Bad weather is one of the most unpredictable hazards drivers face in Jackson, Mississippi. Heavy rain, fog, or ice can transform familiar roads—like I-55, Lakeland Drive, or County Line Road—into dangerous environments where accidents happen in seconds. While drivers often blame weather conditions for these crashes, Mississippi law doesn’t automatically excuse negligent behavior just because the roads were slick or visibility was poor.

Driver Responsibility During Bad Weather

Every driver in Mississippi has a legal duty of care to operate their vehicle safely under the conditions present. That duty doesn’t disappear when the weather turns bad. In fact, it becomes even more important.

Under Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-505, drivers must reduce their speed and maintain control of their vehicle at all times. If someone loses control during heavy rain or hydroplanes because they were driving too fast for conditions, they may still be considered negligent—even if the posted speed limit wasn’t exceeded.

Drivers are also expected to:

  • Keep headlights on when visibility is low.

  • Increase following distance to allow for longer braking times.

  • Use caution when turning or changing lanes.

  • Avoid using cruise control on wet or icy roads.

When a driver fails to take these precautions and a collision occurs, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries or property damage.

Common Types of Weather-Related Crashes in Jackson

  1. Rear-End Collisions: Often caused by drivers following too closely during rain or fog.

  2. Multi-Vehicle Pileups: Common on I-20 or I-55 when one driver loses control and triggers chain reactions.

  3. Intersection Crashes: Reduced visibility leads to misjudging signals or failing to yield.

  4. Run-Off-Road Accidents: Drivers hydroplane, overcorrect, or skid into oncoming lanes.

Even though weather is a contributing factor, most of these crashes involve at least one driver who failed to adjust appropriately.

Proving Liability in Weather-Related Accidents

Proving fault after a weather-related crash requires evidence showing that another driver’s negligence—not just bad weather—caused the collision. Key evidence may include:

  • Police reports citing unsafe speed or careless driving.

  • Witness statements describing reckless behavior.

  • Traffic camera or dashcam footage.

  • Accident reconstruction demonstrating loss of control or failure to brake.

If the accident resulted from poor road maintenance—such as untreated ice or malfunctioning traffic signals—the City of Jackson or Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) could also share liability under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act. However, claims against government agencies require special procedures and shorter deadlines.

Can Weather Ever Excuse Liability?

Weather alone rarely excuses fault. Mississippi law expects drivers to anticipate foreseeable dangers like wet pavement or fog. Only in extremely sudden or unforeseeable weather events—sometimes called “acts of God”—might liability be avoided. Even then, courts scrutinize whether the driver took reasonable precautions before the crash.

Call Kellum Law Firm For a Free Consultation

If you were injured in a weather-related car accident in Jackson, Mississippi, don’t assume the weather means no one is at fault. Drivers and even government entities can still be held responsible for negligence. Kellum Law Firm, P.C.investigates weather-related crashes thoroughly to identify liable parties and recover compensation for your injuries, lost income, and property damage.

Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you recover after a storm-related accident.

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Being injured as a passenger in a car accident can be frightening and confusing. You weren’t behind the wheel, but you still face medical bills, lost income, and pain from injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. If you’re hurt in a crash in Jackson, Mississippi—whether on I-55, Lakeland Drive, or near downtown—you have important legal rights to pursue compensation. Knowing who to file a claim against and what challenges to expect is key to protecting your recovery.

Passengers Have the Right to Compensation

Mississippi law clearly states that passengers injured in car accidents have the same right to compensation as drivers. Because you were not operating a vehicle, you’re rarely considered at fault. That means you can seek damages for:

  • Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs

  • Lost wages or loss of future income

  • Pain and suffering

  • Emotional distress

  • Permanent disability or scarring

Your claim will depend on proving who caused the accident—which could be the driver of the vehicle you were in, another driver, or sometimes both.

Filing a Claim Against the At-Fault Driver

If the crash was caused by another vehicle, you can file a claim against that driver’s liability insurance. Mississippi requires a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, but serious injuries can quickly exceed that amount.

If the driver of the vehicle you were riding in caused the accident—by speeding, texting, or driving under the influence—you can also pursue compensation from their insurance policy. Passengers often feel uncomfortable filing claims against friends or relatives, but remember: it’s the insurance company, not the driver personally, that pays most or all of the compensation.

When Multiple Drivers Share Fault

Many Jackson crashes involve more than one negligent driver. Mississippi follows a pure comparative negligence system, which allows each responsible driver to pay according to their share of fault. For example, if one driver is 70% at fault and another is 30% at fault, you can recover damages from both insurers in proportion to their responsibility.

This rule helps ensure passengers aren’t left without full compensation when several drivers contributed to the accident.

Common Defenses Used by Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often try to reduce or deny passenger claims using tactics such as:

  • Arguing you “knew the driver was reckless” and assumed the risk by riding with them.

  • Claiming your injuries were pre-existing or not caused by the crash.

  • Disputing the severity of your injuries or the cost of medical care.

A personal injury attorney can challenge these arguments with medical evidence, witness testimony, and expert reports to prove the extent of your losses.

Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers

If neither driver has adequate insurance, you may still have options through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This protection applies even when you were a passenger in someone else’s vehicle and can help cover medical costs and other losses.

Call Kellum Law Firm For a Free Consultation

If you were injured as a passenger in a Jackson, Mississippi car accident, you have the right to pursue full and fair compensation. Kellum Law Firm, P.C. has decades of experience handling passenger injury claims and negotiating with difficult insurance companies. We’ll identify all possible sources of recovery and fight to protect your financial future.

Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you recover after a serious car accident.

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After a car accident in Jackson, Mississippi, one of the most common concerns victims have is whether they can still receive compensation if they share some of the blame. The answer is yes—thanks to Mississippi’s pure comparative negligence law, even partially responsible drivers can recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault, which makes proving the facts and protecting your claim extremely important.

Understanding Mississippi’s Pure Comparative Negligence Rule

Mississippi law follows a pure comparative negligence system under Miss. Code Ann. § 11-7-15. This means that every party involved in a crash can be assigned a percentage of fault based on their role in causing the accident.

For example:

  • If you are found 30% at fault and the total damages equal $100,000, you can still recover $70,000.

  • Even if you were 90% at fault, you could still pursue 10% of your damages.

This system allows partial recovery in nearly all circumstances, unlike other states that bar recovery if you’re 50% or more at fault.

How Fault Is Determined After a Jackson Car Accident

Determining fault is one of the most contested aspects of any accident claim. Insurance companies, law enforcement, and attorneys examine factors such as:

  • Police reports from the Jackson Police Department or Mississippi Highway Patrol

  • Witness statements from nearby drivers or pedestrians

  • Traffic camera or dashcam footage

  • Accident reconstruction reports

  • Violations of traffic laws, such as speeding, distracted driving, or failure to yield

Insurance adjusters often assign fault percentages during settlement negotiations. Unfortunately, they may exaggerate your share of responsibility to minimize the payout. Having an attorney who understands the process ensures your rights are protected and that the facts—not insurer assumptions—determine fault.

Examples of Shared Fault in Jackson Accidents

  • Rear-End Collisions: The rear driver is usually at fault, but if the lead driver stopped suddenly without reason or brake lights, they may share partial responsibility.

  • Intersection Crashes: Both drivers could be partially at fault if one failed to yield and the other was speeding.

  • Multi-Vehicle Collisions: Fault may be divided among several drivers based on chain reactions or unsafe following distances.

Even pedestrians or bicyclists injured in Jackson traffic accidents can share fault if they crossed outside a crosswalk or failed to follow traffic signals.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Pure comparative negligence gives insurance companies more room to argue fault percentages and reduce settlements. A skilled attorney can:

  • Challenge inaccurate fault assessments

  • Collect additional evidence supporting your claim

  • Work with experts to recreate the accident

  • Negotiate for a fair settlement that reflects the true facts

By ensuring your percentage of fault is minimized, your attorney can help maximize the compensation you ultimately receive.

Call Kellum Law Firm For a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a Jackson, Mississippi car accident and believe you may share some responsibility, don’t assume you have no case. Under Mississippi law, you still have the right to recover fair compensation. Kellum Law Firm, P.C.helps drivers and passengers throughout Jackson and Hinds County handle complex shared-fault claims and fight for the justice they deserve.

Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 for a free consultation and learn how we can protect your rights after a serious accident.