Mississippi Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Why do so many Mississippi motorcycle crashes involve left turns?

Because drivers often misjudge a motorcycle's speed or fail to see it at all. A car turning left across the rider's path at an intersection or driveway is the most common serious crash we see.

Other frequent causes include:

• drivers changing lanes into a rider in a blind spot,
• rear-end collisions at stoplights,
• drivers pulling out of side roads and parking lots on busy commercial strips,
• road hazards such as gravel, potholes and uneven pavement.

The phrase "I never saw the motorcycle" is not a defense. Drivers must look for all traffic, and a rider in plain view is part of that traffic.

How does pure comparative fault protect injured riders?

Mississippi reduces a rider's damages by the rider's share of fault but never cuts the claim off completely. That rule matters because insurers often try to shift blame to riders.

Here is a worked example. A rider on US-90 in Biloxi is hit by a driver turning left into a casino parking lot. A jury values the rider's damages at $200,000 but finds the rider 30 percent at fault for speeding. The rider recovers $140,000. Even if the jury had found the rider 70 percent at fault, the rider would still recover $60,000.

Because every percentage point reduces the recovery, we work with reconstruction experts who measure speed and sight lines from the physical evidence, rather than relying on a driver's estimate.

Does Mississippi's helmet law affect a claim?

Mississippi requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet. Since the rule applies to everyone, the more common question is whether the helmet met safety standards and fit properly.

If a rider was not wearing a proper helmet, the defense may argue that some head injuries would have been less severe. That argument does not affect broken bones, road rash or spinal injuries, and it does not change who caused the crash. Keep your helmet after a crash. It can show the forces involved and support your account.

Where do Mississippi riders face the most risk?

Riders enjoy Mississippi's scenic roads and mild climate, but those same roads carry real hazards.

• The Natchez Trace Parkway draws riders with its long, scenic route, but it has a lower speed limit, frequent wildlife and tourists stopping at overlooks. Because it is federal land, special rules can apply to some claims.
• The Gulf Coast's US-90 and nearby roads fill with tourists, casino traffic and large motorcycle gatherings in season.
• Delta and Piney Woods highways have long straight stretches where drivers speed, along with farm equipment and log trucks.
• Jackson, Southaven and other cities bring heavy traffic and many intersections.

Because Mississippi's mild weather allows riding most of the year, crashes happen in every season. Summer heat brings its own risk: soft asphalt, tar snakes on patched roads and sudden afternoon thunderstorms that leave oil slick on the surface. Riders also share rural roads with log trucks and farm equipment that shed bark, mud and gravel. When a commercial vehicle drops debris that causes a crash, the company responsible for the load may be liable.

Road defects, such as deep potholes or a missing warning sign at a sharp curve, may involve a city, county or the state. Those claims follow the Mississippi Tort Claims Act and need prompt notice, which our government property claims team can handle.

What can an injured Mississippi rider recover?

A rider can recover economic and noneconomic losses caused by the other driver's negligence, reduced by the rider's share of fault.

1. Medical bills, surgery, rehabilitation and future care.
2. Lost wages and reduced earning ability.
3. The motorcycle, helmet and gear.
4. Pain, scarring, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life, subject to Mississippi's noneconomic damages cap.

Mississippi has no no-fault system, so riders rely on health insurance and medical payments coverage at first. The at-fault driver's insurer pays only when the claim resolves, and its policy limits are often low. Your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can fill the gap.

Our motorcycle accident practice handles these claims statewide. If a commercial vehicle hit you, see our Mississippi truck accident page. For other state rules, see our Mississippi injury overview. We offer a free case review, and you pay no fee unless we win.