Meridian Car Accident Lawyers

Meridian Car Accident Lawyers

More than 40 years of experience fighting for injured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians

Drivers on Interstates 20 and 59, US state routes, Mississippi highways, and local roads risk being in a car accident every day. When drivers fail to put safety first, our Meridian car accident lawyers have the jury trial and insurance negotiation experience to obtain the compensation you deserve. At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we work step-by-step to show how your accident occurred and who should be held accountable. Our lawyers demand compensation for all your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and property damage. Call us now to assert your rights and restart your life.

In one car accident case, we obtained a $20 million jury verdict for a client who was hit by an oncoming police car when he tried to enter a highway from a side street. Though the police report stated our client failed to obey a stop sign before entering the highway, we were able to show that the stop sign was down at the time of the accident and the client’s line of vision in the direction of the oncoming police car was obscured by a parked piece of construction equipment.

In another car accident case, we recovered $490,000 for our 60-year-old client who required multiple surgeries and physical therapy after a car accident with a vehicle that failed to have its lights on.

How can we help?

How dangerous are car accidents in Meridian, MS?

According to the Clarion Ledger, Mississippi ranks “first as the deadliest state for drivers with 23.8 crash fatalities per 100,000 residents.” Traffic fatalities are “76% above the national average of 13.6 crash fatalities per 100,000 residents.”

What types of car accidents do your Meridian lawyers handle?

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we have more than 200 years of combined experience handling all types of car accidents. Some of the many types of car accidents we handle include:

  • Head-on crashes
  • Broadside accidents
  • Rear-end collisions
  • Accidents involving three or more cars
  • Single-car accidents
  • Uber and Lyft accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Accidents with trucks and motorcycles

What are the common causes of car accidents in Meridian?

Our Meridian car accident lawyers work with investigators, the police, product safety experts, traffic reconstruction experts, and through the discovery process (formal questions and answers of everyone with knowledge of your accident) to show the cause of your accident.

Common reasons for car accidents in Mississippi include:

  • Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics
  • Driving while distracted – by texting, talking on a mobile phone, using a GPS, eating, or other distractions
  • Speeding or violating any other Mississippi traffic law
  • Driving while tired
  • Driving too fast for weather or traffic conditions
  • Defective car parts
  • Poorly designed or maintained roads
  • Many other causes

What injuries do Meridian accident victims suffer?

At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we represent car occupants, pedestrians, and bicycle riders who suffer any type of serious, permanent, chronic, or catastrophic injury, including the following:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord damage and paralysis
  • Burns
  • Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
  • Fractures/broken bones
  • Nerve, muscle, ligament, tendon, or tissue damage
  • Back, neck, and shoulder pain
  • Internal bleeding or organ damage
  • Loss of hearing or vision
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Death

We work with emergency room doctors, surgeons, neurologists, orthopedists, burn specialists, and many other types of specialists who treat your physical injuries. Our Meridian car accident lawyers also work with psychologists who treat your emotional injuries. In addition, we work with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other types of rehabilitative care specialists.

If you have a catastrophic injury, we work with life planners and social service professionals to analyze the long-term car you will need and how your injuries affect your family.

When we have fully reviewed all your medical records and care – and when the status of your medical injuries is clear – we can prepare a formal demand letter that begins the negotiation process with the insurance companies for the defendants.

Who is liable for car accidents in Meridian?

Our Meridian car accident lawyers file claims against all responsible parties. The defendants in a car accident case may include:

  • The driver who causes the accident
  • An employer of the driver
  • The owners of the car if they are not the same as the driver – such as parents of teenagers who cause accidents
  • A trucking company
  • The manufacturers of defective car parts such as brakes, tires, fuel lines, airbags, and seatbelts
  • A seller of alcohol to a driver who is visibly intoxicated or a minor who then causes your accident due to their intoxication.
  • The Mississippi Department of Transportation, or other governmental agencies/entities.

What is the value of my Meridian car accident claim?

We prepare a formal demand letter when the status of your medical injuries is clear. The demand letter starts the negotiation process. In that letter, we demand compensation for all your damages so far and all the damages you will have – for the rest of your life. The damage demand includes the following:

  • Your medical bills. These include ambulances, emergency room care, surgeries, hospitalizations, rehabilitative therapy, medications, and assistive technology and devices.
  • Your income loss. This amount includes lost wages, benefits, business income, and compensation if you have a permanent disability.
  • Pain and suffering. We demand compensation for every day and every way you hurt – physically and emotionally.
  • Property damage. This amount includes the damage to your vehicle.
  • Other damages. These may include scarring and disfigurement, loss of bodily function, the inability to enjoy life’s pleasures, and loss of consortium (marital enjoyment).

We may seek punitive damages if the defendant’s conduct is unconscionable.

Our lawyers file wrongful death actions (to compensate families for the funeral expenses, loss of income, and loss of personal comfort and guidance) when a Meridian car accident is fatal.

When should I file my Meridian car accident claim?

The statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim in Mississippi is three years. The time limit for filing claims against governmental agencies such as the Mississippi Department of Transportation is just one year (and notice must be given 90 days before filing the claim). Some exceptions may apply so please call us as soon as possible.

You should never wait to call us. It’s crucial that you contact us as soon as possible so we can review your medical care, investigate the accident site, and speak with witnesses while their memories are fresh.

Do you have a Meridian car accident lawyer near me?

Yes. Our Meridian office is located at Regions Bank Building, Suite 205, 406 22nd Avenue. You can also speak with us by phone and through online conversation platforms like Zoom. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we can make arrangements to see you at your home or a healthcare facility.

We have your back. We’ve helped many accident victims like you obtain strong recoveries.

Get help from our respected Meridian, Mississippi car accident lawyers today

In an instant, a car accident can change your life. One moment, you’re focusing on your destination. The next moment, you’re in an emergency room worrying about your health and your finances. At Merkel & Cocke, P.A., we have more than 200 years of combined experience fighting for personal injury victims. Our lawyers are ready now to assert your right to compensation. Please call us today or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent car accident victims on a contingency fee basis.