Wrongful Death Claims Filed in Mississippi DUI Accident Case

A tragic DUI accident in Mississippi has led to multiple wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits, shining a light on the devastating consequences of drunk driving and the legal rights available to victims and their families under Mississippi personal injury laws. According to news reports, a Mississippi woman was intoxicated when she left a sports bar in D’Iberville with her friend in the passenger seat. Evidence later showed she had a blood alcohol level of .158 percent, nearly twice the legal limit of .08 percent. While driving on Popps Ferry Road on November 26, 2023, she crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a vehicle.
The crash killed one person and left another with serious injuries. The driver pleaded guilty to felony DUI causing death. In exchange, prosecutors dropped a second charge related to DUI causing death or disfigurement. She was sentenced to five years in prison and five years of supervised release. However, she is now facing two civil lawsuits, both claiming that her negligent and intoxicated driving caused the tragedy.
Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable Under Mississippi Personal Injury Laws in Civil Court
The lawsuits that have been filed as a result of the dangerous and deadly DUI car accident were filed not only against Patton as the individual driver, but also against the sports bar she drank at that fateful day. The wrongful death claim accuses the business of serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated patron in violation of Mississippi law. Both lawsuits seek compensatory and punitive damages, including compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship under Mississippi laws. It remains to be seen what will happen in these civil cases, and whether the victims and the families of the victims will see justice.
Getting Legal Help in Mississippi After a Tragic DUI Car Accident
The tragic and unfortunate DUI case serves as a reminder of the rights that Mississippi families and accident victims have when they are harmed by a drunk driver. Under Mississippi civil law, victims of DUI accidents may pursue compensation through personal injury or wrongful death claims. These claims can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disability, emotional suffering, and other damages caused by the accident. In fatal cases, surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek financial support and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Mississippi law also allows victims to bring claims against bars, restaurants, or other establishments that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals who later cause injuries or fatalities. Establishments that ignore warning signs and continue serving alcohol can be held financially responsible for the harm that follows.
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a DUI car accident in Mississippi, it is important to seek legal help immediately. An experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and pursue full compensation for your losses. Whether the case involves an intoxicated driver, a negligent bar, or both, an experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and work toward justice.
If you are in the Mississippi area and you need legal help, contact the experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC today and speak with a lawyer now.
Source:
sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article312951374.html