Good news for drivers in Mississippi: According to a 2016 report from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, our state ranks in the top four when it comes to enacting laws against drunken driving.
Mississippi earned its high rank due to its all-offender ignition interlock law, sobriety checkpoints, license revocation penalties and implied consent laws. The other three states in the top four were Arizona, Maryland and West Virginia.
Unfortunately, despite strict penalties for driving under the influence in Mississippi, motorists continue to get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. In 2012, drunk-driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of all traffic deaths in this state, according to the Department of Transportation.
If you were injured or lost a loved one due to an intoxicated motorist, contact a Jackson car wreck attorney from Ballard Law, PLLC to discuss your case. You may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
Call 769-572-5111 to schedule a free consultation. You can also learn more about car accident injury lawsuits in Mississippi by visiting USAttorneys.com.
How to Spot a Drunk Driver
Countless public awareness campaigns have advertised the dangers of drunken driving. Motorists who consume too much alcohol before getting behind the wheel endanger their own lives, as well as the lives of other drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
In Mississippi, it is illegal for a person aged 21 and older to drive with a BAC of 0.08 or higher. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a BAC of 0.08 will cause lapses in concentration, impaired perception of distance and danger, and poor muscle coordination – all of which can lead to an accident.
It’s no secret that the best way to reduce your risk of getting in a drunk-driving crash is to remain sober if you plan to drive. Unfortunately, you cannot control the actions of other motorists.
As such, you should always look for signs that other drivers are intoxicated. Keep your distance if you notice these symptoms of impairment:
- Sudden acceleration or deceleration;
- Tailgating;
- Swerving;
- Contacting the curb;
- Coming close to striking objects on the side of the road;
- Signaling for long periods of time without making a turn;
- Responding slowly to traffic signals;
- Driving on the center lane marker;
- Failing to switch the headlights on at night;
- Driving much faster or slower than the speed limit;
- Making illegal turns; or
- Driving on the wrong side of the road.
If you were injured by a drunk, distracted or negligent driver in Mississippi, contact Ballard Law, PLLC. William E. Ballard is an accident lawyer in Jackson with a reputation for tough litigation and a strategy for winning substantial settlements and verdicts for his clients.
Mr. Ballard will gather evidence, interview witnesses and help you claim the maximum compensation for medical bills, lost income and non-economic damages. You will pay no attorneys’ fees unless you recover compensation. Call 769-572-5111 to schedule a free consultation today.
