The Aftermath Of A Mississippi Car Accident: The Difference Between Criminal Law And Personal Injury Laws

It is common knowledge that every time a person gets in a motor vehicle, jumps into a truck, or hops onto a motorcycle, they are at risk of getting into a serious or potentially fatal automobile accident. Car accidents are all too prevalent in the United States, and leave many people injured or dead in an instant. After a tragic car accident occurs, most people wonder what will happen to the person or people at fault, and what will happen to the victims. In Mississippi, criminal and civil laws both work to hold people accountable for car accidents caused by their own fault or negligence.

Gulfport, Mississippi Car Accident Demonstrates Criminal and Civil Laws at Work

A recent case serves to illustrate the intersection of criminal law and civil law when it comes to automobile accidents in Mississippi. According to reports, in late September, 2022, a pair of individuals were arrested in Gulfport, Mississippi in connection with a fatal car accident involving a motorcycle and a white Lexus. The two individuals, residents of Gulfport, were alleged to have been involved in the accident and were the drivers of the white Lexus. After the deadly accident, both individuals were seen fleeing the scene of the accident, and officers found the empty white Lexus and pieces of a motorcycle scattered in the roadway. Witnesses told police that they saw the two suspects “walking away” from the Lexus after the accident. 39-year-old Stanley Wayne Asher was ultimately charged with accessory after the fact, and 46-year-old Dixie Tanner Sharp was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. As of now, no further charges have been filed.

As the terrible Gulfport car accident case demonstrates, criminal charges may be brought against the perpetrators or alleged perpetrators of a car accident. But what about the family of the deceased motorcycle rider, if it turns out the accident was the fault of the individuals in the white Lexus? After investigation, even if the individuals driving the white Lexus are charged under Mississippi criminal laws, the family of the deceased motorcycle victim could still bring a lawsuit against the person or persons liable for the car accident for wrongful death under civil personal injury laws. In short, in a car accident where there is criminal liability, there may also be civil liability. Accordingly, the victims of a car accident may be able to bring a civil suit against the persons liable for the car accident, even if the persons who are liable are charged under criminal laws.

Initiating a Civil Personal Injury Lawsuit in Mississippi

If you or a family member have been injured in a car accident in Mississippi, the first thing you should do is contact an experienced Batesville personal injury lawyer. The experienced personal injury lawyers at the law offices of Lunsford, Baskin & Priebe offer a free and confidential consultation to listen to your side of the story and to see if they can help you with your car accident case. Contact the experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers at Lunsford, Baskin & Priebe today to get started with your free and confidential consultation.

Source:

wlox.com/2022/09/19/police-woman-arrested-left-scene-fatal-gulfport-motorcycle-wreck/