Pascagoula Pedestrian Accident

Whether you’re walking to lunch, getting in your steps for the day, or headed home from work, walking should be a safe and healthy way to get around Pascagoula. Unfortunately, statistics do not back that up. Pedestrians are at significant risk of being hit by cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles, often through no fault of their own.

If you or someone you love has been hit while walking, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. It all starts with talking to a personal injury attorney about your options. Take the first step now and call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-374-5151 to schedule a consultation.

Pedestrian Collisions in Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Transportation maintains statistics on pedestrian accidents and other traffic collisions. Pedestrian injuries are the fifth most common cause of injury-related fatalities in the United States for children aged five to 19. Teens are at greatest risk of death, but younger children are also in serious danger when out walking. Shockingly, statistics indicate that pedestrian deaths make up 14% of all traffic deaths.

While pedestrian accidents can occur anywhere, there are certain areas that are considerably more dangerous than others. The vast majority of pedestrian collisions resulting in deaths occur in urban settings, as opposed to rural settings. People often believe that most collisions happen at intersections, but most fatalities actually occur at non-intersections.

Furthermore, people often attribute pedestrian accidents to poor weather. However, most fatalities happen in normal weather conditions—sunny, clear days with no inclement weather. Fewer accidents occur in snowy, foggy, or rainy weather. Most fatalities happen during nighttime hours.

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?

Understanding the root causes of pedestrian accidents can make it easier for people to keep themselves safe. When an accident occurs, insurance companies and attorneys use this information to determine what happened and who is at fault. Some common triggers of pedestrian accidents include:

• Pedestrians not crossing at an intersection. As noted earlier, most fatal accidents do not happen at intersections. Because of this, pedestrians should always cross at crosswalks whenever possible. Although drivers do have an obligation to watch out for pedestrians in the road, they are less likely to stop on time if a pedestrian starts crossing in the middle of the street.

• Vehicles failing to check crosswalks before turning. Turns create the perfect opportunity for a pedestrian collision. When a driver is waiting to turn right at a red light, they may check for cars coming from the left without stopping to check if any pedestrians are crossing from the right. This can lead to collisions and injuries. Along the same lines, left-turn accidents can happen if a driver tries to run through a light without checking for pedestrians.

• Pedestrians traveling in the wrong direction. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk when it is available. If they must travel in the road, it is important to walk against the flow of traffic. This allows them to keep an eye on oncoming traffic and remain visible to drivers. When pedestrians walk in the same direction as traffic, it is easy for drivers to miss them and possibly cause a crash.

• Speeding. Speeding is a factor in many pedestrian collisions. Drivers who ignore the speed limit or drive too fast for conditions are often unable to stop if they see a pedestrian.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

If you are hit by a car while walking, it’s important to act quickly to get the care you need and protect yourself. Take the following steps to ensure your safety and explore your legal rights:

• Call 911. You need proof of the accident to file a claim against the driver. Since you don’t yet know what injuries you may have or how serious they are, it is important to report the accident and get it documented.
• Limit communication with the driver. The driver may have a range of responses once they realize they hit you. Many are apologetic and want to check that you’re okay. However, there are some drivers who get aggressive, demand to know why you were crossing the road, or claim that the accident was your fault. It’s best to have communication go through the police.
• Take pictures of the area where the accident occurred. Include street signs and any other identifying information that will help your attorney understand how and where the collision occurred.
• Tell the responding police officer what happened and ensure that your side is in the police report. It’s unfortunately common for police officers to leave out the pedestrian’s side of the story in the police report. Insist that your retelling of events be given the same weight as the driver’s.
• Seek medical attention. Get checked out right away. Accidents can leave you with serious injuries that are invisible to the naked eye. If you need prompt care, immediate detection and diagnosis is essential.
• Call an attorney. An attorney can help you seek compensation from the liable party. This will help you cover medical bills, lost wages at work, and other financial losses associated with the accident.

How Our Team Can Help You

Getting the compensation that you deserve after a pedestrian accident is surprisingly difficult. Insurance companies know that pedestrian accidents can be extremely expensive, so they have an incentive to minimize your claim or injuries. If you speak to the driver’s insurance company, don’t be surprised if they downplay your injuries, try to shift blame to you, or even imply that you are faking your injuries. This is all to limit the amount they pay you—if they plan on offering anything at all.

At Reeves & Mestayer, we believe that victims deserve better. By investigating the crash and getting a full understanding of what happened, we can determine how much your claim is worth. From there, we will negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company to fight for full and fair compensation.

Call Reeves & Mestayer to Explore Your Legal Options

After a pedestrian accident, having the right attorney can make all the difference. Take the first step in your personal injury claim now by calling Reeves & Mestayer at 228-374-5151 or contacting us online.

Pascagoula Pedestrian Accident Claims: Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a pedestrian accident in Pascagoula? 

Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries and call the local law enforcement to report the incident officially. Gather contact information from any witnesses at the scene and photograph the surrounding area, vehicle damage, and your visible injuries. Avoid admitting fault or speaking extensively with insurance adjusters before consulting an experienced legal professional who can protect your rights.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Mississippi? 

Mississippi maintains a strict three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including pedestrian accidents. This means you generally must file your lawsuit within three years from the exact date the accident occurred. Failing to initiate legal proceedings within this specific timeframe usually results in the court permanently barring you from recovering any compensation for your losses.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the accident? 

Mississippi follows a pure comparative negligence legal rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you share a percentage of the fault. The financial recovery you receive will simply be reduced by your exact percentage of shared responsibility. For instance, if you are found twenty percent at fault, you can still collect eighty percent of the total awarded damages.

What types of financial compensation can I claim after a pedestrian accident? 

Victims can typically pursue economic damages such as past and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages from missed work. You may also recover non-economic damages for physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and a diminished quality of life. In rare cases involving gross negligence or extreme recklessness, the court might award additional punitive damages to punish the driver.

What if the driver who hit me fled the scene in a hit-and-run? 

If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Pascagoula, immediately report the details to the police to aid their investigation. You may still be able to seek compensation through your own automobile insurance policy if you carry uninsured motorist coverage. An attorney can help investigate nearby surveillance cameras and locate eyewitnesses to identify the fleeing driver and hold them fully accountable.

Who can file a wrongful death claim if a pedestrian dies from their injuries? 

Under Mississippi Code § 11-7-13, specific surviving family members have the legal right to file a wrongful death claim following a fatal pedestrian accident. This typically includes the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased individual. The designated personal representative of the estate may also file the lawsuit on behalf of all surviving beneficiaries to recover funeral costs, lost support, and grief damages.

Should I speak with the insurance adjuster representing the at-fault driver? 

You should exercise extreme caution and avoid giving a recorded statement or accepting any early settlement offers from the other driver’s insurance company. Adjusters often try to minimize payouts or trick you into admitting partial fault for the collision. It is usually much safer to let your legal representative handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance carriers on your behalf.

What are the common causes of pedestrian accidents in Pascagoula? 

Many pedestrian collisions occur due to driver negligence, such as distracted driving, texting behind the wheel, speeding, or failing to yield the right-of-way. Poor visibility, inadequate street lighting, and drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs also contribute significantly to these dangerous accidents. Pedestrians are completely unprotected, meaning these negligent actions frequently result in catastrophic injuries or fatal outcomes.

How much does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer? 

Most personal injury attorneys handle pedestrian accident claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. The lawyer only receives an agreed-upon percentage of the financial recovery if they successfully win your settlement or court award. This fee structure allows injured victims to access high-quality legal representation without worrying about expensive hourly rates or out-of-pocket expenses during recovery.

What evidence is crucial for proving liability in my pedestrian claim? 

Critical evidence includes official police accident reports, medical records detailing your injuries, and photographs of the scene and traffic conditions. Eyewitness testimonies, nearby surveillance footage, and smartphone recordings can also provide undeniable proof of the driver’s negligence. Additionally, expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists may be utilized to establish exactly how the collision occurred and demonstrate fault clearly.

How long will it take to resolve my pedestrian accident claim? 

The timeline for resolving a claim varies significantly based on the complexity of the case, the clarity of liability, and your recovery progress. Simple cases involving clear-cut negligence may settle in a few months, while complex disputes requiring litigation can take over a year. Your attorney will work diligently to ensure you reach maximum medical improvement before finalizing any settlement negotiations.

What should I do if the insurance company denies my valid accident claim? 

If an insurance company wrongfully denies your claim, do not panic or assume you have run out of options for recovering compensation. Your attorney can review the denial letter, gather additional supporting evidence, and file a formal appeal or bad faith lawsuit. Legal counsel will aggressively challenge the insurer’s decision and fight to ensure you receive the maximum financial compensation you rightfully deserve.

Last Updated: September 2026