Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.
Detailed Answer
Under Mississippi law, proving another driver’s negligence in a collision at a traffic signal or exit ramp requires establishing four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
1. Duty and Breach
All drivers owe a duty to obey traffic signals and yield the right-of-way. Key statutes include: Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-303 (obedience to traffic-control devices) and Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-603 (yielding when entering or merging).
Evidence of breach may include:
- Police reports citing signal violations or failure to yield.
- Red-light camera or surveillance footage showing the violation.
- Eyewitness statements describing the driver running a red light or merging improperly without yielding.
- Traffic signal timing records from the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).
2. Causation
You must show the breach directly caused the collision. Useful evidence:
- Accident reconstruction reports illustrating impact angles and speeds.
- “Black box” event data recorder information with braking and speed data.
- Photographs of skid marks, vehicle damage, and roadway marks.
3. Damages
Document the harm you suffered to establish damages:
- Medical records, bills, and treatment summaries.
- Pay stubs or employment records to show lost wages.
- Repair estimates and invoices for vehicle damage.
Helpful Hints
- Preserve all physical evidence, including photos and video, immediately after the accident.
- Obtain a certified copy of the official Mississippi Highway Patrol accident report.
- Collect contact information for witnesses at the scene.
- Note environmental conditions: weather, lighting, and road surface status.
- Track all medical treatments, appointments, and related expenses.
- Consider consulting an attorney experienced in Mississippi traffic and personal injury law early in the process.