When Distraction Turns Deadly: Mississippi Roads at Risk
- Attorney Sean Buckley
- 7 minutes ago
- 3 min read
In the blink of an eye lives were turned upside down—because another driver took their eyes off the road. Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous and preventable causes of car accidents in Mississippi, and it’s only getting worse.
Whether you’re driving along I-10 through Biloxi or navigating a busy local street, distractions behind the wheel are everywhere—and the consequences can be devastating.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention away from the task of driving. It falls into three main categories:
Visual – Taking your eyes off the road
Manual – Taking your hands off the wheel
Cognitive – Taking your mind off driving
The most common and dangerous example? Texting while driving, which combines all three.
But it’s not just texting—drivers can be distracted by:
Using GPS or changing music
Eating and drinking
Talking to passengers
Reaching for items in the car
Daydreaming or driving while fatigued
Why Mississippi Roads Are Particularly at Risk
Mississippi ranks among the top states for traffic fatalities per capita, and distracted driving is a major factor. Here's why our roads are especially vulnerable:
High-speed corridors like I-10, US-90, and Highway 49
Heavy truck traffic through the Gulfport-Biloxi area
Inconsistent cell service leading drivers to fiddle with phones or GPS
Long rural drives that can lead to fatigue or zoning out
These conditions create the perfect storm for distraction-related accidents—and it’s often innocent drivers or passengers who pay the price.
What the Law Says About Distracted Driving in Mississippi
Mississippi law currently bans texting while driving for all drivers, but handheld phone use is still permitted. The penalty for a texting violation? A $100 fine. That’s hardly a strong deterrent.
Until Mississippi adopts stricter hands-free laws, the responsibility falls on drivers—and the civil justice system—to hold negligent individuals accountable.
Injured by a Distracted Driver? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’ve been injured in a crash and suspect distracted driving was involved, your case may hinge on proving that distraction played a role. Key evidence can include:
Cell phone records
Eyewitness accounts
Police crash reports
Dashcam or surveillance video
Expert accident reconstruction
At the Law Offices of Sean Buckley, our job is to uncover and preserve that evidence—before it’s deleted or denied.
Why Hiring a Lawyer Matters
Distracted driving cases can be legally complex. You may be up against a driver who denies wrongdoing, an insurance company that minimizes your injuries, or even questions about your own driving. Mississippi follows a pure comparative fault rule, meaning your compensation can be reduced if you're found partially at fault—but you can still recover damages even if you share some responsibility.
That’s why having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can make all the difference.
You Deserve Accountability—and Compensation
Distracted driving is not just careless—it’s dangerous and often deadly. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve more than just an apology. You deserve justice.
At The Law Offices of Sean Buckley, we help injury victims across Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast recover compensation for:
Medical bills and future treatment
Lost income
Pain and suffering
Permanent disability or loss of quality of life
📞 Schedule Your Free Case Review Today
Don’t wait—evidence disappears fast, and the insurance companies act even faster. Let us protect your rights and fight for what you deserve.
Contact The Law Offices of Sean Buckley today at (228) 933-4411 for a free case evaluation. 175 Main Street, Biloxi, MS 39539. Your recovery starts with one phone call.
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