Don’t Get Wrecked Twice: Understanding Loss of Use After a Mississippi Car Accident

You might need an Ocean Springs MS car accident lawyer loss of use for your car.

Being the victim of a car accident in Ocean Springs, Mississippi is stressful enough.

Your car is likely damaged, you might be dealing with injuries, and the insurance companies are already calling. On top of everything else, you’re left without a vehicle.

But did you know Mississippi law allows you to recover compensation for the inconvenience of being without your car?

Again, it’s called “loss of use,” and it can help ease the financial burden while your car gets repaired.

Ocean Springs Car Accident? What is Loss of Use?

Loss of use refers to the money you’re entitled to when your car doesn’t work because of an accident that wasn’t your fault.

This covers the inconvenience of being without your primary mode of transportation.

In Mississippi, loss of use is typically calculated by determining the reasonable rental cost of a similar vehicle for the duration your car is undergoing repairs.

What Is Loss Of Use And Why Does It Matter After An Ocean Springs Car Accident | The Legal Basis for Loss of Use in Mississippi

The Mississippi Supreme Court established the legal right to recover loss of use in the landmark case National Dairy Products Corp. v. Jumper (1961) [241 Miss. at 344, 130 So. 2d at 923].

This case set the precedent that the reasonable rental value of a comparable car is a fair and objective way to measure the damages incurred from being unable to use your own vehicle.

Jumper further clarified that you don’t necessarily need to rent a car to claim loss of use. Even if you opted for alternative transportation like carpooling or relying on public buses, you can still recover compensation for the inconvenience caused by the loss of your car.

Maximizing Your Recovery: How an Ocean Springs Car Accident Lawyer Can Help with Loss of Use Claims

Maximizing Your Loss of Use Claim For Your Ocean Springs Car Accident

Here are some key steps to ensure you maximize your loss of use claim:

Gather Evidence: Document the extent of the damage to your car with photos and repair estimates. This establishes the period your car was unavailable.

Maintain Records: Keep receipts for any alternative transportation you used during the repair period, such as rental car invoices, bus tickets, or ride-sharing app receipts.

Know Your Rights: Mississippi law allows you to recover for a “similar” car. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a luxury vehicle if your car was a basic sedan. However, if you rely on a truck for work or have special needs requiring a specific type of car, ensure you have documentation to support the need for a comparable replacement.

Negotiate with Your Insurance Company: Be prepared to negotiate with your insurance company or the at-fault party’s insurer for a fair settlement that reflects the true cost of inconvenience.

What Can Affect Your Loss of Use Claim For Your Ocean Springs Car Accident?

There are a few factors that might influence the amount you receive for loss of use:

Availability of Rental Cars: If rental cars are scarce in Ocean Springs during the repair period, it could strengthen your claim for a higher daily rate. However, the availability of rentals won’t necessarily prevent you from recovering loss of use even if you didn’t rent a car.
Length of Repairs: The longer it takes to fix your car, the greater the potential loss of use compensation.
Delays Caused by the Insurance Company: If the insurance company unreasonably delays repairs or approvals, it could bolster your claim for additional compensation.

Don’t Let the Insurance Company Wreck Your Loss Of Use Claim

Insurance companies are in the business of minimizing payouts. They might try to downplay the inconvenience of being without a car or undervalue the cost of a comparable rental. Here’s where having an experienced car accident lawyer in Ocean Springs on your side becomes crucial.

An Ocean Springs Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you need help just settling property damaged, I do NOT charge anything to help you with this.

Let me repeat that since you probably don’t believe it (I wouldn’t believe anything coming from a lawyer either because I don’t trust them as far as I can throw them!): I do NOT charge anything to help you settle your property damage or loss of use.

How come I don’t charge for this?

Because if I charged you for this, there would not be enough money for you to get your car fixed. I just don’t feel right doing that. And the truth is, if I do this for you for free, you’ll remember me and hire me in the future when you really need a lawyer.

I can:

Fight for a Fair Settlement: I will negotiate aggressively with the insurance company to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve for loss of use.
Gather Evidence: I will collect and analyze all the necessary documentation to support your claim.
Navigate Legal Complexities: I will handle the legalities of your case and ensure you understand your rights throughout the process.

The Free Book That Can Help You Win Your Case

As I said, I don’t charge anything to help you with loss of use. But, if you think you might need a lawyer for the injury part of your case. . .

BEFORE You Hire A Lawyer. . .

BEFORE You Talk To The Insurance Company. . .

Read My FREE Book First!

Just click on Top 5 Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Car Wreck Case to get your FREE Book!

I reveal secrets in this book that lawyers and insurance companies don’t want you to know!