Can Families File Claims After a Deadly Jackson County Pickup Wreck?
A Monday evening collision on Wade-Vancleave Road in Jackson County left one man dead and another critically injured. Deputies arrived around 6:30 p.m. to find a pickup that had veered off the roadway and struck several trees. The 31-year-old driver from Hurley was still belted in and was airlifted to USA Medical Center in Mobile. His 33-year-old passenger, identified as Joshua Welzbacher, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. As the cause remains under investigation, affected loved ones may explore civil claims with the help of Jackson, Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys.
Potential legal claims in Jackson County
Mississippi law allows wrongful-death actions when negligence leads to a fatal crash. Plaintiffs could allege that the driver failed to maintain control of the vehicle or that a defect in the pickup contributed to the wreck. Survivors and injured parties may also pursue separate personal-injury claims, seeking compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Leading Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys can guide families through the evidence-gathering process—such as securing accident reports, witness statements and expert reconstructions—to build a robust case.
What does it cost to file a wrongful-death lawsuit?
Q: How much will it generally cost to initiate a lawsuit in Jackson County Circuit Court?
A: Filing a wrongful-death complaint typically requires a clerk’s fee of $300–$350. Additional upfront expenses can include service-of-process fees (approximately $20–$50 per defendant), court-reporter and deposition costs ($200–$400 per day) and expert-witness retainers (often $2,000–$5,000). Altogether, families should plan for $3,000–$8,000 in initial costs before trial.
Expected compensation for injury and loss
Q: What compensation can claimants expect in successful wrongful-death and injury cases?
A: Economic damages reimburse funeral and medical bills, loss of financial support and ongoing care costs. Non-economic awards cover mental anguish, loss of companionship and pain and suffering. In cases of egregious negligence—such as a high-speed crash—courts may also grant punitive damages to deter similar conduct. Typical settlements in Mississippi for fatal single-vehicle accidents range from $250,000 to over $1 million, depending on factors like the decedent’s earning capacity and the strength of liability evidence.
How attorneys can assist and support families
Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys coordinate every stage of litigation:
- Evidence preservation: Obtaining and analyzing accident-scene data, vehicle-damage reports and medical records
- Expert engagement: Retaining accident-reconstruction specialists and medical professionals to testify on causation and damages
- Negotiation and trial: Handling insurer communications, mediating settlements or aggressively advocating in court
Early involvement of skilled Attorneys ensures critical deadlines—such as Mississippi’s three-year statute of limitations for personal injury—are met and that all potential defendants (including vehicle manufacturers or maintenance providers) are identified.
Why choose the Law Office of Malouf & Malouf
Through USAttorneys.com, families can connect with top-rated firms. The Law Office of Malouf & Malouf offers dedicated wrongful-death and injury representation across Mississippi, combining local expertise with a nationwide network of legal resources. Their team advances case costs on contingency, so clients owe nothing unless they secure compensation.
A Hurley man survived a wreck on Wade-Vancleave Road Monday but was airlifted to USA Medical Center; his 33-year-old passenger died at the crash site. Jackson County deputies are investigating the cause of the pickup’s collision with multiple trees.