WLBT recently reported on an accident that occurred in Hinds County, MS that involved one vehicle and a cow. Master Sergeant Eric Henry said that the single-vehicle accident occurred on Highway 18 near Midway Road after 31-year-old Joel Johnson hit a cow. After striking the animal, the driver then left the road and struck a tree.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department were called to the scene of the accident where they found the driver deceased. The cow also did not survive the accident. The news source has stated that the MHP is currently investigating the incident to determine why it occurred.
Mississippi Stock Laws
Mississippi, like other states, has put laws into place for owners of livestock that aim to keep animals off the roadways to prevent accidents from occurring. Although the news source did not disclose how the animal from the incident described above got into the road, it is important to address what Mississippi’s livestock laws are in the event you ever find yourself involved in a similar accident in Jackson, MS.
Under Mississippi law, “Any person or persons owning or having under control any livestock such as cattle, horses, mules, jacks, jennets, sheep, goats, and hogs, shall not permit such livestock to run at large upon the open or unfenced lands of another person, but shall keep such livestock confined in a safe enclosure or upon lands belonging to such person.” It is important to note that there are some exceptions to the law depending on where the accident occurred, but generally, a livestock owner is required to keep their animals enclosed in a safe space so that they are unable to walk freely.
In the event you were to engage in an accident in Jackson, MS that was caused by someone’s livestock that was roaming freely, you could potentially sue the owner of the animal for damages. How would you do this? Well, you would need to hire a Jackson, MS injury lawyer who would first determine if you have a viable case against the livestock owner. Given you do, they could help you file a civil lawsuit where you would request that the owner pay you what you believe is a reasonable amount given the damage the accident caused.
For instance, you might request compensation for property damage, medical expenses if you suffered injuries, and even lost income if the accident has interfered with your ability to work. Now, although accidents involving livestock aren’t as common as car crashes and truck collisions, they do happen so knowing your legal rights is extremely important, especially if the accident is serious in nature.
Now, if you were involved in any type of accident in Jackson, MS that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you can always contact the Heilman Law Group, PA at 601-914-1025 to speak with a skilled Jackson injury attorney to learn more about what your legal rights are.