Your Personal Injury & Bankruptcy Attorneys on the Gulf Coast

Injured in a Holiday Car Accident in Mississippi? Here’s Why These Crashes Spike — and How to Protect Your Rights

Free Consultation
December 31, 2025

The holiday season brings more than cheer—it also brings some of Mississippi’s most dangerous driving conditions and a spike in holiday car accidents. Whether you were headed to a Christmas gathering, out for New Year’s Eve, or just running errands in December traffic, one crash can upend everything.

At Davis & Davis, PLLC, we help injured drivers and passengers across the Mississippi Gulf Coast recover what they’re owed after preventable holiday accidents. With more than 55 years of combined experience, we know what makes December roads so risky—and how to fight back when insurance companies try to delay or deny your claim.

Why Do Holiday Car Accidents in Mississippi Increase During the Holidays?

December consistently sees a sharp rise in car accidents—not just across the country, but here in Biloxi, Gulfport, and throughout the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Common causes include:

  • Holiday Travel: Highways like I-10 and Route 90 fill with out-of-town traffic.
  • Drunk and Drugged Driving: Alcohol-involved crashes spike around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
  • Distracted Drivers: Phones, GPS, and holiday stress lead to more rear-end and intersection collisions.
  • Poor Visibility: Fog, wet roads, and shorter days make conditions more dangerous.
  • Fatigue and Frustration: Long days, late nights, and anxious travel can slow reaction times.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities in December involve alcohol-impaired driving, making the holiday season one of the most dangerous times of year to be on the road.

What Should I Do If I Was Injured in a Holiday Car Accident?

Even if your car accident happened days or weeks ago, you still have legal options. Following the right steps early on can protect both your health and your ability to recover compensation. The Mississippi Insurance Department’s Auto Accident Checklist outlines key actions to take immediately after a crash — including calling the police, documenting the scene, and exchanging information. Here’s what to do:

1. Seek Medical Treatment

Injuries like concussions or soft tissue damage may not show symptoms right away. Get evaluated by a doctor and document all treatment.

Learn about common car accident injuries that could appear hours or even days after a crash.

2. Keep Your Records

Photos, witness contacts, police reports, and insurance letters all help build your claim. Save everything.

3. Be Cautious With Insurance

Insurers may rush to settle or delay your claim after the holidays. Don’t sign anything until you speak with an attorney.

4. Contact a Lawyer

You only have three years to file under Mississippi law—but evidence disappears fast. We help you move quickly to protect your rights.

For a detailed overview of what to do after a car accident in Mississippi, including how to protect your legal rights and preserve evidence, check out our full guide.

Who Is Liable in a Drunk Driving Accident During the Holidays?

Drunk and impaired drivers are typically liable when they cause harm—but they may not be the only responsible party.

  • The driver is responsible for your injuries and losses.
  • Bars or hosts may be liable under Mississippi’s dram shop laws if they overserved the driver. Mississippi Code § 67-3-73 allows for civil liability when a business or host serves alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated, and that person later causes injury or death.
  • Your insurance may also offer compensation if the driver was uninsured or underinsured.

Proving liability in a holiday DUI case often depends on timely evidence, such as breathalyzer results, witness statements, or traffic camera footage. That’s why early legal intervention matters.

For a closer look at what to do immediately after a drunk driving crash, see our blog on steps to take after being hit by a drunk driver.

Do Insurance Companies Delay or Deny Claims More Often in December and January?

Yes—and we see it every year. Why?

  • Increased Claims: More crashes mean slower processing times.
  • Holiday Staffing: Fewer adjusters during December and early January.
  • Quick Lowball Offers: Insurers know many families are financially strained post-holidays.
  • Fault Shifting: They may try to assign you partial blame under Mississippi’s pure comparative fault law.

If your insurance company delays or denies your claim unfairly, you can report it to your state’s Department of Insurance. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), state regulators can investigate unfair denials, delays, or violations of your rights—and take enforcement action when necessary.

If you accept a quick settlement, you may lose your right to additional compensation—even if your injuries worsen later.

How Can Davis & Davis, PLLC Help After a Holiday-Season Car Accident?

We’ve been helping Mississippi families recover after accidents for decades. Whether your wreck happened on Christmas Eve or during New Year’s weekend, we’re ready to step in and fight for your full recovery.

We Help With:

  • 18-wheeler and multi-vehicle wrecks
  • DUI-related crashes
  • Rear-end collisions at intersections
  • Wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases

We handle:

  • Full accident investigation
  • Evidence preservation and witness interviews
  • Insurance negotiations and litigation, if needed
  • Compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and more

People Also Ask: Holiday Car Accidents in Mississippi

Why do car accidents increase during the holiday season in Mississippi?

Because of traffic congestion, distracted driving, impaired drivers, and poor visibility.

What should I do if I’m injured in a holiday car accident?

Seek medical care, document everything, don’t sign anything from insurance, and call a lawyer.

Who is liable in a drunk driving accident during the holidays?

The drunk driver, and possibly bars or hosts who overserved them.

Do insurance companies delay or deny claims more often in December?

Yes. They may delay claims due to staffing or push low offers because of holiday financial strain.

How can Davis & Davis, PLLC help after a holiday-season car accident?

We provide full legal support—from investigation to negotiation—so you get the compensation you deserve.

Real Legal Help After a Holiday Crash

A car accident during the holidays can turn your life upside down. But you don’t have to face it alone.

At Davis & Davis, PLLC, we fight for the injured—holding negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable. With decades of proven results, we know how to help you recover what you’ve lost and move forward with confidence.

  • Over 55 years of combined experience
  • Aggressive representation with compassion
  • Free consultations and home/hospital visits available

Ready to Get Help After a Holiday Car Accident?

If you were injured in a car crash during the holidays, don’t try to handle the insurance company alone. Evidence can disappear quickly, and adjusters may already be working to limit what they pay.

Contact Davis & Davis, PLLC at (228) 275‑9922 or request your FREE consultation online today. We’re ready to step in, protect your rights, and start building your case the right way.

Address
2635 Pass Rd
Biloxi, MS 39531
Map & Directions
Request Your Consultation
(228) 275-9922
Follow Us
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation.
This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
© 2025 All Rights Reserved.
wpChatIcon
wpChatIcon
cross