Tupelo is a vibrant city in northeast Mississippi known for being the birthplace of Elvis Presley. With a growing population of over 38,000 residents, Tupelo sees its fair share of road traffic daily as people commute to work, school, and other activities.
Unfortunately, more traffic often leads to a higher number of car accidents. While crashes can theoretically happen anywhere, there are certain roads, intersections, and areas in Tupelo where collisions occur more frequently.
As a Tupelo resident, it’s important to be aware of these high-risk locations so you can use extra caution when driving through them. Knowing where accidents are most likely, you can avoid a crash and stay safe behind the wheel.
Here, our Tupelo car accident lawyers examine in depth the streets and spots in Tupelo with the highest number of car wrecks.
Main Roads and Highways
Many Tupelo accidents occur on the city’s busiest and most heavily trafficked thoroughfares. Higher speed limits and a constant flow of vehicles, highways, and major arterial roads create prime conditions for collisions.
Here are some of the main roads in Tupelo with the highest accident rates:
Highway 45 (N Gloster Street)
Also known as N Gloster Street, as it passes through Tupelo, this major four-lane highway bisects the city from north to south. With a speed limit of 55 mph, crashes on Highway 45 can occur at high velocities and cause severe damage and injuries. Many accidents happen when vehicles enter or exit the highway at one of the many intersections.
Highway 78 (I-22)
This is another main transportation corridor that runs east-west through Tupelo, connecting the city to Memphis, TN, and Birmingham, AL. Now designated Interstate 22, this four-lane divided highway has a 70 mph speed limit in rural stretches but slows to 50-60 mph near Tupelo. Speeding, distracted driving, and congested merging areas contribute to crashes on this route.
Main Street
True to its name, Main Street is one of the primary surface streets running through the heart of downtown Tupelo. With two travel lanes in each direction plus a center turning lane, Main St sees heavy traffic, leading to frequent accidents, especially during rush hour. Intersections along Main Street are some of the biggest hotspots for crashes in the city.
McCullough Boulevard
This major four-lane road runs northeast-southwest through Tupelo and provides access to many neighborhoods, businesses, and amenities on the city’s west side. With a speed limit of 40-45mph, McCullough Blvd has a steady stream of traffic and, subsequently, many wrecks and fender benders.
Thomas Street/Cliff Gookin Blvd
Thomas St and Cliff Gookin Blvd form a major corridor on the east side of Tupelo, connecting with Main Street and US 45. These are heavily traveled four and five-lane surface streets with 40-45 mph speed limits. Crashes frequently occur along these roads, especially during peak traffic times.
Dangerous Intersections
While the major highways and arterial streets account for many of Tupelo’s car accidents due to their sheer traffic volume, certain intersections throughout the city have become notorious for wrecks.
These intersections see many collisions due to heavy traffic, confusing layouts, visual obstructions, or ill-timed traffic lights.
According to data from the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Tupelo Police Department, here are some of the most dangerous intersections in the city:
Main Street & Gloster Street/Hwy 145
Traffic reports frequently cite this junction in the heart of downtown Tupelo as the single most dangerous intersection in the city. Main Street and Gloster Street are major four-lane roads, so the intersection has heavy traffic.
Vehicles turning left from all directions must contend with multiple lanes of oncoming traffic. Pedestrians crossing the streets add another element of risk. There are often pileups here, especially during rush hour.
Cliff Gookin Boulevard & S Thomas Street
This busy intersection of two major four and five-lane roads on the city’s east side is a magnet for accidents. With vehicles entering the intersection from multiple directions, it can be difficult for drivers to safely judge when to proceed. Crashes often occur when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way or misjudge the speed of oncoming vehicles.
McCullough Boulevard & W Main Street
On the west side of Tupelo, this junction of two heavily traveled four-lane roads is a frequent scene of collisions. The intersection’s design can make it challenging for drivers to see approaching vehicles. Accidents often happen when motorists attempt risky left turns or run red lights.
Coley Road & Cliff Gookin Boulevard
This meeting of two busy four-lane streets in east Tupelo has a high rate of wrecks. Heavy traffic and vehicles turning across lanes from all directions make negotiating the intersection tricky. Many accidents occur when drivers fail to yield properly or misjudge gaps in traffic.
Eason Boulevard & S Gloster Street
This intersection of two major commercial thoroughfares on the city’s south side sees numerous crashes. Vehicles entering and exiting nearby businesses and parking lots add to the heavy traffic flow.
Distracted driving is also a problem on these roads lined with restaurants and retailers.
Other Factors
In addition to dangerous roads and intersections, some other geographic and environmental factors contribute to high accident rates in certain parts of Tupelo:
School Zones
Areas around Tupelo’s schools see increased traffic during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. With buses, cars, young pedestrians, and new teen drivers converging at schools, the risk of accidents rises. Streets around Tupelo High School and Milam Elementary are especially prone to crashes.
Commercial Areas
Retail corridors like N Gloster St and Barnes Crossing Road have higher rates of accidents due to factors like heavy traffic, vehicles entering and exiting parking lots, and distracted driving as motorists look for their destination. Drivers should use extra caution in busy commercial districts.
Weather Conditions
Inclement weather can lead to more accidents citywide. During heavy rains, slick road surfaces and reduced visibility contribute to crashes. Ponding water on Highway 45 and parts of Main Street sometimes causes vehicles to hydroplane. Occasional winter storms also create icy, hazardous driving conditions.
Rural Roads
Accidents that occur on rural roads outside the Tupelo city limits can be more likely to cause serious injury or death. Factors like higher speed limits, lack of safety features like guard rails and lighting, sharp curves, and ditches beside the roadway make the consequences of a crash on rural roads more severe.
Damages in a Tupelo Car Accident Case
If you’ve experienced a car accident in Tupelo caused by someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses and harm you suffered. These losses, known as “damages” in legal terminology, can encompass a wide range of the crash’s physical, financial, and emotional consequences.
It is important to work with an experienced Tupelo car accident attorney who can identify and document your damages to build a strong case for maximum compensation.
Here’s an overview of the main types of damages that may be available in a Tupelo car accident claim:
Medical Expenses
One of the most common damages in a car accident case is compensation for medical costs related to injuries sustained in the crash.
This can include reimbursement for:
- Emergency room visits
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries and procedures
- Doctor’s office visits
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment like crutches or braces
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Ongoing or future medical treatment costs
See a doctor immediately after an accident, even if you don’t think you were seriously hurt. Some car accident injuries like concussions or internal bleeding may not show symptoms immediately but can cause major problems later. Promptly getting medical care documents your injuries and connects them to the accident.
Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments, complete your prescribed treatments, and save copies of all medical bills and records. Your lawyer can use these to prove the extent and costs of your accident-related medical needs.
Lost Income
Accident injuries often force victims to miss work while they recover and heal. If you’ve had to take time off work or use sick leave or disability time because of the crash, you can seek compensation for your lost income and benefits.
Damages can include:
- Missed paychecks from being too injured to work
- Lost sick days or vacation time used during recovery
- Lost commissions, bonuses, or other job benefits
- Missed promotion or career advancement opportunities
In severe cases, a car accident may cause injuries that disable the victim to where they cannot return to their previous job at all. They may have to take a lower-paying position or even stop working altogether. In these situations, damages can include compensation for loss of future income and earning potential throughout the victim’s career.
Property Damage
If the crash caused damage to your vehicle or other personal property, you can pursue compensation for repair or replacement costs.
This includes:
- Repair estimates or bills for your damaged car
- Reimbursement for a totaled vehicle’s fair market value
- Damage to personal items in the car during the crash, like phones, glasses, or clothing
- Cover rental car expenses while your vehicle undergoes repairs
Pain and Suffering
Some of the most substantial damages in a serious car accident case are often the non-economic ones that don’t come with a specific price tag or bill.
Compensation for “pain and suffering” damages aims to cover the tangible physical, mental, and emotional impacts a crash can inflict on your life.
Examples include:
- Physical pain and discomfort from injuries
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Anxiety, depression, or PTSD triggered by the trauma of the accident
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Inconvenience of medical treatments and transportation challenges
- Loss of enjoyment of hobbies, activities, or life in general
Punitive Damages
In rare cases where the at-fault party acted with gross negligence or willful malice, the court may award additional damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar misconduct.
You may be eligible for punitive damages if your accident resulted from a driver who was intoxicated, drag racing, or intentionally trying to harm you.
Understanding the full value of your damages is key to achieving a fair outcome in your Tupelo car accident case. An experienced attorney can advocate for you when dealing with insurance companies and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Don’t accept an inadequate settlement offer without consulting a lawyer about your rights and options.
Contingency Fees in Tupelo Car Accident Cases
After a serious crash, many injured victims are concerned about the cost of hiring a car accident attorney to help with their case. They may already be facing substantial medical bills and property damage expenses, all while missing paychecks from time off work.
Fortunately, most Tupelo car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which makes professional legal representation accessible to victims at any income level.
What is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee is an arrangement where the client does not pay the lawyer any upfront fees for their services. Instead, the lawyer only collects a fee if they successfully recover money for the client through a settlement or court award. The attorney’s fee is contingent on winning the case.
Lawyers typically calculate contingency fees as a percentage of the total amount recovered. The fee percentage may be lower if the case settles quickly without needing to file a lawsuit or higher if the case involves litigation and trial.
Contingency fee arrangements give car accident victims access to experienced legal advocacy without financial risk. Your attorney should be transparent about their fee structure and work diligently to resolve your case for the highest amount possible.
Remember, most of your compensation will go directly into your pocket, so it’s advised to have a skilled lawyer fight to maximize your settlement.
Insurance companies are more likely to offer a fair payout when you have professional representation. Your lawyer can also help identify and document your damages to build a strong case for full and fair compensation.
Speak to a Tupelo Car Accident Lawyer
The effects of a serious car accident can impact your health, finances, transportation, job, and quality of life. Fortunately, you don’t have to handle a Tupelo crash alone.
Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney is a smart step to explore your legal options and seek the settlement you need to move forward after a wreck.
