Is Mississippi a no fault state?

Mississippi has some of the most dangerous roads in the U.S., ranking near the top of motor vehicle accident fatalities per capita. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2019, Mississippi saw a total of 581 fatal motor vehicle accidents, with 643 people killed in those accidents.

Given the risks of driving on Mississippi roads, drivers should familiarize themselves with its insurance rules. In particular, drivers should learn whether or not Mississippi is considered a “no-fault” state for insurance purposes.

Why You Should Care If Mississippi Is a No-Fault State

In a “no-fault” state, auto insurance policies must provide personal injury protection or medical payments coverage to drivers and their passengers when they are injured in a car accident.

The no-fault system requires motorists and passengers to turn to their own insurance for compensation before holding the at-fault driver responsible. In addition, many no-fault states limit what an auto accident victim can be compensated for in a car accident claim unless they have suffered “significant” injury or pay higher insurance premiums.

However, Mississippi is instead considered an “at-fault” or “tort” state. This means that if you are injured in a car accident in Mississippi that another driver caused, you can seek full compensation from the at-fault driver and their insurance company for:

• Medical bills
• Past and future lost wages and earnings
• Pain and suffering or lost quality of life

In addition, auto insurance often costs less in at-fault states like Mississippi compared to no-fault states. In no-fault states, drivers effectively bear all or some of the cost of their own injuries even when another driver caused the accident.

Do I Need to Report a Car Accident in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, drivers involved in a car accident are required to report an accident to the police for the following reasons:

• The accident either involved more than $500 of vehicle or property damage
• Someone was injured or killed in the accident

Calling the police to the scene of the accident is sufficient to fulfill the reporting obligation. Although, if the police are not called, the drivers must file a written accident report within ten days.

Mississippi’s Penalties for Driving without Insurance

Under Mississippi law, every driver is required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage, which could be used to compensate those who’ve been injured in collisions. If a driver is caught without the legally required insurance minimums, they could be cited for a misdemeanor offense.

and face penalties that include a fine of up to $1,000 as well as a driver’s license suspension of up to one year. Drivers will also need to provide proof of auto liability insurance and pay DMV reinstatement and renewal fees before their license is reinstated.

Talk to Our Experienced Injury and Accident Attorneys at Derek L. Hall, P.C. in Jackson, MI Today

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact the Jackson personal injury attorneys at Derek L. Hall, P.C. for help. We’ll provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident and your legal options.

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What to Do After a Mississippi Truck Accident

Truck accidents ruin the lives of thousands of people nationwide every year, including in Mississippi. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) says there were close to 4,500 fatal truck accidents across the country in one recent year, along with 114,000 crashes where someone suffered an injury.

Collisions between trucks and other vehicles frequently result in severe injuries, so it’s essential to take steps immediately to get the help you need and protect your right to seek compensation.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Mississippi

Here’s what you need to do to protect yourself and your rights if you’re involved in a truck accident in Mississippi:

• Call 911. Trucks often inflict major injuries in accidents because of their large size and weight. Even if your injuries seem minor at first, call 911 right away to bring police and emergency medical personnel to the scene. The police will investigate the crash and file a truck accident report you can use later on. Medical personnel may also evaluate you for any potentially serious injuries, including ones that haven’t yet shown symptoms.
• Get the necessary information from the truck driver. To file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit after a truck accident, you’ll need certain information from the truck driver. This includes their name, contact information, commercial driver’s license number, personal auto insurance information, and their employer’s name and commercial auto insurance information. Without this information, it will be much harder for you to recover compensation for your injuries.
• Document the crash scene. Before leaving the scene of a truck accident, take a few moments to document what happened as best you can. If your injuries aren’t too severe, take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, damage to the truck, any injuries you sustained, and the area around the crash site.
• See a doctor. Chances are, medical personnel will bring you to a hospital after a truck accident for a more thorough medical evaluation. If not, see your doctor as soon as possible. You may have major internal injuries that haven’t fully manifested and require emergency medical treatment. Your doctor can also help you document all the injuries you’ve suffered.
• Save all your medical records. Your medical records are crucial when it comes to recovering compensation for your injuries in a Mississippi truck accident. Be sure to hold on to them.
• Don’t talk to any insurance adjusters until you’ve spoken to a lawyer. Insurance adjusters play a key role when it comes to claiming compensation after a truck accident, so you need to be careful about what information you give them. Your best bet is to say nothing and let an attorney handle all communications with the various insurance companies.
• Don’t say anything on social media. Anything you say about a truck accident, regardless of the audience, can potentially come back to bite you when you claim compensation. Because of this, it’s in your best interest to avoid posting information on social media until your case is resolved.
• Hire a Mississippi truck accident lawyer. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you pursue full compensation for your injuries and the different financial and personal losses you suffered in the truck accident.

Talk to Our Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys in Jackson, MS Today

Still have questions about what to do after a Mississippi truck accident? We are here to help.

Contact the law offices of Derek L. Hall, PC, today for a free initial consultation.

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