Auto Accident Injury in Mississippi
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Mississippi? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in MS that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Mississippi
In Mississippi, the rate of car accidents and injuries is alarmingly high. In 2020, the state’s statistics for deaths on the roadway began to skyrocket, with 752 deaths in traffic, far beyond the target goal of 682 for that year. This put the numbers well over the figures of other recent years, when deaths ranged from 607 to 685, the years between 2014 and 2019. Serious injuries to motorists also similarly spiked, with the 2014-18 time frame showing incidents below 1,000 victims a year in those categories, spiking in 2019 to 1,579 total injuries that were serious, and 2020 figures now rising to 3,630, far beyond the target range of 1,452.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.
Receive Immediate Medical Attention
What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.
File a Police Report
Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.
The Mississippi Bar explains that drivers who experience a motor vehicle accident must file a report with law enforcement if there are injuries, death or property damage of at least $250 within 10 days of an accident. For all other accidents, the state does not require filing a report.
Gather the Appropriate Documentation
While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:
- Full name, address, phone number and email address
- Driver’s license state and number
- Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number
Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.
Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury
After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.
Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:
- Burn injuries
- Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Brain and head injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Laws in Mississippi
Liability Laws for MS
When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.
Mississippi follows the tort system to assign auto accident liability. It also uses comparative negligence. The driver most at fault will pay for the damages, but both drivers will have a percentage of fault that will determine damage amounts. A driver can only claim damages for the percentage of the accident for which he or she was not at fault. For example, a driver assigned 40% fault can claim 60% of the damages.
Statute of Limitations in MS
Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims due to a motor vehicle accident is three years. This is the general statute of limitations, but there are exceptions. For example, a wrongful death claim has a statute of limitations of one year.
This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.
Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer In Mississippi
After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in MS!
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