In Mississippi you are not required to
report an auto accident to the Department of Public Safety as long as all the
parties involved in the accident agree about the circumstances of the accident
and the responsibilities for repairs. However,
it is always a good idea to call 911 and report the accident.
If you and the other driver make a
verbal agreement to let the insurance company handle things and not report the auto
accident to law enforcement ask yourself these questions? Is their auto
insurance up to date? Do they have auto insurance? Do they have any expired
driver’s license? Do they need medical attention? Remember it never hurts to
call the local law enforcement and report what happened. USA Today reported
that as many as one in seven drivers have no car insurance and in Mississippi
28% of drivers are uninsured. Many drivers are skirting the system by carrying an
expired or fake insurance card.
NEVER leave
the accident scene as you could face criminal charges. Regardless
of whether a wreck looks serious, you always have to stop, check on the other
person involved and exchange insurance information. In Mississippi you must
report it to the law enforcement if someone has
been injured or there has been a death or the accident
resulted in $500 or more in damages to the vehicles or property. If someone is injured
call an ambulance as soon as possible.
If you have called the police once
you have filed an accident report ask for a copy of it. If you do not get a police report
documenting your accident, what proof do you have that it happened? And you
insurance company will want a copy of it for your claim.
When dealing with the other driver you
should always ask them as soon as possible, “Are
you all right?”
Do not yell, do not lay blame on anyone
and always be polite. Never
admit liability or in any way say it is your fault. If you do, you are legally
admitting liability, which could expose you to a law suit.
Take some deep breaths and stay as calm
as possible as you need to assess the situation and document it. Be sure to
collect the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses or others
involved in the accident. If possible, take photographs to document skid marks,
vehicle damage, road obstructions and injuries. Document what you were you doing just before the crash?
Where were you going and what street were you on? When did you see the other
driver enter into the picture? You'll need to have a consistent and accurate
account of the accident to give to the
law enforcement and your insurance provider.
Make sure that you get the other
driver's name, address, and insurance company name and policy number. Then make
notes of the make, model and color of vehicle they were driving and their
license plate number. If there were any witnesses get their names and phone
numbers too.
If
there were severe injuries or a death has resulted from the accident you should
contact a lawyer as soon as possible. All too often valuable evidence
disappears, witnesses move, memories grow dim and the ability to prove your
case may diminish.
An
experienced Personal Injury attorney can provide you guidance if you are being
treated by a physician, guidance with your our medical care and help you deal
with unpaid bills. Legal advice can also be useful if you have questions about
the settlement value of a claim, your insurance policy's terms, or suspect bad
faith on the part of your insurance company. It is a good idea to consult with a
personal injury attorney before providing any other information to the
insurance company.
Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., focuses on representing individuals and their family members in
personal injury and wrongful death cases, such as those often involved in auto
accidents. Contact us and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation. With
more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients
throughout Mississippi the representation they need.
Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule
your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.