What Are My Legal Responsibilities After a Mississippi Car Accident?

Whether you were involved in a car accident or witnessed a car accident, you may be wondering what your legal responsibilities are. In this article, Merkel & Cocke, P.A. will explain what you are required to do if you are involved in this type of situation. Our lawyers know that car accidents can be traumatizing, stressful, and overwhelming, which is why we strive to help our clients understand how to handle these unfortunate circumstances.

People who caused the car accident

If you have caused a Mississippi car accident, you have the following legal responsibilities:

• Contact the police
• Call for emergency medical treatment if you believe someone is hurt
• Move your vehicle off the road, if possible and safe, to allow traffic to go by
• Give your personal information to other drivers who were involved in the car accident, such as name, license number, address, and car tag numbers
• Prepare to show the police and driver your insurance information and vehicle registration

People who did not cause the car accident

If you were involved in a car accident but it was not your fault, you still have legal responsibilities, including the following:

• Contact the police
• Call for emergency medical treatment if you believe someone is hurt
• Get the personal details of the driver who hit you, such as their name, license number, address, and car tag numbers
• Take pictures and video footage of the vehicles and the scene of the accident
• Get in touch with your car insurance company to notify them of the accident

People who just witnessed the car accident

You may have witnessed a car accident and are wondering what your legal responsibilities are. Here are a few different things that you should consider doing:

• Stop at the scene of the accident
• Offer to call law enforcement or help if anyone is injured
• Even if no one appears hurt, you may want to consider calling emergency medical services to evaluate the individuals involved in the crash
• Provide your name and address as a witness to the accident

What happens if you fail to report an accident?

In Mississippi, police officers or drivers must file a written report when an accident occurs. The timeframe is 10 days if an individual is injured or if the damage is over $250. If you choose not to file a report, you may receive a misdemeanor charge and your driver’s license could be suspended.

Keep in mind that when you are filing a report, everything written must be factual and correct. Providing any false information is against the law and could result in penalties.

How to protect an accident scene in Mississippi

Whether there is traffic near the accident site or not, it is very important to try to protect the accident site. The reasons for this are because you do not want other people to get in an accident and you do not want anyone interfering with the evidence of the crash site before law enforcement arrives.

If you have flare lights or cones, consider placing them around the car accident site as they will alert traffic that an accident has occurred and to go around. You should also turn on hazard lights on all vehicles if possible. This lets cars know that an emergency situation is going on in case they are wondering why your vehicle is not moving.

Some people fail to protect the accident site because they do not realize how crucial this step can be to preventing further car accidents from happening. It does not require much time or effort and will ensure that the site of the accident remains as safe as possible, especially if you are on a busy highway or interstate.

How can a Mississippi car accident attorney help?

A car accident attorney in Mississippi is fluent in the laws surrounding car accidents. Our lawyers are educated and experienced in helping clients navigate these types of cases. We will help you understand what is going on with your case as well as provide advice on what to do going forward.

We recommend not expressing any fault as these types of statements may be used against you. Even if you think you were partially to blame for the car accident, you should consult with a Mississippi car accident lawyer first. These legal professionals will collect evidence and investigate your case to determine the factors that are associated with the roadway or drivers that could have contributed to the car wreck.

If you are interested in filing a lawsuit against a driver for negligence or reckless behavior, you should hire a skilled attorney. Make sure you also document every damage that has occurred since your accident, including medical care costs, vehicle repairs or replacements, car rental costs, and loss of pay.

If you have recently been involved in a car accident and are curious about your legal options, our Mississippi car accident attorneys are here to help you. Our lawyers can schedule your appointment at one of our offices in Jackson, Clarksdale, Greenville and Oxford. Merkel & Cocke, P.A. provides helpful advice and ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve for your claim. While each of the steps mentioned in this article are very important, securing a knowledgeable lawyer may be one of the most crucial ones you can take when it comes to your case.

Our team will make sure that your rights remain protected and that no costly mistakes are made during the process. You can rest assured knowing that we have helped many other clients with situations just like yours, and we will do our best to provide the assistance you need, as well. If this sounds like a good fit, please do not hesitate to call our office or submit our contact form at your earliest convenience. We can schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.