Jackson Car Accident Attorneys

Mississippi Motor Vehicle Accident Claims

If you have been injured in a car accident in Mississippi, there are several things you should know. First, you should always seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries don’t seem that serious. Go to the hospital or see a doctor to make sure you get the medical care you need.

Second, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, as well as other accident-related costs, such as lost wages, and even non-economic losses, including pain and suffering. To have a case, you’ll need to prove that another party—such as the driver of another vehicle—was at fault. 

At Mike Slocumb Law Firm, we can help you with every aspect of your claim, from preserving important evidence to communicating with the insurance company so you don’t have to. Our Jackson car accident attorneys provide highly personalized guidance and aggressive representation of your rights. We are here to handle everything so that you can focus on what matters most: healing. 

Get in touch with us today at (769) 200-1408 to learn how we can help you after a serious car accident. Hablamos español.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Mississippi? 

Whether you were recently involved in an auto accident, or you want to prepare for the future, knowing what to do after a crash can save you time, stress, and money. Most importantly, taking the right steps after an accident can help you protect yourself and your right to file a personal injury claim. 

With that in mind, here are some things you should always do (if possible) after a car accident in Mississippi: 

• Seek Medical Attention: If you or anyone else appears severely injured, call 911. If your injuries are relatively mild, you should still see a doctor as soon as possible after the crash. The shock of the accident may mask the true severity of your injuries. Without proper treatment, they could worsen and lead to significant complications. Additionally, if you do not seek medical treatment and later experience such complications, the insurance company will almost certainly use the fact that you did not see a doctor as reason to dispute the validity of your injuries. 
• Report the Accident: Mississippi law requires you to report any accident that results in bodily injury, death, or property damage of $500 or more. You must report the accident to the police “by the quickest means of communication.” Typically, this means calling the police and having them come out to the scene of the accident, where you can file an official police report on site. However, if the police did not come to the scene of the accident, you should call the local police station, sheriff’s office, or Mississippi Highway Patrol station right away.
• Exchange Information and Gather Evidence: If possible, exchange information with the other driver(s) involved. You should, at minimum, get their name(s), contact information, and insurance information. You should also try to document the scene of the accident by taking pictures of the crash, your vehicle, your injuries, and other important details. If there were any witnesses who saw what happened, try to get their name(s) and contact information, as well as a brief statement of what they saw (if possible).
• DO NOT Admit Fault: When filing your police report or talking to the other driver(s), do not admit fault. Avoid any statements that could be construed as admitting fault, including apologizing. Although it may be instinctual to say you are sorry after an accident, this could come back to haunt you. The insurance company may use your statements to prove that you were to blame. This could negatively affect your recovery or, in certain cases, even bar you from filing a claim altogether. 
• Notify Your Insurance Company: Most insurance companies require policyholders to report auto accidents in a relatively short amount of time. Most often, you have just a few days to a couple of weeks at most to notify your insurance carrier about the crash. Make sure you read and understand your policy, including potential coverage you may have, so that you do not make any mistakes that could ultimately jeopardize your future claim. When informing your insurance provider about the accident, avoid signing anything or admitting fault.
• Follow Your Doctor’s Recommendations: It is incredibly important that you follow all of your doctor’s recommendations for two reasons: first, it ensures your continued recovery and ongoing wellbeing; second, it demonstrates to the insurance company (and court) that you did everything possible to heal from your injuries. If you fail to attend follow-up appointments, do your physical therapy exercises, or take prescribed medications, the insurance company may use this to argue that you were not really injured or did not take your recovery seriously.
• Avoid Talking to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company: Immediately after the accident, the other driver’s insurance company is likely to reach out to you and request a statement. They may even try to get you to sign an agreement settlement. You should NEVER sign anything or agree to a settlement without first speaking to a lawyer. In fact, we strongly recommend that you avoid talking to the other party’s insurance company whatsoever, as you could accidentally say something or make a mistake that jeopardizes your claim.  
• Contact a Car Accident Lawyer: While you are not required by law to hire a lawyer after a car accident, it is one of the best things you can do when it comes to protecting your rights and improving your chances of recovering the full, fair settlement you deserve. At Mike Slocumb Law Firm, our Jackson car accident attorneys have extensive experience handling all types of motor vehicle accident cases, including claims involving multiple cars, large trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and more. 

Reach out to Mike Slocumb Law Firm today to learn how we can help you after a car accident. Our team offers free initial consultations and contingency fees, so you don’t owe anything unless/until we recover compensation on your behalf.