{"id":374342,"date":"2017-10-20T16:18:08","date_gmt":"2017-10-20T21:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-car-accident-report-basics.html"},"modified":"2024-05-20T11:17:06","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T16:17:06","slug":"mississippi-car-accident-report-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-car-accident-report-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi Car Accident Report Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mississippi Car Accident Report Basics<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Auto accidents may happen every day, but that doesn’t make it any easier for you when you’re involved in one. If you’re like many people in Mississippi, your car is a necessary source of transportation. Your family may depend on it, and now you have to wonder what happens next<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

A very important part of your recovery process is the Mississippi Uniform Crash Report<\/a>. Filled out by the responding law enforcement officer, this police report is an essential part of the process insurance companies use to figure out blame and settlements<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

This article will focus on the crash report but will also fill you in on the relevant Mississippi motor vehicle accident laws. We’ll also touch on post-accident protocol<\/a>, state insurance codes, and what will affect the amount of money you can be awarded.<\/p>\r\n

Forewarned is forearmed. Knowing what’s important after an accident can help you achieve the best outcome possible. Read on to learn what you need to know about Mississippi Uniform Crash Reports.<\/p>\r\n

Motor Vehicle Accident Laws in Mississippi<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Driving in Mississippi comes with a great deal of shared responsibility. Every driver owes a duty of care<\/a> to other motorists to obey the traffic laws and avoid operating their vehicle recklessly. Laws related to accidents are designed to protect accident victims.<\/p>\r\n

Fault and Negligence in Mississippi<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

In the aftermath of an auto accident, everyone wants to know who will pay for their property damage and medical bills from personal injuries. Two Mississippi systems work together to provide solutions.<\/p>\r\n

To start, Mississippi is an at-fault state<\/a>. In the simplest terms, those at fault for the crash are responsible for the property damage and medical compensation of the accident victims. In most cases, damages are covered by the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.<\/p>\r\n

If your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s coverage limits, you can file a civil lawsuit<\/a> against the driver to recover the balance. You can also file a personal injury lawsuit<\/a>. If considering legal action, it’s not a bad idea to speak with a Mississippi car accident lawyer<\/a> for legal advice or possible representation.<\/p>\r\n

How much you can receive is affected by Mississippi’s pure comparative negligence doctrine<\/a>. This states that someone is eligible to receive damages as long as they aren\u2019t 100% responsible for an accident, they’re. The amount they receive will be reduced by the percentage of fault they bear. Even if you’re 99% responsible, you may still be awarded 1% of your damages.<\/p>\r\n

Pure comparative negligence can be a little confusing. So, let’s use an example where you’ve been in an auto accident. Your damages from the crash are $10,000, but you were determined to be 25% to blame for the incident. You would receive an award of $7,500 (25% of $10,000 is $2,500, so $10,000 – $2,500 = $7,500).<\/p>\r\n

The other driver in the example would only be eligible to recover 25% of their damages. For a deeper dive into how insurance awards are influenced by these two systems, read FindLaw’s Mississippi Car Accident Compensation Laws<\/a> article.<\/p>\r\n

Auto Liability Insurance Requirements in Mississippi<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Since auto accidents are an unfortunate but common occurrence, the state of Mississippi mandates liability car insurance<\/a> for all drivers. This insurance is how most accident victims are compensated<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Motorists in Mississippi are required to have certain minimums of liability insurance<\/a> on their vehicles, at least. These amounts are:<\/p>\r\n