Mississippi Car Accident Report Basics

By Kit Yona, M.A. | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq. | Last reviewed May 20, 2024

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 very important part of your recovery process is the Mississippi Uniform Crash Report. 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.

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, state insurance codes, and what will affect the amount of money you can be awarded.

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.

Motor Vehicle Accident Laws in Mississippi

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

Fault and Negligence in Mississippi

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.

To start, Mississippi is an at-fault state. 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.

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

How much you can receive is affected by Mississippi's pure comparative negligence doctrine. This states that someone is eligible to receive damages as long as they aren’t 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.

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).

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 article.

Auto Liability Insurance Requirements in Mississippi

Since auto accidents are an unfortunate but common occurrence, the state of Mississippi mandates liability car insurance for all drivers. This insurance is how most accident victims are compensated.

Motorists in Mississippi are required to have certain minimums of liability insurance on their vehicles, at least. These amounts are:

$25,000 liability coverage for personal injury or death to a single person in a single accident
$50,000 liability coverage for personal injury or death to two or more people in a single accident
$25,000 liability coverage for property damage in a single accident

While these amounts are the legal requirement in Mississippi, be aware that you will be personally responsible for any settlement amount exceeding your car insurance coverage maximum. Consider purchasing greater coverage amounts at a higher premium cost.

Dealing with insurance companies after an accident can be bewildering and frustrating beyond words. Knowing what to expect and knowing how long can offer peace of mind. Take a look at FindLaw's Mississippi Car Accident Settlement Process and Timeline article for a helpful step-by-step explanation.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Mississippi

It's normal to be rattled and disoriented after an auto accident. Take a deep breath and compose yourself before reacting. While it'll be difficult to remember all the things to do, try your best.

It's important to understand that motorists in Mississippi have legal obligations at the scene of the accident. No matter how minor the accident may seem, don't leave the accident scene until you've spoken with the other driver(s).

Check on the well-being of everyone involved, including yourself. If there are any injuries, call 911 and let the operator know. You're required by law to call law enforcement if any of the following conditions apply:

If there are any injuries
If there are any fatalities
If there's more than $500 of property damage

Given the low damage threshold, it's a good idea to call the police for any auto accident you're involved in. If you're in an incorporated municipality, alert the local police. For crashes on highways or outside of a town's limits, contact the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP).

After taking pictures of the scene of the accident from multiple viewpoints, move the vehicles to a safe location if possible. Whether or not you've summoned the police, exchange contact information, driver's license numbers, and insurance policy numbers with the other driver(s).

Reach out to your insurance carrier from the scene if you can and alert them to the accident. They'll open a case for the claim you're going to file.

If you were injured, seek medical attention. Make sure to keep copies of all medical expenses—insurance companies will demand documentation. If at any point you feel out of your depth, consider consulting a personal injury attorney for guidance.

The Mississippi Uniform Crash Report

Another good reason to always have law enforcement respond to your car accident is to make sure there's a police report created. The Uniform Crash Report will be part of the process used by the insurance companies involved to determine fault and damages. You'll also require a copy if you pursue any legal remedy.

The investigating officer will take statements from everyone involved, including drivers, passengers, and any witnesses. When it's your turn to give your side, be calm and truthful. Even if you think the accident might have been your fault, don't admit it.

The officer will combine these statements with the facts they observe at the scene of the accident. Some of the data they'll gather includes:

General information, such as time of day, lighting, weather conditions, the type of roadway and its condition, traffic signals and signs, the location of any cameras that might provide footage, and more
Driver's license numbers, addresses, insurance information, date of birth, license plate numbers, phone numbers, and other contact information from all involved drivers
Diagram(s) showing how the vehicles involved collided, their positions, and the damage to each
Types of injuries, whether care was accepted or refused, and any ambulances or hospitals involved
Sobriety of involved drivers
Exact location

Since the responding officer wasn't a witness, the report should be objective in nature. By itself, it should not make any specific determinations of fault.

Note that if no police respond, you will have to write up a crash report if there is an injury, a fatality, or more than $250 of property damage. It must be given to the police within 10 days of the accident. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor and risks license suspension.

You'll need copies of the Uniform Crash Report for both your insurance claim and any possible lawsuits. Where you get it from will depend on which law enforcement agency you dealt with at the scene of the crash.

If local police handled your accident, you can get a copy at the police department of the responding officer for $15. You can also get a copy online for $20.

If the Mississippi Highway Patrol was at the scene, you can get a copy at one of their patrol stations or through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) website.

Summary of Mississippi Car Accident Report Laws

The chart below recaps the above information related to Mississippi car accident reports, including links to important code sections.

Relevant Mississippi Automotive Statutes (Laws)	Mississippi Code Title 63. Motor Vehicles & Traffic Regulations: Section 63-3-401 to 63-3-409 (requirements at scene of accident) Section 63-3-411 to 63-3-417 (police notification and report) Section 63-15-3 (mandatory liability insurance minimums)
Law Enforcement Notification Required?	Must notify police if the accident involves injury, death, or total property damage to an apparent extent of at least $500, regardless of who is at fault
Reporting of Auto Accident Deadline	Must notify police by quickest means of communication available
Accident Report Required?	If law enforcement files a report, the driver(s) don’t need to file a report unless requested by the Mississippi DPS
Who Must Report?	The driver involved in the accident If the driver is physically incapable of reporting the accident, and there was another occupant of the vehicle, the occupant must make the report The DPS may require drivers and witnesses to file additional reports

Note: State regulations are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts that include federal decisions, ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.