Personal Injury

First, make sure everyone is safe and call 911 if anyone is injured. Mississippi law requires you to stop at the scene of any accident involving injury, death, or property damage. Exchange your name, contact information, driver's license number, insurance company and policy number, and license plate. Take photos of the scene and vehicle damage. See a doctor within 24 to 48 hours, even if you feel fine. Do not discuss fault at the scene, and you are generally not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. Report accidents involving injury, death, or apparent property damage of $500 or more to the local police department if the crash occurs inside a municipality, or to the nearest sheriff's office or highway patrol station if it occurs outside a municipality.

Mississippi's general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury (Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49). However, claims against a government entity have a much shorter one-year deadline plus a mandatory pre-suit notice of claim under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act. Medical malpractice claims follow a separate statute. Because missing the deadline bars your claim completely, it is best to call as soon as possible after an accident.

Mississippi allows recovery of economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future lost earning capacity, out-of-pocket expenses), non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment, permanent impairment, disfigurement), and in some cases punitive damages for fraud, malice, or willful and wanton conduct. Mississippi follows pure comparative negligence (Miss. Code Ann. § 11-7-15), meaning your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Non-economic damages are capped by statute in most cases.

Mississippi requires every auto liability policy to include uninsured motorist coverage unless you reject it in writing. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage, you may be able to file a claim under your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Underinsured coverage is available when the at-fault driver's liability limits are lower than your UM limits. Do not settle with or release the at-fault driver before involving your UM carrier, as that can destroy your claim.

Yes. Commercial trucks are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 C.F.R. Parts 350-399), which cover driver qualifications, hours of service, drug and alcohol testing, and vehicle maintenance. There may be multiple defendants, including the driver, the motor carrier, the trailer owner, and others. Electronic evidence such as engine data and driving logs can be overwritten quickly, so a preservation letter should be sent immediately. Trucking companies deploy rapid-response teams to protect their interests, so it is important to have representation early.

The adjuster works for the insurance company, whose interest is paying as little as possible. You are generally not obligated to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurer, and you should avoid signing a blanket medical authorization that exposes your entire medical history. The first offer is usually a floor, not fair value. Once you sign a release, the claim is over. Delay is also a common tactic to pressure acceptance of less. Having a lawyer levels the playing field.

Personal injury consultations are always free, and personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. That means no fee unless we recover for you. The exact percentage is set out in a written fee agreement. Call 601-688-4110 for a free consultation about your injury claim.