Are You Prepared for the Aftermath of a Mississippi Car Accident? Learn about Your Legal Responsibilities and Be Better Ready when Tragedy Strikes
When a person is seriously injured in a car accident in Mississippi due to the fault of a negligent driver, it can be a difficult and confusing time. Especially in the immediate aftermath of a terrible car crash, a person may not know exactly what to do and what their legal responsibilities are. Fortunately, the Mississippi Bar provides guidance in a short article entitled “Auto Accidents: Do You Know Your Legal Responsibilities?” To help Mississippi car accident victims and survivors better understand what they should do after a serious car accident, and what their legal obligations after a serious car accident are, we share that guidance from the Mississippi Bar here.
The Immediate Aftermath of a Serious Mississippi Car Accident: Who Should I Contact?
The first thing that Mississippians likely want to know is what they should do as soon as the car stops and they are able to exit the vehicle at the scene of a serious car accident. According to the Mississippi Bar, if the car accident involved another driver, it is important to call both the police and emergency medical staff if any injuries occurred. The Mississippi Bar also advises as a safety matter to attempt, if possible, to move any involved vehicles off of the road and out of the flow of traffic.
Gathering Contact Information at the Scene of a Serious Mississippi Car Accident
Next, it is important for Mississippi car accident survivors and victims to make sure to get the names and contact information of anyone involved in the car accident. This means any drivers and occupants of the involved vehicles. It is also important to obtain the car license plates and car tag numbers of any other cars that are involved. A person involved in a Mississippi car accident should have their car registration and insurance with them so that they can show both documents to any other involved drivers and to responding law enforcement officers.
In addition to getting the contact information of anyone involved in the accident, Mississippi car accident victims and survivors should also get any eye witness contact information. They should also record the badge numbers of any police officers involved in the case.
Gathering Evidence and Filing a Report after a Mississippi Car Accident
Mississippi car accident survivors and victims will also want to gather any evidence from the scene that is safely available. This means gathering any video or photo evidence of things like damaged vehicles, skid marks, and other indicators of how the accident happened or the damage that was caused. Importantly, those involved in car accidents in Mississippi also must file a police report. Failure to do so within 10 days of the accident may lead to a fine.
Filing a Lawsuit for Compensation after Your Mississippi Car Accident
Finally, a Mississippi car accident survivor may wish to bring a case for compensation for their injuries and losses caused by the at-fault driver. In order to do so, they must file a lawsuit in court under Mississippi civil personal injury laws.
If you were injured in a car accident in Mississippi, and you need legal help, contact the experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC today and speak to an experienced lawyer about your case now.
Source:
msbar.org/for-the-public/consumer-information/auto-accidents-do-you-know-your-legal-responsibilities/
