Find out more about your legal duties after a car accident in Mississippi, like rendering aid to the injured and reporting it to the police.
If you ever get into a car crash in Mississippi, it’s essential you understand the state’s car accident laws. Even if the collision wasn’t your fault, there are certain legal responsibilities you must fulfill.
This page explains drivers’ obligations after an accident and provides tips for handling these situations. You can also review Chapter 3 of the Mississippi Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulations Code to learn more about your legal duties.
1. Mississippi Driver Exchange of Information Law
Mississippi law requires you to stop and remain at the scene of an accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage. You then must exchange information with the other drivers involved, including your name, address, and vehicle registration number. You must also display your driver’s license if requested.
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person shall immediately stop and remain at the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of Section 63-3-405.
Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic or endangering the life of any person more than is necessary.
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or damage to any vehicle shall give his name, address and the registration number of the vehicle he is driving and shall, upon request and if available, exhibit his operator’s license.
2. Mississippi Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
According to Mississippi law, any driver involved in an accident is legally obligated to provide “reasonable assistance” to anyone who is injured.
This includes transporting the injured person to a hospital if it is apparent that medical treatment is necessary or the injured person asks to go. You can also make other arrangements for their transportation, such as calling an ambulance.
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident shall render to any person injured reasonable assistance, including the carrying, or the making of arrangements for the carrying, of such person to a hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary or if such carrying is requested by the injured person.
3. Mississippi Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
In Mississippi, the law requires you to report any collision that causes injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500 to local law enforcement. However, if the driver is physically unable to make the report, another occupant of the vehicle who is capable must do so.
The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent extent of $500 or more shall immediately, by the quickest means of communication, give notice of the collision to the local police department.
Whenever the driver of a vehicle is physically incapable of making a required accident report and there was another occupant in the vehicle at the time of the accident capable of making a report, such occupant shall make or cause to be made said report.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Mississippi?
Failing to report an accident in Mississippi is considered to be a misdemeanor offense. For your first conviction, the maximum penalty is a $100 fine or 10 days imprisonment. However, if you are convicted of three offenses within one year, you can face fines of up to $500 and up to 6 months in jail.
It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the provisions of Chapter 3 of this title, unless such violation is by such chapters or other law of this state declared to be a felony.
Every person convicted of a misdemeanor for a violation of any of the provisions of such chapters for which another penalty is not provided shall for first conviction thereof be punished by a fine of not more than $100.00 or by imprisonment for not more than 10 days.
4. Mississippi Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
Under Mississippi law, you still must stop at the scene of an accident where nobody gets hurt if there’s damage to a vehicle. You must also exchange information with the other parties involved and show them your driver’s license if they ask to see it.
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle shall immediately stop and shall remain at the scene of such accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of Section 63-3-405. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to any vehicle shall give his name, address and the registration number of the vehicle he is driving and shall, upon request and if available, exhibit his operator’s license.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Mississippi?
If you hit a parked car in Mississippi, the law requires that you stop and either locate and notify the owner or leave a note. Either way, you must provide them with your name and address, as well as the name and address of the person who owns the vehicle you were driving if it’s not yours.
The driver of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle which is unattended shall immediately stop and either locate and notify the owner of the name and address of the driver and owner or shall leave in a conspicuous place a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and owner and a statement of the circumstances thereof.
After a car accident in Mississippi, it’s important that you take the necessary steps to comply with the law. By taking the time to learn more about your legal obligations, you can avoid serious consequences after a crash.
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