Mississippi Traffic Accident Reports

In 2018, there were 10,874 traffic accidents in Mississippi. Of those accidents, 3,341 resulted in injuries and 201 resulted in fatalities. Here is a closer look at those numbers: 

-Fatalities: 

Of those 201 fatalities, 143 involved motor vehicles, and 58 involved pedestrians. 14 of the pedestrian fatalities and 71 of the motor vehicle fatalities were alcohol-related. 

-Injuries: 

Of those injuries, 1,964 were to occupants of motor vehicles and 1,377 were to pedestrians. 346 of the pedestrian injuries and 918 of the motor vehicle injuries were alcohol-related. 

-Property Damage: 

In 2018, 7,333 cases of property damage resulted from traffic accidents in Mississippi. 

2019 Statistics 

In the state of Mississippi, there were a total of 2,301 traffic accidents in the year 2019. Out of those accidents, 684 resulted in someone being injured and 90 resulted in a fatality. The majority of the accidents occurred in urban areas, with 1,834 taking place in cities and towns and 467 taking place in rural areas. 

The most common type of accident was a rear-end collision, with 1,031 such accidents occurring. This was followed by sideswipe collisions (occurring when two vehicles collide while traveling in the same direction) with 511 reported incidents. Head-on collisions (where two vehicles collide while traveling in opposite directions) were the third most common type of accident, occurring 248 times. The fourth and fifth most common types of accidents were single-vehicle accidents (accidents where only one vehicle is involved) and hit-and-run accidents (where one driver leaves the scene of an accident before exchanging information with the other driver), respectively. 

Human error was identified as a contributing factor to approximately 80% of all traffic accidents that occurred in Mississippi. The most common form of human error was distracted driving, which played a role in 23% of all traffic accidents. This was followed by fatigued driving (a form of distracted driving where the driver is so tired that they can no longer focus on the road), which contributed to 8% of all traffic accidents. Other forms of human error included DUI (driving under the influence), speeding, and aggressive driving. 

Inattentive driving was also identified as a major problem on Mississippi roads. Inattentive driving occurs when a driver is not paying attention to the road because they are preoccupied with something else. This could be something as innocuous as daydreaming or fiddling with the radio, or it could be something more serious like texting while driving or checking social media notifications. 

There are many reasons why traffic accidents happen. Some are due to factors beyond our control, such as weather conditions or poorly maintained roads. However, the vast majority of traffic accidents are due to human error. 

Distracted driving is one very common cause of car accidents. Distracted driving is defined as any activity that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving—and many things can distract us behind the wheel: using our cell phones; eating; drinking; talking to passengers; grooming; reading maps; watching videos; and adjusting our stereo or climate controls are just some examples. Anything that takes our hands off the wheel, our eyes off the road, or our mind off what we’re doing can be classified as a distraction—and any one of these distractions can lead to an accident. 

If you are involved in a traffic accident in Mississippi, you are required to report the accident if someone is injured or there is more than $500 in property damage. This report must be filed within ten days of the accident, and failure to do so may result in a fine. The easiest way to report the accident is to call 911 right away while you’re still on the scene. 

The traffic accident report will include the following information: 

• The date, time, and location of the accident 
• A description of the vehicles involved in the accident 
• The names and contact information for all parties involved in the accident, as well as any witnesses 
• A description of the injuries suffered by any parties involved in the accident 
• A description of the damage done to all vehicles involved in the accident.

In Mississippi, traffic accident reports are maintained by the local law enforcement agency that responded to the scene of the accident. If you were involved in an accident and would like to obtain a copy of the report, you will need to contact the law enforcement agency that responded to the accident. 

Generally, there is a fee for obtaining a copy of a traffic accident report. Traffic accident reports will not be released until all investigations have been completed and the case has been closed. In some instances, the information contained in traffic accident reports may be exempt from public disclosure under Mississippi's public records laws. 

If you need assistance obtaining a copy of a traffic accident report, you should consider contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer in Mississippi. A lawyer can help ensure that you obtain a copy of the report and can help you navigate any exemptions to public disclosure that may apply.

Most people don't know what to expect after being in a traffic accident. You may be wondering how much compensation you are entitled to, and the answer will vary depending in large part on the severity of your accident. 

If you've been in a minor accident, your compensation will likely be limited to your medical expenses and any damage to your vehicle. However, if you've been in a serious accident, your compensation could include both your medical expenses and your lost wages. If you've been permanently disabled as a result of your accident, you may also be entitled to receive compensation for your pain and suffering. 

Another factor that will affect the amount of compensation you receive depends on the egregiousness of the other driver’s behavior. If it was particularly dangerous, you may be entitled to punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish the other driver for their negligence and deter them from driving recklessly in the future. 

If you've been involved in a car accident in Mississippi, it's important that you report it to the authorities as soon as possible. Failure to do so could result in a number of penalties, including the suspension of your driver's license. 

Under Mississippi law, drivers are required to report any accident that results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500. If you fail to report an accident, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and face up to six months in jail and/or a $500 fine. 

In addition, if you don't report an accident, your driver's license could be suspended for up to one year. And if you're involved in another accident while your license is suspended, you could be facing even more serious penalties, including up to five years in prison. 

So, if you've been involved in a car accident, don't take the risk of being charged with a crime or having your driver's license suspended—make sure to report it to the authorities right away. 

You may have been in a traffic accident and feel fine. You may have sustained only property damage. You are wondering, do I really need a lawyer? The short answer is, it depends on the circumstances of the accident. However, it’s always advisable to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney just to be safe. 

You may need a lawyer under the following circumstances: 

• You have been injured and have medical bills to pay 
• The other driver was clearly at fault and their insurance company is not accepting responsibility  
• The other driver does not have insurance 
• Your car was totaled and you are still making payments 
• You lost wages because you could not work while you recovered from your injuries 
• Your injuries are permanent and will require lifelong care. 

An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to help you navigate the legal process, deal with the insurance companies, and get you the compensation you deserve. If you have been in a traffic accident, contact our office today for a free consultation.

Are you the victim of a traffic accident? If so, you may be wondering what your next step should be. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a traffic accident claim and get the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Morgan & Morgan have been handling traffic accidents for decades, and we are all experienced in negotiating and litigating these types of claims. Over the years, we have recovered billions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We will do whatever it takes to get you what you deserve. If you need help obtaining Mississippi traffic accident reports or have any other questions, contact Morgan & Morgan today to schedule a free consultation.