Getting into a car accident can leave anyone feeling rattled. Your heart’s pounding, your mind is racing, and it’s not always clear what you are supposed to do next.

After you’ve made sure everyone is okay and exchanged information, a common question pops up: Do I need to call the police? And do you need a police accident report to file an insurance claim?

Let’s look at when you should get a police report, when you can skip it, and why it matters when it comes to filing a car accident claim with your insurance company.

Is a Police Report Necessary for an Insurance Claim?

Not always. Keep in mind that having one can definitely make your life easier.

If you were in an accident, no one was hurt, and you and the other driver calmly exchanged information, you can probably file a claim without calling the police. Most insurance companies will accept your photos, notes, and an explanation of what happened.

But if things were more serious, like someone was hurt, the cars were badly damaged, or the other driver left the scene, then it is a good idea to get a police report.

The brute force involved in a rollover vehicle accident is shocking to anyone who witnesses it.

That’s why it’s a favorite of Hollywood filmmakers who want to provide an exciting jolt to their audience. Of course, in movies, the hero always manages to walk away from a rollover accident.

Unfortunately, in reality, these accidents are often extremely dangerous and deadly.

According to the most recent data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 280,000 rollover accidents are reported annually, resulting in the loss of approximately 10,000 lives among drivers and passengers.

If you or someone in your family has been the victim of a rollover accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should share your story with Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC.

We are a team of Jackson car accident attorneys dedicated to helping our clients obtain the compensation they are due for an accident that wasn’t their fault. In accidents involving rollovers, there might also be an issue with the car design, which could make the auto liable.

Before you proceed with your claim, it is essential to understand which vehicles have the highest rollover risk and how they occur.

As most motorcycle riders will tell you, riding these machines comes with a certain amount of freedom. It’s a thrilling experience to take to the open road, and a motorcycle can often go where many cars can’t. That includes riding between traffic lanes or lane splitting. But is lane splitting legal in Mississippi?

Traffic laws are designed to keep everyone on the road safe. There are specific laws depending on what type of vehicle you’re operating. For motorcyclists, lane splitting is now legal in the state of Mississippi.

This is actually a great way to reduce traffic congestion and save motorcyclists time on their trips. Although to car drivers, it might seem like motorcyclists are “cheating” by racing through a traffic jam, they are perfectly entitled to make those maneuvers provided they are obeying the other traffic laws, such as the speed limit.

Cell phones have transformed the way we communicate and access information. They’ve improved the way families can stay in touch with each other. They also provide maps, weather reports, and news.

We can use our cell phones to take pictures and videos, and even watch movies. Although cell phones offer many benefits, they are also a primary reason why distracted driving accidents occur.

Distracted driving has become such a safety concern that Mississippi enacted a bill in 2014 that bans texting and using social media while driving, but it does not prohibit using a cell phone, unlike other states that have enacted a total hands-free ban. The theory is that hands-free devices reduce the risk of distracted driving accidents.

However, that might not be entirely true, as there are still dangers with hands-free devices while driving.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident, you may already know that proving what happened and why can be a major hurdle.

Unlike other accidents, determining fault and the causes often requires an in-depth investigation. One of the most important pieces of evidence in these cases is the truck driver’s logbook and the supporting records kept by the trucking company.

These documents can tell the story of how long a driver has been on the road, whether they are following rest requirements, and whether the company is ignoring dangerous practices.

Unfortunately, they are not kept forever. These logs and records can be legally destroyed in months, sometimes before a truck crash lawsuit is even filed.

How long are truckers required to retain their logs? Here is what you need to know.

As safety continues to take center stage in school transportation, one question often arises among parents, drivers, and school administrators: Do school buses have cameras?

The answer, more often than not, is yes, but the story doesn’t end there. The use of cameras on school buses is part of a broader effort to improve student safety, prevent illegal behavior, and monitor driver conduct. Sometimes, they even help with liability issues concerning school bus, car, or truck accidents.

It’s important to know where and why cameras are installed, how the footage is used, and what legal considerations are involved.

The Growing Presence of School Bus Cameras

Across the United States, more school districts are investing in onboard camera systems. This trend is largely driven by concerns about traffic violations involving stopped school buses and the desire to reduce bullying and misconduct during transport. The cameras serve several purposes.

Some face outward to catch drivers who illegally pass buses when children are getting on or off. Others face inward to record the activity inside the bus.

Many modern school buses come equipped with a combination of interior and exterior cameras.

These systems can include several strategically placed lenses—often at the front, middle, and rear of the bus—to ensure comprehensive coverage. In some areas, new buses are required to have these systems installed as a standard safety measure, while older buses may be retrofitted with similar technology.

When a motorcyclist gets into an accident with any vehicle, that rider is going to hit the road.

It’s unavoidable, given that a motorcycle does not have the same level of support as a car. It is also why Mississippi enacted a helmet law that requires every motorcycle rider and passenger to wear a helmet approved by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (DOT).

Unfortunately, even when wearing a helmet, a motorcyclist can still suffer a form of head trauma in a collision with a car or commercial vehicle.

If you or someone in your family has been in a motorcycle accident, it’s essential that you understand what all your options are for seeking compensation for any losses. That compensation includes current and future medical expenses. Depending on the type of head trauma, there could be months and maybe years of ongoing physical therapy and treatment.

The Jackson motorcycle accident lawyers working at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, are standing by to provide the guidance and information you need to determine what the next step should be to pursue a remedy. When calculating medical expenses, it is important to provide all the pertinent medical records associated with your head trauma. Those begin with the diagnosis and report of the initial exam.

The following post provides the signs of a head trauma after a motorcycle accident that you need to be aware of.

The human spine is a structural marvel, allowing us to stand, bend, twist, and support our body weight.

But despite its strength and flexibility, it remains vulnerable to injury. Whether through sudden trauma or long-term stress, spinal cord injuries can affect mobility, cause chronic pain, and significantly alter someone’s quality of life. Among the many regions of the spine, some are more prone to injury than others.

Understanding which part of the spine gets injured most often helps clarify what causes spinal damage, how it affects the body, and why early diagnosis and treatment matter.

Understanding Spinal Structure

To pinpoint the most commonly injured region of the spine, it helps to review its anatomy. The spine consists of 33 vertebrae divided into five sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccyx.

Each of these sections plays a different role in movement and stability. The cervical spine helps support the head and neck. The thoracic spine protects the chest and anchors the ribs. The lumbar spine bears most of the weight of the body and supports movement in the lower back. The sacral and coccygeal regions form the base of the spine and are fused in adulthood, providing a foundation for the pelvis.

Injuries can occur anywhere along this column, but some areas are clearly more susceptible, especially in high-impact or repetitive-motion situations. The frequency and severity of injury often correlate with the spine’s biomechanical stress points and mobility demands.

Every driver has a duty of care for all the other drivers on the road. That duty means driving responsibly and following the traffic rules. In other words, you want to drive safely to avoid getting into an accident.

If every driver took that approach, there would be no accidents. Unfortunately, not every driver embraces that concept, and they end up engaging in irresponsible driving. That is especially true with drunk drivers. A driver who gets behind the wheel of their car while intoxicated automatically becomes liable for their actions. An intoxicated driver must be taken off the road to prevent them from causing harm to others.

Suppose you’ve had the unfortunate experience of getting into an accident with a drunk driver. In that case, you’ll need the support of an experienced Jackson drunk driving accident attorney like the ones you’ll find at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC.

We have helped many clients pursue the maximum compensation they are entitled to from a drunk driving accident.

The hope is that you can avoid getting into any accident. You can help by reporting a drunk driver.

When you are injured or have property damaged due to someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to seek compensation for your losses. The first option would be to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance carrier.

After all, that is what insurance is for, especially liability insurance for car owners.

If the claim is approved, you get a settlement, and the case is closed. However, if there is a dispute over who is at fault or the amount that you’re due, your only option might be to file a civil lawsuit. That is when you become a plaintiff.

In legal terms, a plaintiff is defined as “a person who brings a case against another in a court of law.”  Conversely, the insurance carrier and the at-fault party become defendants. Once you agree to move your claim into a civil court, it will help to get the backing of a skilled Jackson personal injury attorney like the ones you’ll find at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC.

Our legal team has over 125 years of combined experience in representing clients in civil court. If you’re considering taking civil action, it will help you to understand how to prepare for trial as a plaintiff.