Car accidents can be life-altering events. Not only do they cause physical injuries, but mental ones as well.

When we think of the aftermath of a severe crash, we often focus on the physical injuries sustained by those involved.

At Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, we have seen how the emotional and mental toll can be damaging for severe car accident survivors. Let’s take a look into the mental impact of these traumatic incidents and explore coping strategies for survivors.

While a certain minimum vehicle insurance is mandated in Mississippi, uninsured motorist coverage is not. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is extra insurance protection if a driver is in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Uninsured motorist coverage must be offered to all drivers in Mississippi. However, drivers can opt-out in writing. If you do choose to keep your UM coverage, you must purchase a minimum $25,000/$50,000 policy.

So, do you need uninsured motorist coverage in Mississippi? The quick answer is it depends.

We’ll explain the ins and outs of UM coverage and why it might be a good idea to have it, especially in the Magnolia State.

When you’ve been involved in a vehicle collision, and have suffered injuries or damage, generally the at-fault party’s insurance policy offers you compensation for your expenses like property damage and medical bills.

With mounting medical bills, car repairs, or any number of other financial stressors, car accidents can be devastating, and if you’re injured and can’t work, you need compensation to cover the costs you have.

But what happens when a car accident claim exceeds insurance limits?

We’ll discuss standard policy limits and what you can do if your car accident claim exceeds insurance limits.

A State Highway Safety Report from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) states an upward trend in Mississippi car accidents, with 772 fatalities and 3,562 serious injuries from car accidents in 2021. This matches the overall increase for the United States as there were 46,980 total motor vehicle fatalities in 2021, an 11% rise from 2020, as shown by data from the National Safety Council (NSC).

Car accidents happen every day all around us, and sometimes we’re involved despite our best efforts to stay safe on the road. These accidents can range from minor fender benders to very serious or fatal major crashes. According to the data mentioned above, roughly 64 people died each month in Mississippi from car accidents in 2021. That’s about two to three car accident fatalities every day.

You got in a car accident. You called 911 to have the police come to the crash scene to create a report. Now, you’re wondering if the police automatically send your collision investigation report to insurers or if you need to secure a copy of it and get it to them yourself. Our Jackson car crash attorneys will address that question below and also other steps you should take following an accident.

You’ve been hurt in an auto accident, and now you need help with your medical bills, car repairs, daily expenses, and more. Where do you turn for help? If another driver’s negligent or reckless behavior behind the wheel played a role in your wreck, Mississippi state law affords you the right to recover compensation for your accident-related damages.

Compensation for motor vehicle accidents is typically paid through the at-fault party’s auto insurer. In the majority of cases, these injury claims are settled without anyone ever having to go to court. However, Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC cautions against accepting the first settlement offer that comes your way. Let’s take a more in-depth look at when car accident claims should be settled.

You’re injured, hurting, and need compensation to support your post-accident recovery. So if you didn’t cause the crash, who pays for these costs? Mississippi is an “at-fault” state for car accident liability. This means that whoever is responsible for causing a crash is also responsible for any related damages or costs incurred by victims. These costs are generally covered by the at-fault party’s auto insurer.

However, in the confusion that so often follows an accident, do you know how to find out if someone has car insurance?

There are a lot of things to worry about after being involved in a traffic accident. Seeking medical care, notifying your insurance company, and working to fix or replace your vehicle are usually among the most pressing needs following a collision.

If you’re filing an insurance claim or seeking compensation from the at-fault party’s auto insurer, there are several pieces of critical evidence you will need to secure. One of the most important pieces of evidence after a vehicle collision is the police accident report.

Below, we’ll walk you through the steps of how to get a crash accident report in Mississippi.

Celebrating a birthday, college graduation, or wedding with a drink is a common practice that many Mississippi residents participate in. While there’s nothing wrong with toasting to the goodwill of friends and loved ones, it can become a problem when a person decides to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after a night of drinking.

Most people underestimate how much alcohol has affected them and overestimate their driving abilities. At Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, we would like to stress the importance of not driving after drinking. If you remain unconvinced, consider the ways in which blood alcohol concentration (BAC) affects driving ability.

Being in a car accident is a scary experience for anyone—no matter how minor or severe the crash. Your first concern should always be the safety and well-being of yourself and any passengers that were in the vehicle at the time of the collision.

But once all injuries are treated, and the dust has settled, there’s often another looming issue: determining the value of a car after an accident.

Any vehicle property damage incurred in the collision will have an effect on the value of your car post-crash. It’s very possible that you will be dealing with diminished value, which can impact how much you can sell your car for in the future. Even a new car completely repaired after an accident can have a lower market value than an older one that was never involved in a crash.