Car Accident Claims in Mississippi
Minimum car insurance in Mississippi, whether the state is no-fault, how fault is shared, and the deadline to sue after a crash.
Short answer: A driver in a crash causing injury, death, or apparent total property damage of $500 or more must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside an incorporated city, otherwise the nearest sheriff's office or highway patrol station. Miss. Code Ann. §§ 63-3-411, 63-3-413
| Reporting a crash to police | A driver in a crash causing injury, death, or apparent total property damage of $500 or more must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside an incorporated city, otherwise the nearest sheriff's office or highway patrol station. If the driver is physically unable, another capable occupant must make the report. Police, sheriffs or the highway patrol investigate these crashes and forward a written report within 6 days. Mirror source (FindLaw, marked current as of January 1, 2025). The Department of Public Safety may require drivers to file supplemental reports and may require witness reports (§ 63-3-411(2)). |
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| Leaving the scene (hit and run) | A driver in a crash causing injury, death, or damage to an attended vehicle must stop at or return to the scene and stay until giving name, address and registration number, showing a license on request, and giving reasonable help to anyone injured, including arranging transport for medical care. A driver who gives emergency care in good faith and with reasonable care is not liable for civil damages for that care. For an unattended vehicle, the driver must find the owner or leave a note with names, addresses and what happened. Willfully leaving an injury crash: 30 days to 1 year in jail and/or a $100 to $5,000 fine. Willfully leaving a crash that causes death or serious maiming or permanent disability: a felony with 5 to 20 years in prison and/or a $1,000 to $10,000 fine. The license is revoked for these convictions. Leaving a damage-only crash with an attended vehicle is a misdemeanor. Mirror source (FindLaw, marked current as of January 1, 2025). Information and aid: https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-63-motor-vehicles-and-traffic-regulations/ms-code-sect-63-3-405/ |
| Minimum car insurance | Every motor vehicle operated in the state must have liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. Limits: https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-63-motor-vehicles-and-traffic-regulations/ms-code-sect-63-15-3.html |
| Fault rule (comparative negligence) | Pure comparative negligence. In actions for personal injury, death or property damage, the injured person's contributory negligence does not bar recovery; the jury reduces damages in proportion to that person's share of negligence. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 11-7-15 |
| Deadline to sue for an injury | Three years. Actions with no other specific limitation period, which includes most negligence personal injury claims, must be filed within three years after the cause of action accrues. For latent injuries or diseases, the time starts when the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 |
| Deadline to sue for property damage | Three years under the general limitation period for actions with no other prescribed period. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 |
More Mississippi personal injury & wrongful death
- Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in Mississippi
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Mississippi
- Medical Malpractice Rules in Mississippi
- Dog Bite Liability in Mississippi
- Sidewalk and Public Property Falls in Mississippi
- Motorcycle Accident Claims in Mississippi
- Pedestrian Accident Claims in Mississippi
- Bicycle Accident Claims in Mississippi
- Construction Site Injuries in Mississippi
- All Mississippi personal injury & wrongful death rules
FAQ
When do you have to report a car accident to the police in Mississippi?
A driver in a crash causing injury, death, or apparent total property damage of $500 or more must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside an incorporated city, otherwise the nearest sheriff's office or highway patrol station. If the driver is physically unable, another capable occupant must make the report. Police, sheriffs or the highway patrol investigate these crashes and forward a written report within 6 days.
What are your duties after a car accident in Mississippi?
A driver in a crash causing injury, death, or damage to an attended vehicle must stop at or return to the scene and stay until giving name, address and registration number, showing a license on request, and giving reasonable help to anyone injured, including arranging transport for medical care. A driver who gives emergency care in good faith and with reasonable care is not liable for civil damages for that care. For an unattended vehicle, the driver must find the owner or leave a note with names, addresses and what happened. Willfully leaving an injury crash: 30 days to 1 year in jail and/or a $100 to $5,000 fine. Willfully leaving a crash that causes death or serious maiming or permanent disability: a felony with 5 to 20 years in prison and/or a $1,000 to $10,000 fine. The license is revoked for these convictions. Leaving a damage-only crash with an attended vehicle is a misdemeanor.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Mississippi?
Every motor vehicle operated in the state must have liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
Can you recover damages if you were partly at fault in Mississippi?
Pure comparative negligence. In actions for personal injury, death or property damage, the injured person's contributory negligence does not bar recovery; the jury reduces damages in proportion to that person's share of negligence.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Mississippi?
Three years. Actions with no other specific limitation period, which includes most negligence personal injury claims, must be filed within three years after the cause of action accrues. For latent injuries or diseases, the time starts when the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.
How long do you have to sue for property damage in Mississippi?
Three years under the general limitation period for actions with no other prescribed period.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.