What to Do After a Car Wreck in Mississippi

A car accident can happen in seconds. What you do in the minutes, hours, and days that follow can have a significant impact on your physical recovery — and on your ability to pursue full compensation for your injuries and losses.

At Gilliam Law Firm, our car accident attorneys have represented injured Mississippians for more than 33 years. We've seen how early decisions affect outcomes. This guide walks you through exactly what to do — and what not to do — after a car wreck in Mississippi.

Step 1: Check for Injuries and Call 911

Before anything else, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Do not attempt to move anyone who may have a serious injury unless there is an immediate danger (such as fire). Call 911 immediately.

Even if the accident seems minor, call the police. A police report creates an official record of the crash — including the other driver's information, witness accounts, and the responding officer's initial assessment of fault. That report becomes an important piece of evidence in your injury claim.

Mississippi law requires drivers to report accidents that result in injury, death or property damage over $500. Always call 911.

Step 2: Move to Safety If You Can

If your vehicle is drivable and you are physically able to do so, move it to the shoulder or a safe area off the roadway to prevent further accidents. Turn on your hazard lights. If you cannot safely move the vehicle, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened and wait for help.

Step 3: Document the Scene

If it is safe to do so, use your phone to document the accident scene before vehicles are moved. Capture:

•     All vehicles involved — from multiple angles, showing damage and positions

•     The road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and any road hazards

•     The other driver's license, registration, and insurance information

•     Names and contact information of any witnesses

•     The badge number and name of the responding officer

More documentation is always better than less. Evidence from the scene disappears quickly — vehicles get repaired, weather changes the road surface, witnesses leave. What you capture in the moments after the crash may be critical to your case.

Step 4: Be Careful What You Say

Do not apologize, admit fault, or speculate about what happened — even casually. Statements like "I didn't see you" or "I'm so sorry" can be used against you later, even when you were not at fault.

When speaking with the police, stick to the facts as you know them. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company before consulting an attorney.

Step 5: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if you feel fine, seek medical attention as soon as possible — ideally the same day. Some serious injuries, including concussions, soft tissue damage, and internal injuries, do not produce obvious symptoms right away. They can worsen significantly over the following days.

Seeking prompt medical attention also creates a documented record connecting your injuries to the accident. Insurance companies frequently argue that a gap in treatment means the injuries were not serious, or were caused by something else. Don't give them that argument.

Step 6: Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

Notify your own insurance company about the accident as required by your policy. Be factual and straightforward. You are not required to accept any settlement offer at this stage — and you should not until you understand the full extent of your injuries and losses.

Step 7: Contact a Mississippi Car Accident Attorney

If you've been injured in a car accident, speaking with a personal injury attorney is one of the most important steps you can take. An experienced attorney can:

•     Evaluate your claim and advise you on the full range of compensation available

•     Handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf

•     Preserve evidence before it is lost or destroyed

•     Ensure your case is filed within Mississippi's statute of limitations

•     Pursue maximum compensation — including future medical costs and pain and suffering

Mississippi's Statute of Limitations

Under Mississippi law, personal injury claims — including car accident claims — must generally be filed within three years of the date of the accident. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to pursue compensation entirely. Do not wait.

The three-year clock starts on the date of the accident. However, evidence gets harder to gather over time — the sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your case.

What to Avoid After a Car Wreck in Mississippi

•     Don't leave the scene of the accident

•     Don't admit fault or apologize to the other driver

•     Don't give a recorded statement to an insurance company before talking to an attorney

•     Don't delay medical treatment — even for injuries that seem minor

•     Don't accept the first settlement offer without legal advice

•     Don't post about the accident on social media

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Hurt in a Mississippi Car Wreck? Gilliam Law Firm Can Help.

Gilliam Law Firm's car accident attorneys have recovered millions for injured Mississippians across Jackson, Madison County, Rankin County, Hinds County, and the entire state. Our team handles every case personally, with the preparation and tenacity that produces real results.

Your first consultation is free. Call our team today at 1-865-GILLIAM — or fill out the contact form on our website — and let's talk about what we can do for you.