Being involved in a car accident is always a difficult experience. Accidents can cause severe injuries, property damage, and significant inconveniences to the victim’s day-to-day life. This situation is made even more difficult and frustrating when the responsible party doesn’t have insurance. You should never have to pay for your medical expenses and other expenses you incur as a result of a car accident that someone else caused. It’s important to know what steps to take in this situation. 

Insurance Laws

In the state of Mississippi, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance, with a minimum limit of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This might sound like a lot, but if you were seriously injured in an accident and your car and other property was badly damaged, you could exceed this amount easily. 

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

It’s probably unsurprising that not everyone follows this law. Fortunately, if the person who caused the accident failed to purchase auto insurance, you might not be totally out of luck. In addition to the limits stated above, most drivers in Mississippi also have uninsured motorist coverage as part of their own insurance policy. Unless you specifically opted out of this type of coverage, you probably have it. When you’re involved in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance, this part of your policy will activate and help pay for your expenses.  

Expenses that uninsured motorist coverage can pay for include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and lost future wages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident. 

If you are the one responsible for the car accident, you will not be able to utilize your uninsured motorist coverage. It only applies if fault is assigned to the other party involved. A Gulfport uninsured motorist lawyer can help you navigate your case. 

Stacking Coverage

One of the most important aspects of Mississippi auto insurance is stacking. Stacking occurs when you have more than one vehicle on an insurance policy. You can “stack” the insurance policies for all cars and you will have more coverage if you get into an accident. For example, if you have 3 cars on your insurance policy and each car has uninsured motorist coverage of $100,000 per accident, you can stack these amounts and you are entitled to collect up to $300,000 if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. 

Steps to Take After an Accident

If you’re involved in a car accident, you should take the following steps:

  1. Collect Information. You want to collect as much information from the other driver as possible, even if they don’t have insurance. This includes their name, contact information, driver’s license information, car make and model, license plate number, and VIN number if possible. Also take photographs of the damage to your car and the other party’s car.
  2. Call The Police. Always call the police to report a car accident. They will arrive on the scene and complete an accident report, which will be helpful if you decide to file an insurance claim or a personal injury claim in the future. This is especially important if the driver is being uncooperative and/or doesn’t have insurance. 
  3. Call Your Insurance Company. After the accident, you should also call your insurance company to report it. You can confirm whether you have uninsured motorist coverage as a part of your policy. 
  4. Contact A Gulfport Car Accident Attorney. It’s always wise to speak with a professional as soon as possible to discuss your options. If you’re unable to collect enough compensation through an insurance claim, you can also file a personal injury claim against the responsible party to try to collect the compensation you deserve. Whether you’re filing an insurance claim or initiating a lawsuit, you should always consult with an experienced car accident lawyer. The process can be confusing, and insurance claims aren’t always as easy as they seem. 

If you have any questions or need help with an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, contact us today to set up a free consultation.