Blog
Accidents happen every day, and their aftermath can linger long beyond the crash itself. Whether it’s dealing with insurance, medical bills, or understanding how long an accident stays on your driving record, there are many things to consider after a collision.
For residents of Mississippi, it’s important to know what to expect when an accident is added to your record and how it can impact you. The Morgan Law Group, injury and accident lawyers in Mississippi, is here to help shed light on what this means for Mississippi drivers and what options may be available to manage your driving history.
Mississippi Accident Statistics
According to data from the State Highway Safety Report Safety, thousands of traffic accidents happen every year. In recent years, Mississippi ranked among the top states in the nation for traffic fatalities. This high rate of accidents and fatalities highlights the importance of responsible driving and understanding the effects an accident can have on your driving history.
In 2022 alone, Mississippi saw 3,344 serious injuries from motor vehicle crashes. These statistics reflect the importance of being fully informed about how accidents impact your driving record and how they affect your insurance rates, employment opportunities, and driving privileges.
What Is in a Driving Record in Mississippi?
Your driving record in Mississippi is a comprehensive history of your behavior behind the wheel. It includes information on traffic violations, license suspensions, DUIs, accidents, and any points you may have accumulated due to reckless or unsafe driving.
When an accident occurs, whether it’s your fault or not, it will likely appear on your driving record. This information is used by insurance companies to determine rates, by potential employers during background checks, and by law enforcement if you are pulled over.
Driving records in Mississippi are generally maintained by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS). It is crucial to monitor your driving record because any incident can have a lasting impact on your life. Insurance companies will often review this record when determining whether to increase your premium or even whether to extend or renew your policy.
Number of Years an Accident Stays on Your Record
In Mississippi, most accidents remain on your driving record for three years. However, the length of time an accident remains may vary based on the severity of the incident, whether there were any injuries, and the nature of the accident itself (e.g., DUI-related accidents can stay on the record for much longer).
For standard accidents that do not involve alcohol or drugs, you can generally expect them to stay on your driving record for three years. However, more serious accidents may remain on your record for five years or longer. During this period, your insurance company will consider the accident when calculating your premiums, which often means a substantial increase in your insurance rates.
As a driver, you need to be aware of how long accidents remain on your record to properly assess the impact on your insurance and driving privileges.
Can You Remove the Accident Early on Your Record?
While there is no formal process for early removal of an accident from your driving record. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety typically maintains a strict adherence to the three-to-five-year retention policy, depending on the nature of the accident.
That said, drivers do have a few options to potentially reduce the impact of an accident on their insurance rates.
- Safe Driving Courses: Some insurance companies may offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course. This will not remove the accident from your record but may help counterbalance the rate increase.
- Maintaining a Clean Record: If you maintain a spotless driving record following the accident, your insurance premiums may gradually decrease over time.
These options can help you minimize the negative effects of having an accident on your record, but they will not remove it entirely before the mandated period.
Contacting a Mississippi Accident Lawyer to Assist You After an Accident
Accidents can have long-term effects that go beyond vehicle damage or injuries – affecting your driving record and insurance premiums for years. Understanding how an accident affects your driving history and what legal options you have is crucial to minimizing the impact. If you find yourself overwhelmed with insurance claims or facing an unfair adjustment of your driving record, it is always a good idea to seek professional help.
A Mississippi accident lawyer can provide guidance on how to handle the aftermath of an accident, including managing insurance claims, understanding your rights, and possibly contesting the severity of the accident’s impact on your record. Injury and accident lawyers in Mississippi have the experience needed to assist you through these often complicated processes, offering tailored advice for your unique situation.
The Morgan Law Group can help assess the damage an accident has done to your driving record and provide guidance on how best to move forward, especially when dealing with insurance companies that may use the accident against you. Our injury and accident lawyers in Mississippi can help protect your rights and make the post-accident process smoother, ultimately giving you the support you need.
Call us today at (228) 641-9552 or complete our online form and have your free consultation.
