Confirm with your state
- When
- Mississippi law makes failing to report a crash involving injury, death, or property damage a misdemeanor.
Official source: Mississippi DPS — Crash Reports
We could not confirm the current dollar threshold or any driver form from an official source. Call police at the scene; Mississippi Highway Patrol reports can be bought in person or online.
What to do after a car accident in Mississippi
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police if the crash meets Mississippi's rule above — as soon as you can.
- Exchange names, contact, license, plate and insurance details with every driver involved. Use our accident information worksheet.
- Photograph every vehicle, the plates, the damage and the scene, and get witnesses' names and numbers.
- Keep the police report number — your insurer will ask for it.
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Mississippi compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | Confirm with your state | — |
| Alabama | Only if a driver was uninsured | — |
| Arkansas | You must file your own report | Within 30 days |
| Louisiana | Call police — no driver form | Immediately |
| Tennessee | You must file your own report | Within 20 days |
If your car was totaled or damaged
Reporting the crash is only the first step. If your insurer says the car is a total loss, check Mississippi's total-loss threshold and run the offer through the Total-Loss Offer Audit. If it was repaired, you may have a diminished-value claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a car accident in Mississippi?
Check with the state. Mississippi law makes failing to report a crash involving injury, death, or property damage a misdemeanor.
Does reporting the crash to the state start my insurance claim?
No. A police or state crash report and an insurance claim are separate. Notify your own insurer promptly as your policy requires, and file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurer if someone else caused the crash.