There are several types of car accidents in Mississippi that you could experience. For example, rear-end collisions occur often, but they also tend to be the least severe. In Mississippi, any accident can be dangerous.
Among motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2022, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported that Mississippi had the highest motor vehicle crash fatality rate of any state.
For every 100,000 people in Mississippi, 23.9 died as a result of car accidents. In contrast, car accidents in Rhode Island and the District of Columbia accounted for 4.8 deaths per 100,000 individuals.
No matter what kind of accident you were in, you could be eligible for compensation if you were injured because of another person’s negligence. A Mississippi car accident attorney can investigate your accident to determine who was at fault and assist you in getting compensation for your damages.
Key Takeaways
Types of Car Accidents in Mississippi
The type of crash you were in affects everything from your injuries to your claim. Here’s what to keep in mind.
- Rear-End Crashes Are the Most Common:
They account for roughly 40.8% of vehicle-to-vehicle collisions nationally. - Some Crash Types Are Especially Dangerous:
T-bone and head-on collisions together accounted for thousands of deaths nationally in 2022, and rollovers carry an outsized share of fatal outcomes. - Mississippi Has One of the Nation’s Highest Fatality Rates:
At 23.9 deaths per 100,000 people, Mississippi ranked highest in the country per 2022 IIHS data. - Uninsured Drivers Are a Real Risk:
About 22.2% of Mississippi drivers are uninsured, the third-highest rate in the US, which is why uninsured motorist coverage matters.
What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Mississippi?
The National Safety Council (NSC) publishes data on the most common types of car accidents in the United States.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident. The NSC reports that 40.8% of collisions with other vehicles are rear-end collisions, and it is estimated that 29% of all accidents are rear-end collisions, including about 8% of fatal crashes. Most of these accidents occur when drivers become distracted or get too close.
Sideswipe Collisions
Sideswipe accidents occur when one car brushes against another. Sideswipe accidents usually happen when a driver drifts into another lane or fails to check blind spots.
Sideswipes are often minor but can cause serious injuries, especially to motorcyclists. In 2022, 1,600 individuals nationwide died from this type of car accident.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions often happen when a driver goes the wrong way on a one-way street or highway exit ramp. They can also occur when a driver crosses another lane or a median.
In 2022, head-on collisions caused 5,800 deaths, making up 29.6% of fatal collisions with other vehicles. Typically, the driver who went the wrong way or crossed a median is at fault.
Angle Collisions (T-Bone Accidents)
Angle collisions, or T-bone accidents, are among the deadliest types of crashes. Angle collisions occur when one vehicle hits the side of another.
In 2022, these accidents caused around 8,800 deaths, 44.9% of all fatal vehicle collisions that year. Most of these accidents happen at intersections due to miscommunication or dangerous driving.
Rollover Accidents
Any vehicle can roll over, but SUVs, trucks, and vans are more likely to do so. Rollover risks increase in severe weather, and rollovers often occur when a driver turns too fast. Rollovers can also happen after a side-impact collision or when a vehicle leaves the road.
The IIHS found that 77% of rollovers came from a pre-rollover impact. However, 23% rolled over without hitting anything first. The IIHS also found that rollovers caused 29% of passenger vehicle deaths in 2022.
Regardless of the type of accident, it’s essential that you speak to law enforcement and file a report. Mississippi law requires you to report any accident where damages exceed $500, and some cities have additional reporting requirements.
We’re Here to Help
No Matter How the Crash Happened, You Deserve Answers
Whether you were rear-ended, T-boned, or hit head-on, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Our team at Harris Law Firm will help you understand what caused your accident and pursue the compensation you’re owed.
What Causes Car Accidents in Mississippi?
The Mississippi Strategic Highway Safety Plan published a report identifying the causes of collisions that resulted in “KA injuries”—injuries that were life-threatening or led to death. They include:
- Distracted driving. In recent years, cell phone use has been one of the most common distractions directly linked to accidents. In 2022, the NHTSA reported 3,308 deaths from distracted driving, and in Mississippi, inattentive, distracted, or sleeping drivers accounted for 760 KA injuries from 2020 to 2022.
- Impaired driving. From 2020 to 2022, impaired driving caused 2,463 crash-related KA injuries (19%) in Mississippi. The IIHS also estimates that in 2022, 77 out of the 402 Mississippi drivers (19%) killed in passenger vehicle accidents had a BAC of over 0.08%
- Dangerous driving. The State of Mississippi found that speeding and aggressive behavior accounted for 1,993 crash-related KA injuries (16%) in the state.
- Ignoring traffic signals. Running red lights results in hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries each year. The IIHS reported over 107,000 injuries from red light violations in 2022.
- Lack of experience. Teen drivers are more prone to accidents. Between 2020 and 2022, accidents with teen drivers caused 2,441 deaths or serious injuries, accounting for 19% of the total.
- Poor road conditions. Poor road conditions, such as potholes, broken roads, and lack of signage, can increase the risk of accidents. In Mississippi, the risk of injury is higher due to damaged roads and infrastructure.
- Vehicle malfunction. Sometimes, accidents happen due to vehicle defects. These often affect the steering, tires, or brakes. Such defects most often cause rear-end collisions.
The NHSTA groups driver-related reasons for crashes into four main categories. Recognition errors like driver inattention and distractions caused about 41% of crashes.
Decision errors like driving too fast or misjudging others caused about 33% of crashes. Performance errors, like poor vehicle control, caused about 11% of crashes. Non-performance errors, like falling asleep, made up roughly 7%. Other driver errors accounted for about 8% of crashes.
Every Accident Is Different
The Type of Crash You Were In Shapes What Comes Next
Rear-end, T-bone, head-on, sideswipe, or rollover: each type of collision leaves behind its own pattern of injuries and evidence. Harris Law Firm knows how to build a claim around the specific way your accident happened.
What Should I Do If the Other Driver Is Uninsured?
Many accidents involve uninsured drivers. In 2022, Mississippi drivers had an uninsured rate of 22.2%, the third highest in the country.
Drivers are still liable for their actions even if they do not have insurance. However, it may be difficult to collect from an uninsured driver. Luckily, you may be able to pursue an uninsured motorist claim.
Mississippi law requires insurers to include uninsured motorist coverage in car insurance policies unless the driver specifically rejects the coverage in writing. An attorney can help you assess your options and help you understand what your insurance policy covers.
Need Help After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver?
Don’t let a lack of insurance prevent you from seeking compensation. Contact our experienced car accident attorneys today for a free case review.:
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today
Since 1981, Harris Law Firm, PLLC has provided sophisticated legal expertise throughout Mississippi and Arkansas. If you need help after a crash, we are here for you.
To learn more about how we can assist you, schedule a free consultation with our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyer. Harris Law is always motivated to get you the compensation you deserve.
Common Questions
Types of Car Accidents in Mississippi: FAQs
If you’re trying to understand how your crash fits into the bigger picture, these are the questions we hear most often.
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of vehicle-to-vehicle crash nationally, accounting for roughly 40.8% of these accidents. Sideswipe, angle (T-bone), head-on, and rollover crashes make up the rest, each with its own typical causes and injury patterns.
Nationally, angle (T-bone) crashes accounted for an estimated 8,800 deaths in 2022, and head-on collisions accounted for about 5,800, together making up a large share of all fatal crashes. Rollovers are less common but disproportionately severe, involved in around 29% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths that year.
Yes. Mississippi law requires drivers to report any accident that causes more than $500 in property damage, an injury, or a death to law enforcement. Even minor-looking crashes can cross that threshold once vehicle damage is factored in.
It happens more often than you’d expect. Mississippi’s uninsured-driver rate is around 22.2%, the third-highest in the country, which is why the state requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage unless a driver rejects it in writing. An attorney can help you determine what coverage applies to your crash.
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