Tupelo Hit and Run Motorcycle Accidents

Under Mississippi law, anyone involved in an auto accident involving property damage, injuries, or death, must immediately stop at the scene or as close to it as possible without obstructing traffic. Failure to do so could result in up to 1 year in prison and a $5,000 fine if there is a minor injury, or up to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine if the accident resulted in death , mutilation, disfigurement, or permanent disability.

Unfortunately, even though there are laws in place to deter hit and run motorcycle accidents from occurring, they still happen. Whether you are on a motorcycle ride down Natchez Trace Parkway or driving past Elvis Presley’s birthplace at 306 Elvis Presley Drive, Tupelo, MS 38801, a hit and run accident can occur at anytime. After any motorcycle wreck, it is important to notify the authorities as soon as possible. The quicker the police arrive, the better chance they will have at tracking down the hit and run driver or at least the vehicle that person was driving. They will also be able to interview witnesses and take immediate photographs at the scene.

If the at-fault driver cannot be found, all hope is not lost when trying to recover for your injuries. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage under your auto policy, you could file a claim with your insurance company. In this type of claim, the insurance company can step into the shoes of the hit and run driver and work to minimize your claim or outright deny liability. It is important to note that in Mississippi, insurance policies may require actual physical contact to occur before coverage will be extended after a hit and run crash. For example, if a driver on Main Street runs you off the road but no contact is made, coverage could be denied. With the complexities that could arise out of a hit and run motorcycle accident, it is important to contact an experienced motorcycle crash attorney in Tupelo to sufficiently protect your legal rights.