In Mississippi, a car accident generally stays on your driving record for a period of three years.
Understanding Your Driving Record in Mississippi
Your driving record, maintained by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MS DPS), is a crucial document that chronicles your history as a driver. It includes details of traffic violations, convictions, and, significantly, accidents in which you were involved. This record is often accessed by insurance companies to assess risk, which in turn influences your insurance premiums.
The Standard Duration: Three Years
For most car accidents in Mississippi, the incident will appear on your official driving record for a duration of three years from the date of the accident. During this period, the accident can potentially impact various aspects of your driving life, primarily your auto insurance rates.
Managing Your Record and Mitigating Impact
While the three-year period is standard, there are proactive steps you can take to ensure the accuracy of your record and potentially mitigate any negative impact stemming from an accident. It's essential to verify that the information on your record is correct, as errors can lead to unwarranted consequences.
Steps to Review and Correct Your Record
Ensuring the accuracy of your driving record is a vital step. If there are inaccuracies, addressing them promptly can prevent prolonged or incorrect impacts.
- Request Your Driving Record: Obtain an official copy of your driving record directly from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MS DPS). This provides a complete overview of what is currently on file. You can typically find information on how to request your record on the MS DPS website.
- Review for Accuracy: Carefully examine every entry on your record, especially details related to the accident. Check for incorrect dates, inaccurate accident descriptions, or any accidents listed that you were not involved in.
- Contest Inaccuracies: If you discover any errors or discrepancies, follow the official procedures provided by the MS DPS to contest and correct them. This usually involves submitting a formal request with supporting documentation to prove the error. Correcting inaccuracies ensures that only legitimate incidents are reflected, which can prevent undue negative effects on your insurance or driving privileges.
Impact on Insurance Premiums
The presence of an accident on your driving record is a significant factor for insurance providers. Insurers often view drivers with recent accidents as a higher risk, which can lead to increased insurance premiums. The severity of the accident, whether you were at fault, and the extent of damages can all influence the degree of the premium increase. While the accident remains on your record, you might see higher rates. Once it drops off after three years, your rates may decrease, provided you maintain a clean driving history otherwise.
