Protecting Your Rights After a Crash That Happens on the Job in Mississippi

Getting injured in a car accident is difficult enough. When it happens while you’re working, the situation becomes even more complicated. You may qualify for workers’ compensation, a third-party personal injury claim, or possibly both—but each type of claim follows different rules, deadlines, and processes. Without legal guidance, you risk making a mistake that could limit your recovery or delay much-needed benefits.

In Mississippi, work-related auto accident claims are often more complex than standard injury cases, and they frequently involve multiple insurance companies, conflicting laws, and coordination between workers’ comp and personal injury systems. That’s why having an experienced attorney on your side is so important.

1. You May Be Entitled to More Than Just Workers’ Comp

If your car accident happened while you were on the clock, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, which can cover:

• Medical treatment

• Partial wage replacement

• Disability payments

• Vocational rehabilitation

However, workers’ comp does not pay for pain and suffering, full lost wages, or emotional distress. If someone outside your company—like another driver or a trucking company—was responsible for the crash, you can often file a third-party personal injury claim as well. This allows you to seek additional compensation that workers’ comp does not provide.

Many injured workers don’t realize they have the right to file both claims, and insurance companies won’t go out of their way to tell them. An attorney can identify all sources of compensation to ensure nothing is left on the table.

2. Coordinating Multiple Claims Requires Legal Precision

If you pursue both a workers’ comp claim and a third-party lawsuit, the two claims will affect each other. For example:

• Your workers’ comp insurer may place a lien on your personal injury settlement

• You’ll need to ensure that medical bills aren’t paid twice by different insurers

• Incorrect filings or overlapping claims can lead to delays or reduced compensation

An attorney understands how to coordinate both claims and maximize your total recovery. They can also negotiate with the workers’ comp insurer to reduce any reimbursement demand so you keep more of your settlement.

3. Insurance Companies Have Their Own Legal Teams—You Should Too

Both the workers’ compensation insurer and the third-party liability insurer have adjusters and attorneys whose job is to limit payouts. They may:

• Dispute whether your injury happened while working

• Argue that your injuries aren’t serious

• Offer lowball settlements

• Try to rush you into signing away your rights

An attorney acts as your advocate, pushing back against these tactics and ensuring your rights are protected. They handle the communication, paperwork, and negotiation so that you don’t have to deal with confusing insurance demands during your recovery.

4. Strict Deadlines and Legal Requirements Apply

Work-related accident claims have strict time limits under Mississippi law:

• Workers’ comp injuries must be reported to your employer within 30 days

• Workers’ comp claims must be filed with the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission within 2 years

• Personal injury lawsuits must be filed within 3 years of the accident

Missing these deadlines could permanently bar your claim. A lawyer will keep track of all timelines and ensure that your case moves forward correctly and on time.

5. Your Future Health and Income May Depend on the Outcome

If your injuries are serious, your recovery could take months or even years. You may not be able to return to the same job—or to work at all. You may need future surgeries, physical therapy, or ongoing pain management.

Legal guidance is crucial to:

• Estimate future medical costs and lost earning capacity

• Account for all long-term effects of your injuries

• Prevent early settlements that don’t cover your full needs

• Fight for compensation that protects your future—not just your current expenses

Call Attorney BIll Kellum Today

If you were hurt in a car accident while working in Mississippi, don’t try to handle it alone. You could be eligible for both workers’ compensation and personal injury damages, but securing them requires experienced legal guidance. The attorneys at Kellum Law Firm, P.C. know how to manage the complexity of work-related accident claims and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call our Jackson office at (601) 969-2709 or our Port Gibson office at (601) 590-9000 to schedule your consultation today.