As of July 1, 2024, Mississippi's minimum liability limits went up to $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 - but for a hit-and-run in Olive Branch, the smarter move is usually to open a claim on your own UM coverage now, not wait.

A driver who disappears is usually treated like an uninsured motorist in Mississippi. If your policy has UM (uninsured motorist) coverage, that is often the money source for your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage when nobody can identify the other driver.

Do not sit on it hoping police find the car first. Mississippi gives you 3 years to sue for most crash injuries, but your insurance policy can require notice promptly or as soon as practicable. Waiting too long gives your insurer an argument that you hurt their investigation.

Report it right away to Olive Branch Police Department if it happened in town. If it was out on a rural stretch near I-269, Highway 78, or county roads, Mississippi Highway Patrol may be involved, and trooper coverage can be thin, so get the report started fast.

A few things matter a lot:

• Ask for a copy or report number of the crash report.
• Tell your insurer it was a hit-and-run UM claim.
• Save photos, dashcam video, and names of any witnesses.
• Get checked out the same day if you are hurt, especially if missing a shift would wreck your budget.

One big catch: in Mississippi, physical contact with the fleeing vehicle usually matters for a hit-and-run UM claim. If a driver forced you off the road but never touched your car, the claim can get harder.

So if there is no plate number, don't wait for a miracle. Use your own UM coverage now, then let the investigation keep going in the background.