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It depends on who caused the crash and who was hurt. Bills may be paid through auto insurance, workers’ compensation, or a claim against the state, which has strict notice rules and a one-year deadline. A Leake County car accident lawyer can sort out which rules apply. An SUV struck a Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) tractor on Highway 35 in Leake County on October 27, 2026.
If you or a loved one was hurt, call Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis, P.A. at 601-948-8005 for a free consultation; early help protects evidence.
What Happened in the Highway 35 MDOT Tractor Crash?
Kicks96 News reported that an SUV crashed into an MDOT tractor working along Highway 35 near Singleton on Tuesday, October 27. Leake County deputies, firefighters, EMS crews, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol went to the scene.
An ambulance took one person to the hospital. The report did not say whether that person was in the SUV or on the tractor. The extent of the injuries is not known.
Officials have not released a cause. They have not said what the tractor was doing at the time or whether warning lights or signs were in place. No fault finding has been announced.
Why Are Crashes With Highway Maintenance Equipment So Serious?
MDOT crews use tractors to mow shoulders, clear brush, and keep ditches open. That work often happens at very low speed, sometimes right beside the travel lane. On a rural highway like Highway 35, a driver at highway speed can close the gap in a few seconds.
Tractors and mowers are heavy, and many have booms or decks that reach out past the tires. An operator sits high and largely unprotected. A collision can seriously hurt the worker, the people in the passenger vehicle, or both.
Each side owes a duty of care. Drivers must watch the road, slow down, and pass only when it is safe. Crews and their employers must use proper warning lights, signs, and safe work practices. Nothing in the public report assigns fault to anyone in this crash.
What Does Mississippi’s Move-Over Law Require?
Mississippi’s move-over law, Miss. Code § 63-3-809, covers highway maintenance vehicles owned or operated by MDOT. When drivers approach a stationary maintenance vehicle showing flashing lights, they must change lanes away from it on a four-lane road if it is safe. Otherwise, they must slow down and be ready to stop.
The same law says maintenance vehicle drivers must still drive with due regard for everyone’s safety. Investigators have not said whether the tractor was stopped or moving, or whether its lights were on. Those details may shape how the law applies here.
Who Pays When a State Highway Vehicle Is Involved?
Each possible claim turns on the facts. If the SUV driver caused the crash, an injured tractor operator may have a claim against that driver’s auto insurance. If the tractor or the work setup caused it, people in the SUV may have a claim involving the state.
Claims against a state agency like MDOT generally fall under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act, which begins at Miss. Code § 11-46-1. Under Miss. Code § 11-46-11, a person must file a written notice of claim at least 90 days before filing suit. Suit generally must start within one year of the crash, and exceptions may apply. The act also has its own immunities and damage limits, so early review matters.
Mississippi follows pure comparative fault under Miss. Code § 11-7-15. An injured person can still recover even if partly at fault, though the award drops by that share. Our Mississippi car accident lawyer page explains how fault and insurance claims usually work.
What If an MDOT Worker Was Hurt?
Workers’ compensation generally covers a state employee hurt on the job. It can pay medical bills and part of lost wages. Under Miss. Code § 71-3-71, taking those benefits does not bar a claim against another party who caused the injury. A negligent driver can be one example. Our Mississippi workers compensation lawyer page covers those benefits. Our post on filing an injury claim and a workers compensation claim shows how the two fit together.
Why Call a Leake County Car Accident Lawyer Early?
Evidence from a roadside work crash can fade quickly. Crews return to work, damaged vehicles get repaired, and skid marks wear away. Records about the work zone, such as signs, cones, and lighting, may not be kept long.
A Leake County car accident attorney can send preservation letters to the drivers, insurers, and the agency. Useful records may include vehicle crash data, photos, MDOT work orders, and dispatch logs. Short deadlines under the Tort Claims Act make that early work even more important. Our guide to evidence that can strengthen an injury claim lists what to save.
What Should You Do If This Happened to Your Family?
Follow every medical instruction and keep all treatment records. Ask the Mississippi Highway Patrol for the crash report number. Save photos of the vehicles, the road, and any work zone signs. Write down witness names while memories are fresh. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer or agency before getting legal advice.
We hope the person hurt in this Highway 35 crash makes a full recovery.
How Chhabra, Gibbs & Gustavis Can Help
CGG Law helps injured people across central Mississippi, including Leake County. We investigate what happened, preserve evidence, and deal with insurance companies and government claim rules. We also identify everyone who may be responsible and pursue compensation when the facts support it. Protecting Victims. Pursuing Justice.
Talk With a Leake County Car Accident Lawyer
Call CGG Law at 601-948-8005 for a free consultation, or reach us through our contact page. The sooner we start, the more evidence we can protect.
This post is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney advertising.
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