Personal Injury Law in Mississippi

Serious Representation for Serious Injuries

When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the consequences can be life-changing. Medical bills, lost wages, and long-term recovery shouldn’t fall solely on your shoulders. At D. Kirk Tharp, Attorney at Law, we represent individuals and families across Mississippi in personal injury claims involving auto accidents, serious injuries, insurance disputes, and more. With over 25 years of experience, we take a focused, results-driven approach to every case—so you can focus on healing while we handle the rest.

  • A dark blue background with a few white lines on it

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

Personal Injury Law in Mississippi

Serious Representation for Serious Injuries

When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the consequences can be life-changing. Medical bills, lost wages, and long-term recovery shouldn’t fall solely on your shoulders. At D. Kirk Tharp, Attorney at Law, we represent individuals and families across Mississippi in personal injury claims involving auto accidents, serious injuries, insurance disputes, and more. With over 25 years of experience, we take a focused, results-driven approach to every case—so you can focus on healing while we handle the rest.

  • A dark blue background with a few white lines on it

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
A judge 's gavel is sitting next to a stack of papers.

From municipal courts to federal benches, we have the credentials—and the courtroom firepower—to represent you at every level, in any jurisdiction, across the state.

A black and white icon of a scale of justice and a briefcase.

We’ve fought—and won—for thousands of clients across Mississippi, using aggressive, battle-tested legal strategies that get it right when it matters most.

A black and white drawing of two hands shaking each other.

We listen with intention, build a custom plan around your goals, and push your case forward with precision and force. Every move is calculated. Every step is aggressive.

Auto Accidents

Strategic, Results-Focused Representation After an Accident or Injury

Auto accidents are among the most common causes of personal injury claims—and they often come with complex insurance issues, disputed liability, and long-term physical consequences. Whether you’ve been involved in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, we act quickly to preserve evidence, handle communication with insurance companies, and build a strong case on your behalf.


Our goal is to recover full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, pain and suffering, and any long-term impact the accident has had on your life. You worry about getting well—we’ll take care of the rest.

  • Do I need an attorney after a car accident?

    Yes. Especially if you're injured, an attorney can protect your rights, ensure proper documentation, and maximize your recovery—often far beyond what insurance companies initially offer.

  • What should I do at the scene of the accident?

    Call 911, seek medical help, take photos of the scene and your injuries, exchange information, and avoid making statements to the other driver’s insurer until you speak with a lawyer.

  • Who pays my medical bills after an accident?

    Ultimately, the at-fault driver (through their insurance) is responsible. However, in the short term, you may rely on your own health or auto insurance until a settlement or judgment is reached.

  • Do I need an attorney after a car accident?

    Yes. Especially if you're injured, an attorney can protect your rights, ensure proper documentation, and maximize your recovery—often far beyond what insurance companies initially offer.

  • What should I do at the scene of the accident?

    Call 911, seek medical help, take photos of the scene and your injuries, exchange information, and avoid making statements to the other driver’s insurer until you speak with a lawyer.

  • Who pays my medical bills after an accident?

    Ultimately, the at-fault driver (through their insurance) is responsible. However, in the short term, you may rely on your own health or auto insurance until a settlement or judgment is reached.

Serious Injuries

When the injury is life-altering, the legal strategy must be too.

Some injuries don’t just hurt—they change everything. If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury such as a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, paralysis, or amputation, your case needs immediate and experienced legal attention.


We build these cases with long-term planning in mind, working with medical experts, life care planners, and economists to estimate future needs and pursue the compensation you’ll need to cover treatment, home modifications, lost income, and more. We take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing and adjusting to a new reality.

  • What’s the difference between legal and physical custody?

    Legal custody refers to the right to make major decisions about the child’s upbringing (education, healthcare, religion), while physical custody refers to where the child lives on a daily basis. Parents can share one or both types of custody, depending on the arrangement.

  • Can custody orders be changed later?

    Yes. If there is a substantial change in circumstances—such as relocation, changes in the child’s needs, or one parent’s ability to care for the child—you can petition the court to modify the custody order. We can help you assess and file for modifications when necessary.

  • Can a child choose which parent to live with?

    Mississippi law allows the court to consider the child’s preference once the child is 12 years or older, but it’s not the deciding factor. The judge will still evaluate all circumstances and weigh the child’s preference as one of many factors in determining what’s in their best interest.

  • Is joint custody common in Mississippi?

    Yes. Courts often encourage joint custody when both parents are fit and involved in the child’s life. However, joint custody doesn’t always mean equal time. The court may assign joint legal custody while awarding one parent primary physical custody based on stability, schooling, or other needs. However, it is important to note, every situation is different.

  • What if one parent violates the custody order?

    Violating a court-ordered custody agreement is a serious matter. The other parent may file a motion for contempt, which could result in penalties, changes to custody, or even jail time for repeated or severe violations. We can help you enforce the terms of your existing order.

  • What qualifies as a serious or catastrophic injury?

    Generally, these are injuries that result in long-term or permanent disability, require ongoing care, or prevent you from returning to work or your normal life.

  • Will I need expert testimony in a serious injury case?

    Yes. Medical professionals, financial experts, and vocational specialists often play a vital role in proving the scope of your injury and its long-term effects.

  • Can my family receive compensation for how this affects them?

    Yes. In some cases, spouses and close family members may be entitled to damages for loss of companionship, emotional suffering, or caregiving burdens.

Workplace Injuries & Wrongful Death

When tragedy strikes, we pursue justice with urgency and compassion.

If you’ve been seriously injured at work or lost a loved one due to negligence, your life can change in an instant. We represent workers injured on the job, as well as families pursuing wrongful death claims against individuals, companies, or negligent third parties.


These cases are complex—and often emotional. We bring calm, experience, and a results-oriented approach to the table, helping you secure the compensation you need to begin rebuilding your life.

  • Can I file a personal injury claim if I’m receiving workers’ comp?

    Yes—if a third party (such as a contractor, manufacturer, or negligent driver) contributed to your injury, you may be able to pursue an additional claim for damages.

  • What damages can I seek in a wrongful death lawsuit?

    Surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, emotional distress, and loss of companionship.

  • Is there a deadline for filing a wrongful death case?

    Yes. In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for wrongful death is typically three years from the date of death—but the sooner we start, the better we can build your case.

  • Can I file a personal injury claim if I’m receiving workers’ comp?

    Yes—if a third party (such as a contractor, manufacturer, or negligent driver) contributed to your injury, you may be able to pursue an additional claim for damages.

  • What damages can I seek in a wrongful death lawsuit?

    Surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, emotional distress, and loss of companionship.

  • Is there a deadline for filing a wrongful death case?

    Yes. In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for wrongful death is typically three years from the date of death—but the sooner we start, the better we can build your case.

Insurance Disputes & Fire Loss

When Insurance Doesn’t Do What It Promised

You pay for insurance expecting protection—but when a valid claim is denied or underpaid, it adds insult to injury. Whether you're facing issues with a homeowner’s policy, auto coverage, or fire loss claim, we hold insurance companies accountable when they don’t act in good faith.


Our firm has years of experience dealing with insurance disputes. We thoroughly review policy terms, evaluate the scope of your loss, and take legal action when insurers act unfairly. We know how insurance companies operate—and we know how to push back.

  • What is insurance bad faith?

    It refers to dishonest or unreasonable conduct by an insurer, such as denying a valid claim, delaying payment, or failing to investigate properly.

  • Can I sue my insurance company for denying my claim?

    Yes. If we determine the denial was unjustified under the terms of your policy, we can file a lawsuit seeking full payment—and potentially additional damages.

  • How do I know if my claim was underpaid?

    We’ll compare your actual losses with your policy coverage and the insurance company’s offer. If there’s a gap, we’ll fight to close it.

  • What is insurance bad faith?

    It refers to dishonest or unreasonable conduct by an insurer, such as denying a valid claim, delaying payment, or failing to investigate properly.

  • Can I sue my insurance company for denying my claim?

    Yes. If we determine the denial was unjustified under the terms of your policy, we can file a lawsuit seeking full payment—and potentially additional damages.

  • How do I know if my claim was underpaid?

    We’ll compare your actual losses with your policy coverage and the insurance company’s offer. If there’s a gap, we’ll fight to close it.

  • A dark blue background with a few white lines on it

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

The Experience You Need.

The Aggressive Representation You Deserve.

With over 25 years of courtroom experience and a reputation for aggressive, results-driven advocacy, D. Kirk Tharp is the attorney clients trust when there’s no room for error. Whether you’re going through a divorce, facing serious charges, or recovering from a life-changing injury, don’t settle for anything less than legal counsel who’s ready to go to battle for you.