What to Do After a Car Accident in Missouri
A car accident can happen in an instant, but the decisions you make in the minutes, hours, and days that follow can affect your legal rights for years. Whether it was a minor fender-bender or a serious collision, here is a step-by-step guide to protecting yourself.
At the Scene
• Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Your safety and the safety of others is the first priority.
• Move to safety if possible. If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to do so, move them out of the flow of traffic.
• Call the police. In Missouri, you are required to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500. A police report creates an official record of the accident.
• Exchange information with the other driver(s): name, phone number, insurance company and policy number, driver’s license number, and license plate number.
• Take photos of the damage to all vehicles, the accident scene, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and any visible injuries.
• Get witness information. If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and phone number.
In the Hours and Days After
• Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. Some injuries (whiplash, concussions, internal injuries) do not present symptoms immediately. A medical record connecting your injuries to the accident is critical for your claim.
• Report the accident to your insurance company promptly, but stick to the facts. Do not speculate about fault or the extent of your injuries.
• Do NOT give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without consulting an attorney first. Their goal is to minimize what they pay you.
• Keep records of all medical treatment, bills, prescriptions, missed work, and any other expenses or impacts related to the accident.
Missouri’s Comparative Fault Rule
Missouri follows a “pure comparative fault” rule. This means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages — but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you would recover $80,000. This makes it especially important to document everything and avoid admitting fault at the scene.
When to Call a Lawyer
You should consult an attorney if anyone was injured, if the other driver’s insurance company is pressuring you to settle quickly, if fault is disputed, if the other driver was uninsured, or if you are being offered less than your medical bills. Personal injury attorneys typically work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you.
Injured in a car accident? Call Lee Law Firm at (314) 708-1720 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.