Step 1: Check for Injuries and Call 911
Your health comes first. Check yourself and others for injuries and call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt. In Missouri, you are legally required to report any crash involving injury, death, or significant property damage. A police report creates an official record that becomes valuable evidence later.
Step 2: Move to Safety and Document the Scene
If the vehicles are drivable and it's safe, move them out of traffic — Missouri's busy corridors like I-70 and I-44 see secondary crashes when cars block lanes. Photograph vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and your injuries. Collect names and contact details from any witnesses.
Step 3: Exchange Information — but Don't Admit Fault
Exchange names, insurance, and license details with the other driver. Stay polite, but avoid apologizing or speculating about what happened. Under Missouri's pure comparative fault rule, even a casual 'I'm sorry' can be twisted into an admission that reduces your recovery.
Step 4: Seek Medical Care Promptly
See a doctor even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks injuries, and conditions like whiplash or concussions often surface days later. Prompt treatment protects your health and ties your injuries to the crash — a gap in care is the first thing insurers use to dispute a claim.
Step 5: Notify Your Insurer and Contact a Lawyer
Report the crash to your insurance company, but stick to the facts and avoid recorded statements until you've spoken with an attorney. A Missouri injury lawyer can handle communications, preserve evidence, and pursue the full value of your claim while you focus on recovery.
Injured in Missouri? Get Your Free Case Review Today
If you or a loved one was hurt because of someone else's negligence anywhere in Missouri, Injury Claim Team can connect you with an experienced personal injury attorney at no cost. Our network lawyers work on contingency — you pay nothing unless they win. Call 973-566-5599 or request your free, confidential review and a specialist will reach out within the hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Missouri personal injury claims must be filed within five years of the injury, but wrongful death (three years) and medical malpractice (two years) have shorter deadlines, and government claims require early notice. Don't wait to seek advice.
While not legally required, an experienced attorney typically recovers significantly more than unrepresented claimants — and our network lawyers charge no fee unless they win, so there's no upfront risk.
Nothing. Injury Claim Team offers free, confidential case reviews, and network attorneys work on contingency. You pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you.