A car accident can happen in seconds, but the consequences may affect your health, work, finances, and family for months or even years.
When another driver caused the crash, you may expect that driver’s insurance company to pay your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repair costs. Unfortunately, insurance claims are not always straightforward.
The insurance company may question who caused the collision, whether your injuries are related to the accident, and how much compensation you should receive.
Taking the following steps can help protect your health and your potential car accident claim.
1. Check for Injuries and Move to Safety
Your first priority should be protecting yourself and others from additional harm.
Call 911 when someone is injured or when the vehicles are creating a dangerous situation. When it is safe to do so, move away from traffic and turn on your hazard lights.
Do not attempt to move someone who appears seriously injured unless leaving that person in place creates an immediate danger.
2. Do Not Leave the Accident Scene
Missouri drivers involved in an accident causing injury, death, or property damage must stop and provide identifying and vehicle information to the other party or law enforcement. This includes the driver’s name, residence, vehicle registration or license number, and driver’s license number.
Leaving before exchanging the required information could create additional legal problems.
3. Contact Law Enforcement
Even when the other driver asks to handle the accident privately, contacting the police is usually the safer decision.
A responding officer may:
- Secure the accident scene
- Speak with the drivers
- Identify witnesses
- Document vehicle damage
- Record road and weather conditions
- Issue citations when appropriate
- Prepare an accident report
A police report does not automatically determine legal fault, but it may provide important information during the insurance investigation.
4. Exchange Information With the Other Driver
Collect the other driver’s:
- Full name
- Telephone number
- Address
- Driver’s license information
- License plate number
- Insurance company
- Policy number
- Vehicle make, model, and color
Avoid arguing about who caused the accident. Do not apologize, guess, or make statements that could be interpreted as accepting responsibility.
Simply exchange information and cooperate with law enforcement.
5. Photograph the Scene
Use your phone to take photographs and videos before the vehicles are moved or repaired, when it is safe to do so.
Document:
- Damage to every vehicle
- Vehicle positions
- Skid marks
- Broken glass and debris
- Traffic lights and signs
- Road conditions
- Weather conditions
- Visible injuries
- The surrounding area
- The other vehicle’s license plate
Take wide photographs of the entire scene and close-up photographs of specific damage.
6. Collect Witness Information
Independent witnesses can be especially valuable when the drivers disagree about what happened.
Ask witnesses for their:
- Name
- Telephone number
- Email address
A witness may have seen the other driver run a red light, change lanes without looking, follow too closely, or use a phone while driving.
Do not assume that the police officer will obtain information from everyone who saw the crash.
7. Seek Medical Attention
Some injuries are immediately obvious. Others may not cause symptoms until several hours or days later.
Adrenaline can temporarily mask symptoms involving the head, neck, back, shoulders, and soft tissue. A medical evaluation can identify injuries and provide instructions about symptoms to monitor.
Seeking prompt medical care also creates documentation connecting your symptoms to the collision.
Tell the medical provider:
- When the accident happened
- Where you feel pain
- Whether your symptoms are changing
- Whether you struck your head
- Whether you lost consciousness
- Whether you have numbness, dizziness, or confusion
Follow the provider’s treatment recommendations and attend follow-up appointments.
8. Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurance company promptly, even when another driver caused it.
Provide accurate facts, but avoid guessing about speed, distance, fault, or the extent of your injuries.
Missouri also requires a written report to the Department of Revenue in certain accidents involving an uninsured motorist or an uninsured owner or operator, when the accident causes injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage. The report is generally due within 30 days.
9. Be Careful When Speaking With the Other Driver’s Insurer
The other insurance company may contact you shortly after the collision. The adjuster may sound helpful, but the insurer’s job is to investigate the claim and control how much it pays.
Before providing a recorded statement or signing a document:
- Make sure you understand what is being requested.
- Do not guess when you do not know an answer.
- Do not minimize your symptoms.
- Do not sign a broad medical authorization without reviewing it.
- Do not accept a settlement before understanding your medical condition.
Once you sign a final settlement release, you generally cannot return later and request additional money if your condition becomes worse.
10. Save Your Records and Expenses
Keep copies of all accident-related documents, including:
- Medical records and bills
- Prescription receipts
- Repair estimates
- Towing bills
- Rental vehicle expenses
- Wage-loss documentation
- Police reports
- Insurance letters and emails
- Photographs and videos
You may also want to keep notes about your pain, physical limitations, missed activities, and how the injuries affect your daily life.
11. Avoid Discussing the Accident Online
Insurance companies may review publicly available social media posts.
A photograph, location check-in, or casual comment could be taken out of context and used to argue that you are not seriously injured.
Avoid posting information about:
- The collision
- Your injuries
- Medical treatment
- Settlement discussions
- Your daily physical activities
12. Speak With a Missouri Car Accident Attorney
Missouri generally allows five years for many personal injury lawsuits, but waiting can still weaken the evidence needed to prove your case.
A car accident attorney can help by:
- Investigating the crash
- Obtaining available evidence
- Communicating with insurance companies
- Reviewing medical records
- Calculating financial losses
- Evaluating settlement offers
- Filing a lawsuit when necessary
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I see a doctor if I feel fine?
Yes. Some accident-related injuries do not create immediate symptoms. A prompt medical evaluation can protect your health and document your condition.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
Your own uninsured motorist coverage may provide compensation. Review your policy and speak with an attorney about the coverage available.
Should I accept the first settlement offer?
An early offer may arrive before you understand the full cost of your treatment or the long-term effect of your injuries. Review the offer carefully before signing anything.
Do I need a police report?
A police report is not always required to pursue a claim, but it can provide valuable information about the accident, drivers, witnesses, and surrounding conditions.
Get Clear Guidance After a Missouri Car Accident
You should not have to manage medical treatment, vehicle repairs, missed work, and an insurance dispute without guidance.
Gartner Law Firm helps Missouri accident victims understand their rights, evaluate their options, and move forward with confidence.
Book an appointment with Gartner Law Firm or call (636) 397-2111 to discuss your accident.
