What Should I Do After A Car Accident In Missouri?

Sansone & Lauber | | Car Accidents
What Should I Do After A Car Accident in Missouri

Every year in Missouri, thousands of people are injured in car crashes across highways like I-70, I-64, and I-55, as well as busy streets throughout St. Louis. One careless driver can change your life in seconds.

What you do immediately after a car accident will not only protect your health and safety, but it will also determine whether you get fair compensation—or walk away with nothing.

Insurance companies are trained to minimize your payout. If you make the wrong move, they’ll use it against you.

At Sansone & Lauber, we’ve helped injured victims in St. Louis and across Missouri for decades. We know the exact steps you need to take to protect yourself and maximize your case.

This guide explains everything you need to know after a Missouri car accident.

Step 1: Ensure Safety and Call 911

The first priority is always safety. If possible:

  • Move to a safe location away from traffic.

  • Call 911 immediately. Missouri law requires you to report accidents involving injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage.

  • Request medical assistance at the scene if anyone is hurt.

Why it matters: Emergency response reports provide crucial documentation that supports your personal injury claim. Insurance companies and courts rely heavily on these records.

Step 2: Exchange Information — But Don’t Admit Fault

Collect:

  • Driver’s name, address, phone number, and driver’s license info.

  • Insurance company name and policy number.

  • License plate and vehicle details.

Important: Never admit fault or say “I’m sorry.” Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system, meaning even a small admission could reduce your compensation.

Step 3: Gather Evidence at the Scene

The best car accident cases are built with strong evidence. Use your phone to:

  • Take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and road conditions.

  • Capture injuries and property damage.

  • Record witness names and contact info.

Pro tip: Missouri juries respond to clear visual evidence. At Sansone & Lauber, we’ve won big verdicts using accident scene photos to prove negligence.

Step 4: Seek Medical Care Immediately

Even if you “feel fine,” adrenaline can mask injuries. Whiplash, concussions, spinal injuries, and internal bleeding often appear hours or days later.

  • Visit the ER, urgent care, or your doctor the same day.

  • Follow all medical advice and keep records of bills and treatments.

Why it matters: Insurance companies will argue your injuries aren’t serious if you delay treatment. Immediate medical care creates a strong paper trail that connects your injuries directly to the crash.

Step 5: Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

Missouri requires drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of:

  • $25,000 for bodily injury per person

  • $50,000 per accident

  • $10,000 for property damage

Notify your insurer right away. But do not provide a recorded statement without first speaking to a lawyer. Insurance adjusters are trained to twist your words against you.

Step 6: Protect Yourself From Insurance Company Tactics

Insurance adjusters often:

  • Pressure you to settle fast for far less than your case is worth.

  • Ask trick questions designed to reduce liability.

  • Request blanket medical authorizations to dig into your private history.

The best move? Refer them directly to your injury attorney. At Sansone & Lauber, we handle all communications and negotiations so you’re never taken advantage of.

Step 7: Know Missouri’s Statute of Limitations

  • Personal injury claims: 5 years from the accident date.

  • Wrongful death claims: 3 years from the date of death.

Miss these deadlines and your case is gone forever. The sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your case will be.

Step 8: Understand Comparative Fault in Missouri

Missouri law allows you to recover damages even if you were partly at fault. Example:

  • Jury awards $100,000.

  • You’re found 20% at fault.

  • You still recover $80,000.

Insurance companies love to exaggerate your share of fault. We fight aggressively to minimize it.

Step 9: Document Everything

Keep a post-accident journal that includes:

  • Daily pain levels.

  • Missed work days and lost wages.

  • Medical appointments.

  • Emotional impacts like anxiety or sleep problems.

This strengthens claims for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.

Step 10: Call Sansone & Lauber Immediately

The most important step after a Missouri car accident? Call a proven St. Louis car accident lawyer. Here’s why:

  • We know Missouri law and local courts.

  • We’ve won multi-million-dollar verdicts for crash victims.

  • We take on insurance companies that try to bully accident victims into lowball settlements.

When you call us, you get trial lawyers—not settlement mills.

What Compensation Can I Recover in Missouri?

Victims of car accidents may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical expenses (past & future)

  • Lost wages & diminished earning potential

  • Pain & suffering

  • Permanent disability or disfigurement

  • Property damage

  • Wrongful death damages for surviving families

We fight to ensure you recover every dollar available under Missouri law.

Why Choose Sansone & Lauber in St. Louis?

  • Track Record: $14.2 million motorcycle accident verdict, $3.6 million pedestrian settlement, and countless six- and seven-figure results.

  • Trial Experience: Insurance companies know we are ready for court.

  • Client Dedication: Every case is personally handled by experienced attorneys.

  • Aggressive Representation: We don’t accept lowball offers—ever.

When it comes to your future, don’t settle for less.

FAQ: What St. Louis Accident Victims Ask Most

1. Do I need a lawyer if the accident wasn’t my fault?
Yes. Even when liability seems clear, insurance companies fight to pay as little as possible.

2. What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?
Missouri requires uninsured motorist coverage. We pursue your policy and any other available sources of recovery.

3. How long will my case take?
Simple cases may settle in months; complex cases with serious injuries can take years. The stronger your lawyer, the faster insurers pay fairly.

4. How much does it cost to hire Sansone & Lauber?
We work on a contingency fee—you pay nothing unless we win.

5. Do I have to go to court?
Most cases settle, but our willingness to go to trial often forces higher settlements.

Conclusion: Don’t Face Insurance Companies Alone

After a car accident in Missouri, your future depends on the steps you take. Protect yourself. Get medical treatment. Document everything. And most importantly—hire a powerful, aggressive St. Louis personal injury lawyer.

At Sansone & Lauber, we fight for maximum compensation in every case. Insurance companies know our reputation—and they pay attention when we’re on the other side of the table.

📞 Call Sansone & Lauber today for your free case evaluation at 314-863-0500. 

When your life is on the line, don’t settle for less.