What Do I Do If I Was Rear-Ended and Injured In A Car Accident In Missouri?

Rear-Ended and Injured In A Car Accident In Missouri

If you were rear-ended and injured in Missouri, get medical help, call police, exchange information, take photos, do not give a recorded statement, and call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 immediately. Missouri’s Department of Revenue says you must stop, help anyone who is hurt, contact police, and exchange identifying and insurance information after an accident. We tell injured drivers to act fast because rear-end crash claims may look simple, but insurance companies still fight liability, question injuries, and push cheap settlements.

What To Do Right Away

  • Call 911
  • Get medical care as soon as possible
  • Report the crash to police
  • Exchange names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, insurance company names, and policy numbers
  • Take photos of all vehicles, the crash scene, and your injuries
  • Get witness names and phone numbers
  • Do not admit fault
  • Do not give the other driver’s insurance company a recorded statement
  • Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500

Steps To Protect Your Missouri Rear-End Injury Case

1. Get treatment immediately

Your health comes first. It also creates the medical record your case needs. Medical treatment should be the priority after a crash.

2. Photograph everything

Take pictures of:

  • the damage to both vehicles
  • license plates
  • skid marks
  • debris
  • traffic lights or signs
  • your visible injuries

3. Get witness information

Independent witnesses can make a major difference, especially if the other driver later changes the story.

4. Do not “tough it out”

Rear-end injuries often get worse over days, not minutes. Whiplash, herniated discs, headaches, concussions, shoulder injuries, knee injuries, and aggravated pre-existing injuries are all issues we see in these cases.

5. Do not give a recorded statement

Recorded statements are often used to lock you into wording the insurer can use against you later.

6. Keep every record

Save your medical bills, treatment records, repair estimates, receipts, and proof of missed work. In our St. Louis car accident practice, we treat medical bills, lost income, repair costs, and pain and suffering as core damages in these claims.

7. Call us fast

The longer you wait, the more time the insurance company has to build a defense. We offer free consultations and no-fee-unless-we-win representation. Call 314-863-0500 now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer if I was rear-ended in Missouri?

Yes, in most injury cases. Rear-end crashes may look obvious, but insurers still argue “sudden stop,” chain-reaction fault, minor-impact injuries, delayed treatment, or pre-existing conditions. We handle St. Louis car accident cases and fight for people injured by negligent drivers.

What if the other driver says I stopped suddenly?

That is a common insurance-company defense. Rear-end claims can still become disputed over traffic patterns, witness statements, the timing of the stop, and multi-vehicle impact sequence. That is one reason early investigation matters.

What if I do not feel hurt right away?

Get checked anyway. Rear-end injuries commonly worsen after the crash, and delayed treatment gives insurers an argument that you were not really hurt or that something else caused the symptoms.

What damages can I recover after a rear-end accident in Missouri?

Your claim may include:

  • medical bills
  • lost income
  • vehicle repair or replacement costs
  • pain and suffering

In serious cases, the value goes up with more severe injuries, stronger medical proof, future care needs, and long-term limits.

How long do I have to sue after a Missouri car accident?

Missouri generally applies a five-year limitations period to injury claims. That does not mean you should wait. Evidence disappears long before the deadline.

How do I get the crash report?

If the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the crash, the Patrol says to wait 10 days from the date of the investigation before requesting the basic crash report.

Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?

Be careful. Insurers often try to get statements early, before the full medical picture is known. We strongly recommend speaking with counsel before giving a recorded statement.

Why Choose Sansone & Lauber for Your Missouri Rear-End Injury Case?

1. We handle car accident cases throughout St. Louis

Our California car accident lawyers focus on helping people injured in car accidents caused by negligence, and we have obtained millions of dollars in compensation for seriously injured clients.

2. We know rear-end crash cases

We already write and litigate around the exact issues insurers use in rear-end claims: delayed symptoms, sudden-stop arguments, recorded statements, and lowball offers.

3. We fight insurance companies, not for them

We do not represent insurance companies or large corporations. We fight for injured people.

4. We know what your case is really worth

We build claims around the full damages picture, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. We do not tell clients to grab the first cheap offer.

5. We make it easy to get help

Our consultation is free. We work on contingency. No fee unless we win.

Call Sansone & Lauber Now

If you were rear-ended and injured in Missouri, do not wait for the insurance company to control the story.

Do not guess about your injuries.

Do not settle cheap.

Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 now for a free consultation. We will review the crash, protect the evidence, deal with the insurer, and fight for the compensation you deserve.