Sansone & Lauber | February 11, 2026 | Car Accidents

I Was Injured in a Car Accident in Missouri—What Do I Do Now?

If you were injured in a Missouri car accident, you should (1) get medical care immediately, (2) report the crash and document the scene and your injuries, (3) avoid giving recorded statements or signing broad authorizations for the other driver’s insurer, (4) preserve evidence like photos, video, and witness info, and (5) speak with a Missouri personal injury lawyer as soon as possible so your claim is protected from insurance tactics and your damages are fully documented.

What you do right now matters—because insurance companies start building their defense immediately, and delays can destroy evidence, weaken medical documentation, and reduce the value of your claim. Your first priority is medical care. Your second priority is protecting your case.

Call Sansone & Lauber RIGHT NOW and speak with a lawyer for FREE at 314-863-0500. Our attorneys are standing by to take your call. Don’t Wait! Waiting only hurts your case! The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you!

Why Missouri Accident Claims Get Underpaid (and How It Happens)

Most injured people don’t lose money because they “did something wrong.” They lose money because they unknowingly do what insurers want them to do—such as:

waiting days or weeks to get treatment (or stopping treatment too early)
giving a recorded statement “to help process the claim”
minimizing injuries (“I’m okay” / “not that bad”)
taking a fast settlement before the full diagnosis is known
failing to document wage loss, symptoms, and daily limitations
not preserving evidence before it disappears

Missouri’s legal standard expects drivers to exercise the highest degree of care, and that duty matters when proving fault. But proving fault is only half the battle—proving damages is what forces full compensation.

Call RIGHT NOW and speak with a lawyer for FREE at 314-863-0500. Our attorneys are standing by to take your call. Don’t Wait! Waiting only hurts your case! The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you!

What To Do Now: Step-by-Step After a Missouri Car Accident Injury

Step 1: Get Medical Care Immediately—and Treat Your Records Like Evidence

Go to the ER/urgent care if symptoms are serious or concerning

Go immediately if you have:

head impact, loss of consciousness, confusion, dizziness, vomiting
chest pain, shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain
numbness, weakness, severe back/neck pain
suspected fractures

If you don’t go same-day, get evaluated as soon as symptoms appear

Many injury symptoms ramp up over 24–72 hours:

whiplash/neck spasms
headaches or concussion symptoms
back pain or radiating leg/arm pain
shoulder/knee pain from bracing
sleep disruption and anxiety when driving

Do not “tough it out”

Insurance companies weaponize delay. A gap in treatment becomes:

“They weren’t really hurt.”
“It must be from something else.”
“They got better quickly.”

Tip: Tell every provider the same core facts: you were in a motor vehicle crash in Missouri, you were injured, and these symptoms started after the collision. Consistency wins cases.

Step 2: Document the Scene and Your Injuries Like It’s a Crime Scene

If you can do it safely (or have someone help), collect:

Scene and vehicle evidence

photos of all vehicles from multiple angles
close-ups of damage, broken glass, deployed airbags
skid marks, debris, fluid trails
traffic signs, lane layout, lighting, weather
the other driver’s plate, insurance card, and ID

Injury evidence

photos of bruising/swelling daily for 7–10 days
any visible cuts, abrasions, casts, braces
a short daily note: pain level, sleep issues, activities you can’t do

Witness evidence

names and phone numbers
a quick note: what they saw, where they were standing

Witnesses disappear fast. Video gets overwritten. This is why speed matters.

Step 3: Call the Police (or Make Sure a Report Exists)

A crash report can be crucial when the other driver later:

changes their story
claims you were at fault
denies injuries or impact severity

Get:

report number
responding agency
officer name (if available)

Even when the insurer “accepts liability,” the report helps lock in the basics and supports your claim narrative.

Step 4: Don’t Admit Fault or Guess About Details

At the scene and afterward:

don’t apologize (it gets twisted into “admission”)
don’t guess speeds or distances
don’t argue about who “could have avoided it”

Just exchange information and document the facts.

Missouri also uses pure comparative fault, which means the defense often tries to assign you a percentage of blame to reduce what they pay. The less you speculate, the less ammunition you give them.

Step 5: Shut Down Insurance Traps (This Is Where People Lose Real Money)

Do NOT give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer

They’ll claim it’s “required.” It usually isn’t required for you—and it’s one of the fastest ways to hurt your case.

Do NOT sign broad medical authorizations

They’ll ask for blanket access to your entire history. That can be used to cherry-pick unrelated issues.

Do NOT accept a quick settlement

Early offers often arrive before:

MRI findings
specialist evaluations
PT completion
surgery recommendations
full wage loss documentation
long-term prognosis

Once you sign a release, you typically can’t reopen the claim.

Step 6: Preserve Video and Digital Evidence Before It Disappears

In modern cases, the best evidence is often video or data:

dashcam footage (yours or witnesses)
nearby business surveillance footage
home security camera footage
traffic camera areas
photos taken immediately after the crash

Act quickly. Many systems overwrite within days.

Also preserve:

your phone’s photos/videos (don’t delete)
your vehicle repair estimates and towing receipts
any texts/emails from the other driver or insurer

Step 7: Identify All Insurance Coverage (Not Just the At-Fault Policy)

In Missouri, coverage can come from multiple places depending on the case:

the at-fault driver’s liability policy
the vehicle you were in (if you were a passenger)
your uninsured/underinsured coverage (UM/UIM) if applicable
additional policies if the at-fault driver was working (employer/commercial)
homeowner/umbrella policies in some scenarios

Missouri requires vehicle owners/operators to maintain “financial responsibility” (insurance or other qualifying proof) under Missouri’s financial responsibility law. But even when insurance exists, the policy limits may be too low for serious injury—so identifying the full insurance stack is critical.

Step 8: Track Wage Loss and Work Restrictions Immediately

If you miss work—or can’t do your job the same way—start documenting now:

pay stubs (last 2–3 months)
employer letter verifying missed time
doctor work restrictions in writing
job description (physical demands)

Lost wages are only part of the story. Serious injuries often create loss of earning capacity (future impact), and that must be proven, not guessed.

Step 9: Understand Deadlines (But Don’t Treat the Deadline as Your Timeline)

Many Missouri personal injury claims fall under a five-year limitations category for “injury to the person.”

But here’s the reality: evidence and leverage don’t wait five years:

video disappears
witnesses forget
medical gaps grow
the insurer builds defenses first

The sooner you act, the stronger the claim.

How Much Is My Missouri Car Accident Injury Case Worth?

There’s no honest “average” worth using. Value depends on two pillars:

1) Liability strength

clear fault vs disputed fault
quality of evidence (video, witnesses, scene documentation)
whether comparative fault is being alleged

2) Damages proof

Economic damages (money losses)

ER/hospital, imaging, specialists
PT, injections, medications
future care
lost wages and reduced earning capacity
out-of-pocket costs

Non-economic damages (human losses)

pain and suffering
emotional distress
disability/impairment
loss of enjoyment of life
scarring/disfigurement (if applicable)

Your case is worth what you can prove—and that proof is built from day one.

Why Hire Sansone & Lauber After a Missouri Car Accident Injury?

If you’re injured, you don’t just need “a lawyer.” You need a strategy that prevents mistakes and builds leverage.

Sansone & Lauber emphasizes that delaying gives the insurance company time to build a defense, that consultations are free, and that the firm works on contingency (no fee unless you get paid).

That matters because the insurer’s goal is simple: pay as little as possible, as quickly as possible. Your goal is the opposite: maximum compensation that protects your future.

Missouri Car Accident Injury FAQ

Should I go to the doctor if I “feel okay”?

If you’re having symptoms—or symptoms appear within days—yes. Many injuries are delayed, and early documentation protects both your health and your claim.

What if the other driver says it was my fault?

Expect blame-shifting. Missouri’s pure comparative fault framework means the defense may try to assign you a percentage of fault to reduce payout. Evidence beats arguments.

What if I was hit by someone who doesn’t have insurance?

There may still be options depending on your policy and coverage. You should have an attorney review all available coverages and defendants.

How soon should I call a lawyer?

As soon as possible—especially if injuries are serious, treatment is ongoing, there’s a dispute about fault, or the insurer is pressuring you.

Bottom Line: Protect Your Health, Protect Your Evidence, Protect Your Future

If you were injured in a Missouri car accident, don’t let the insurance company turn your pain into a discount. Medical care first, documentation second, and legal protection early.

I Was Injured In A Car Accident In Missouri—What Do I Do Now?