What To Do After A Car Accident In Missouri

Sansone & Lauber | | Personal Injury Blog
what to do after a car accident

The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Health, Rights, and Maximum Compensation
By Sansone & Lauber – Aggressive Injury Attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri

Getting into a car accident can be overwhelming, painful, and downright confusing — especially when it happens on the busy highways, intersections, and backroads of Missouri.

From fender benders on I-70 to serious crashes on I-55 or Lindbergh Blvd, one thing is certain: what you do after a crash will determine your physical, financial, and legal future.

As leading car accident attorneys in St. Louis, Sansone & Lauber has helped thousands of injured clients across Missouri navigate the chaos of post-crash claims, hospital bills, insurance games, and settlement traps. And we’ve recovered millions doing it.

In this blog, we’ll give you the most comprehensive, step-by-step breakdown of what to do after a car accident in Missouri — optimized for people searching for real answers and real results.

Table of Contents

  1. Crash Statistics in Missouri — You’re Not Alone

  2. Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Accident

  3. Mistakes That Can Kill Your Case (Even If You’re Not at Fault)

  4. Do You Have to Call the Police in Missouri?

  5. Understanding Missouri’s Fault-Based Insurance System

  6. How to Get Medical Treatment — Even Without Insurance

  7. The Role of Evidence in Winning Your Claim

  8. Why Insurance Adjusters Are Not Your Friend

  9. How to Calculate the Real Value of Your Injury Claim

  10. When to Call a Missouri Car Accident Lawyer

  11. Why Clients Trust Sansone & Lauber

  12. Free Case Review — Get Legal Help Now

Crash Statistics in Missouri — You’re Not Alone

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, over 150,000 traffic crashes occur statewide every year, resulting in thousands of injuries and fatalities.

Top contributing factors include:

  • Speeding

  • Drunk driving

  • Distracted driving (texting, eating, adjusting GPS)

  • Weather-related hazards

  • Driver inexperience

  • Road rage

If you’ve been injured, you’re not alone — and you’re not without legal options. Missouri law allows injury victims to pursue full compensation from the at-fault party — but only if you take the right legal steps.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Accident

1. Prioritize Safety

Move your vehicle to a safe spot if possible. Turn on your hazard lights. Stay calm.

2. Call 911

Request police and emergency medical help. This creates an official crash record — vital for your case.

3. Exchange Information

Collect:

  • Name, address, and phone number of all drivers

  • Driver’s license info

  • Vehicle make, model, license plate

  • Insurance company and policy number

4. Take Photos and Video

Document:

  • Vehicle damage

  • Skid marks and debris

  • Road conditions and traffic signals

  • Injuries (if safe to do so)

5. Identify Witnesses

Get names and contact information from any bystanders. Their testimony could make or break your case.

6. Get Medical Care — Immediately

Even if you feel fine, see a doctor. Some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms. Without medical documentation, your claim may be denied.

Mistakes That Can Kill Your Case

Saying “I’m Sorry” or Admitting Fault
Failing to Get Medical Treatment Within 72 Hours
Posting About the Crash on Social Media
Giving a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Adjuster
Signing Documents Without a Lawyer
Settling Too Early

Insurance companies love these mistakes — because they help them deny or devalue your case. We stop that from happening.

Do You Have to Call the Police in Missouri?

Yes — and failing to do so could cost you your case.

Under Missouri law, you must file a police report if:

  • The crash involves injury, death, or $500+ in property damage

  • The other driver refuses to provide insurance info

  • You hit a parked car or other property

Ask the responding officer for:

  • Their name and badge number

  • The Missouri Uniform Accident Report Number

  • Instructions on how to obtain a copy of the report

Pro tip: Always wait for the police to arrive, even if the other driver tries to convince you otherwise.

Understanding Missouri’s Fault-Based Insurance System

Missouri uses a pure comparative fault system. That means:

  • The at-fault driver’s insurance pays for damages

  • If you’re partially at fault, your compensation is reduced proportionally

Example: If you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, you receive $80,000.

That’s why insurers fight to shift blame to you. At Sansone & Lauber, we gather the facts and push back hard — because we know the law, and we know how to win.

How to Get Medical Treatment — Even Without Insurance

No health insurance? No problem. We can help connect you with:

  • Providers who treat on a lien (paid from your settlement)

  • Physical therapy centers

  • MRI and imaging services

  • Pain management and orthopedic care

Delaying treatment is the #1 mistake that destroys personal injury claims. Let us help you get the care you need — fast.

The Role of Evidence in Winning Your Claim

Insurance companies don’t pay based on what you feel — they pay based on what you can prove.

We collect and preserve:

  • Crash reports

  • EMS and ER records

  • Surveillance or dashcam footage

  • Phone records (to prove distracted driving)

  • Black box data (in truck and rideshare cases)

  • Expert witness reports

The stronger the evidence, the stronger your case — and the higher your compensation.

Why Insurance Adjusters Are Not Your Friend

They may sound polite on the phone, but make no mistake — they work for the insurance company, not you.

Their tactics include:

  • Acting like they’re “just trying to help”

  • Offering quick settlements before medical bills are in

  • Recording your call to use your words against you

  • Asking about pre-existing conditions

  • Pressuring you to sign a release

Don’t speak to them at all. Let us do the talking.

How to Calculate the Real Value of Your Injury Claim

Every case is different, but here are key damage categories:

  • Medical Expenses: ER bills, surgery, follow-ups, physical therapy

  • Lost Income: Past and future wages

  • Pain and Suffering: Chronic pain, disability, disfigurement

  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life

  • Emotional Distress

  • Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Medications, transportation, home modifications

  • Wrongful Death Damages: Funeral costs, loss of companionship, lost household income

We bring in economists, medical experts, and vocational specialists to build a case that demands top dollar.

When to Call a Missouri Car Accident Lawyer

You should contact Sansone & Lauber immediately if:

  • You or a passenger is injured

  • The other driver denies fault

  • The crash involved a truck, commercial vehicle, or rideshare

  • You missed work

  • You’re receiving calls from adjusters

  • You’re unsure what your case is worth

Early legal intervention gives you the upper hand. We handle everything — while you focus on healing.

Why Clients Trust Sansone & Lauber

🏆 Millions Recovered for Injury Victims
💼 Aggressive, Trial-Ready Attorneys
📍 Deep Local Knowledge of Missouri Law
💰 No Fees Unless We Win
🧠 Decades of Experience in High-Stakes Litigation
💬 Constant Communication & Real Access to Your Lawyer

Free Case Review — Get Legal Help Now

Don’t let a crash derail your future. Don’t trust the insurance company to play fair. And don’t try to go it alone.

Let Sansone & Lauber fight for every dollar you’re owed.

📞 Call us today at (314) 863-0500
🌐 Schedule a FREE case consultation at www.missourilawyers.com
📍 Proudly serving St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson County, Columbia, and all of Missouri