At the scene: what the law requires

Missouri law says you must stop after a crash that hurts someone or damages another person’s property. You must give four things to the other driver or to a police officer (RSMo § 577.060):

1. Your name.
2. Your home address, with city and street number.
3. Your license plate number.
4. Your driver’s license number.

If no officer is nearby, you give the information to the nearest police department.

Driving away without doing this is a crime. It is a misdemeanor at the least. It becomes a felony if someone was hurt, if damage is over $1,000, or if someone died.

You must also show your insurance card if an officer asks. A picture of the card on your phone counts. Showing it does not give the officer the right to look at anything else on your phone.

The first few hours

1. Get to a safe spot if you can. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.
2. Take photos before anything is moved. Get the cars, the road, traffic lights, skid marks and any injuries.
3. Get names and phone numbers of witnesses. A stranger who saw the crash is often the most trusted witness.
4. Take a photo of the other driver’s insurance card.
5. See a doctor the same day if you have any pain. Some injuries do not show up right away. A long gap before your first visit can hurt your claim later.
6. Ask the officer how to get a copy of the crash report.

When the officer asks what happened, tell the truth. Stick to what you know. Do not guess about speed. Do not say “it was my fault” or “I should have seen them.” Fault gets decided later, based on all the proof. See our guide on comparative fault.

The 30-day report to the state

This is separate from the police report. Many people have never heard of it.

You must send a written report to the Missouri Director of Revenue within 30 days in two cases (RSMo § 303.040):

• The crash involved a driver with no insurance, and someone was hurt or killed, or one person’s property damage was over $500. Every driver involved must report.
• You had no insurance yourself. Then you must report any crash.

This rule covers crashes on public roads and on parking lots open to the public. If you skip the report, you can be fined up to $500. You can also lose your license until you file it.

Here is why the report helps you. If the other driver had no insurance and does not file a report, the law treats that as proof that driver was uninsured. That can help your uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance company.

The first two weeks: insurance and records

Tell your own insurance company about the crash. Most policies say you must do this promptly.

You will likely get a call from the other driver’s insurance company too. Remember who that adjuster works for: the other driver’s insurer. Before you talk, read our guide on talking to insurance adjusters.

Start a folder. Keep every:

• Medical bill and statement from your health plan.
• Pharmacy receipt.
• Car repair estimate and rental car receipt.
• Pay stub showing work you missed.

Also keep a short weekly note about your pain and what you cannot do. These records prove your losses. In Missouri, the amounts actually paid and still owed on your medical bills can be used as evidence. So your billing records matter as much as your doctor’s notes.

Mistakes to avoid

• Leaving the scene before you share your information.
• Skipping the doctor because you feel “okay for now.”
• Posting about the crash or your injuries online.
• Signing papers from any insurance company before you understand them.
• Getting your car fixed before it is photographed.

When the crash involves more

Some crashes bring extra rules and extra people who may be responsible.

• A semi or delivery truck? See truck accidents.
• An Uber or Lyft? See rideshare accidents.
• A drunk driver? See drunk driver accidents and our guide to punitive damages.

No matter the vehicle, you have five years to file a lawsuit for most injury claims. Use that time to heal, not to let proof slip away.

Common questions

Related reading

• Car accident help in St. Louis
• Talking to insurance adjusters
• Missouri auto insurance requirements
• What to bring to your consultation