After a crash in Missouri, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked, move the vehicles if they can be driven and it is safe, exchange information with the other driver, photograph everything, get a report number from the responding officer, and notify your insurer promptly. That order matters. Everything else, including choosing a repair shop and negotiating the claim, can wait until the scene is under control.
At the scene
- Safety first. Turn on hazard lights. If you are on a highway, ramp or bridge and the vehicle cannot move, stay inside with your seat belt on unless fire or another danger forces you out.
- Call 911 if there are injuries, the vehicles are blocking traffic, someone seems impaired, or you are unsure. Describe the location by highway exit or cross street.
- Move the vehicles to the shoulder or a nearby lot if they run and no one is hurt. First take quick photos of positions if it is safe to do so.
- Do not argue about fault. Be polite and factual. Do not apologize in a way that could be read as an admission, and do not guess at what happened.
- Exchange information: names, home addresses, phone numbers, insurance company and policy number, driver license number, plate numbers, and vehicle make and model. When a crash injures someone or damages another person's property, Missouri law requires each driver to stop and give their name, address, plate number and driver license number (RSMo 577.060).
- Collect witnesses. Names and numbers from people who saw the crash are often valuable later.
Documenting the damage
| What to capture | Why |
|---|---|
| All four sides of each vehicle and close-ups of damage | Shows the extent before repairs or arguments about it |
| License plates and the other driver's insurance card | Prevents errors in later claims |
| Road conditions, skid marks, signs and signals | Documents the circumstances, especially in weather |
| The scene from a distance | Shows where the cars stopped and traffic layout |
| Any injuries and your symptoms in notes | Helps link later medical care to the crash |
Who responds and the police report
Depending on where you are, the responding agency may be the Kansas City, Missouri police department, a suburban police department, a county sheriff's office or the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Whichever it is, ask for the officer's name and the report number before leaving. Reports usually take some days to become available. If the officer does not come to the scene because of volume or minor damage, ask the dispatcher how to file a report on your own and keep a record of that call.
Reports to the state
Missouri requires you to report a crash to the Department of Revenue's Driver License Bureau on a Motor Vehicle Accident Report, Form 1140, when all of these apply: it involved an uninsured motorist, someone was hurt or killed or property damage exceeded $500, and it happened less than a year ago. The department's accident information page sets out those conditions. Having a police report does not take the place of that form. If you are unsure whether it applies, read the page or ask the Driver License Bureau. Missouri requires drivers to carry liability insurance, so if the other driver cannot show proof of coverage, write that down, tell the officer and mention it to your insurer.
Contact your own insurer
Report the crash promptly, even if you believe the other driver is at fault. Policies commonly require timely notice. Give the facts plainly, and avoid speculation about injuries or fault. Ask the claims representative about:
- your collision, comprehensive, rental and towing coverage;
- your deductible and whether it is recoverable from the at-fault driver's insurer;
- how to schedule an inspection and whether photo estimates are accepted;
- how rental car coverage works and the daily limit.
If the other driver is at fault, you may also make a claim with that driver's insurer, but you do not have to wait for it. Many people use their own coverage to get the car repaired quickly and let the insurers settle between themselves. A separate guide explains how estimates, supplements and payments work.
Towing and storage
If the car cannot be driven, a tow truck will come to the scene, either called by police rotation or by you. If you called the tow yourself, you can usually choose where the car goes; after a police-ordered tow it may go to the tow company's lot first, so ask where it is being taken. Avoid leaving a damaged car at a tow yard for days, since storage fees add up daily and some insurers limit what they will pay. Ask for itemized charges and keep receipts. Choosing a repairer is covered in our guide to picking a shop.
Health and statements
Get checked by a medical professional if you have any pain, stiffness or headaches, even hours or days later. Adrenaline hides injuries. Be cautious with recorded statements to the other party's insurer. You are not required to give one to a company that is not yours, and it is reasonable to say you will provide documents in writing. If injuries are serious or fault is disputed, talk to a licensed attorney.
A short checklist for your glove box
- Insurance card and registration
- A pen and paper in case your phone dies
- Your insurer's claims phone number, written down
- A flashlight, reflective triangles or flares
- A note of any medical conditions or medications
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to call the police after a minor accident in Missouri?
Call 911 for injuries, blocked lanes or any situation that feels unsafe. For minor crashes without injuries, a police report is not always taken, but it helps document the event for insurance. If officers decline to come, ask how to file your own report.
Do I need to report an accident to the Missouri Department of Revenue?
Yes, if the crash involved an uninsured motorist, someone was hurt or killed or property damage exceeded $500, and it happened less than a year ago. In that case you must report it to the Driver License Bureau on Form 1140. Read the department's accident information page or ask the bureau if you are unsure whether your crash qualifies.
Should I move my car after a crash?
If no one is hurt and the car can be driven, moving it out of traffic is safer than staying in a lane. Photograph the scene first if you can do that safely.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
Tell the police and your insurer. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may help with injuries, and collision coverage can pay for your car's damage minus your deductible. Policies differ, so check yours.
How soon should I notify my insurance company?
As soon as possible, ideally the same day. Policies often require prompt notice, and early reports make it easier to arrange towing, inspection and rental coverage.