You are driving down I-55. Traffic is flowing fine. Then it is not. Crunch. And suddenly you are sitting on the shoulder, adrenaline surging, your mind blank. What do you do now?
Most people freeze. They do not know what to say, what to avoid saying, what to photograph, who to call. They rely on the other driver's honesty and the insurance adjuster's goodwill. Both are unreliable.
Here are the 10 things every Missouri driver should know — steps that take minutes but protect you for months.
1.Take Photos of Everything
Before anything else — before you talk to the other driver, before you move your car — photograph the scene. Use your phone. Get: all vehicles from multiple angles showing damage, the road layout and lane markings, traffic signs and signals, the other driver's license plate, the other driver's insurance card, any visible injuries on yourself or passengers, and skid marks or debris on the road. Do not worry about getting the perfect shot. Get something. Anything. A blurry photo is better than no photo.
2.Never Say "I'm Fine" — Even If You Feel Fine
Adrenaline hides injuries. Whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding — none of these hurt immediately. When the police officer asks if you are injured, and you say "I am fine," that goes in the report. Six weeks later when your neck is in constant pain, the insurance company will point to those two words and argue you were never hurt. Say: "I was in an accident. I need to be evaluated by a doctor." Not "I'm fine."
3.Call the Police — Every Time
Missouri requires you to report any accident causing injury, death, or property damage over $500. Call 911 even for minor fender-benders. The accident report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in your case. It documents who was at the scene, what they said, and how the vehicles were positioned. Without it, it is your word against theirs. With it, you have an official record from an objective third party. Get the report number before you leave the scene.
4.Get the Other Driver's DOT Number (If a Commercial Vehicle Was Involved)
If a semi-truck, delivery truck, or any commercial vehicle was involved in your accident, get the DOT number of that company. Commercial trucks are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The DOT number lets you look up the company's safety record, inspection history, and prior violations — all of which can be critical to establishing fault. Do not assume the trucking company's insurance will volunteer this information.
5.Do Not Talk to the Other Driver's Insurance Company
Within days of the accident, the other driver's insurance company will call you. They will be polite, professional, and may seem genuinely helpful. They are not. Their job is to close your claim for as little as possible, and the easiest way to do that is to get you to say something that undermines your claim. You do not have to give them a recorded statement. You do not have to explain your injuries in detail. You do not have to answer their questions at all. Politely decline and tell them to contact your attorney.
6.Go to the ER Within 24 Hours
This is non-negotiable. If you were in a car accident today, go to an emergency room or urgent care clinic before the day is over — even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain. Injuries do not always show up on initial scans. But they show up in medical records. Every day you delay seeking treatment, the insurance company will argue your injuries were not serious enough to require immediate care. Go today. Tell the physician exactly what happened so it is documented in your chart.
7.Do Not Post About the Accident on Social Media
After a car accident, resist the urge to post anything — even a vague "fender bender, hope everyone is okay" status update. Insurance companies monitor social media. A photo of you at a barbecue two weeks after the accident — even if you were just sitting and watching — will be presented as evidence that you were not really injured. Your privacy settings are not a shield; screenshots can be taken. Do not post. Not until your case is resolved.
8.Keep Every Receipt Related to the Accident
Every cost that flows from the accident is part of your claim. Keep receipts for: rental car charges, cab or rideshare rides when you could not drive, parking at medical appointments, medical equipment (crutches, braces, medications), and any household help you paid for because you could not do it yourself. Without receipts, it is your word against theirs. With receipts, it is documentation that gets added to the settlement demand. Start a folder — physical or digital — today.
9.Know the Missouri Statute of Limitations
In Missouri, you have five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. If you do not file within five years, the court will refuse to hear your case — no matter how serious your injuries are, no matter how clearly the other driver was at fault. Five years sounds like a long time. It is not. Investigations take months. Medical treatment takes months. Negotiations take months. Talk to an attorney within weeks of the accident, not years.
10.Get a Free Case Evaluation — Before You Talk to Any Insurance Adjuster
Most accident victims talk to an insurance adjuster within days, sign a release without understanding what it means, and accept a settlement that does not come close to covering their actual costs — all before they ever talk to a lawyer. You do not have to do it in that order. A free case evaluation costs you nothing. It takes 20 minutes. And it tells you what your claim is actually worth before you make any decisions that cannot be undone. Call Taran & Associates, P.C. at (573) 227-8841 or use our free case value calculator right now.
Missouri is an at-fault state. This means the driver who caused the accident — and their insurance — is responsible for your damages. You can file a claim directly against the at-fault driver's insurance, sue them in court, or use your own insurance's uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if their policy is insufficient to cover your losses. An attorney helps you decide which path maximizes your recovery.
What Happens If You Skip These Steps?
Every step you skip costs you money. No photos means no evidence of how the accident happened. No police report means no official record of the scene. No medical records from day one means the insurance company will argue your injuries appeared later — and therefore were not caused by the accident. No receipts means no documentation for household costs, rental cars, and out-of-pocket expenses.
None of these are fatal to a claim — but they make it harder, longer, and less valuable. The insurance company has adjusters, lawyers, and years of experience paying as little as possible. You deserve someone in your corner doing the same thing on your behalf.
Free Case Evaluation — No Fee Unless We Win
If you have been in a car accident in Missouri, Taran & Associates, P.C. can help you understand what your claim is worth — including all the hidden costs we have outlined here. We work on contingency, which means no attorney fees unless we recover money for you.
Call (573) 227-8841 or fill out our free case value calculator to get started.
Know Your Rights After a Missouri Car Crash
10 steps that take minutes to follow and months to regret skipping. Get a free case evaluation — no fee unless we win.
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