Missouri Car Accident Report Basics

Auto accidents can happen when you least expect them to, and it's a safe bet you weren't hoping to be in one. As you contemplate the wreckage in the aftermath, it's natural to have questions. Who is going to pay for this? Did the weather conditions have something to do with the accident? How will they figure out whose fault it was?

The answers to these questions and others will be derived in part from the police accident report, which will be written by the law enforcement officer who responds to the crash. While we'll examine the important Missouri motor vehicle laws and how fault and negligence will affect your insurance claim, the main focus of this article will be on this extremely important document.

Read on to learn about Missouri car accident report basics.

Missouri Auto Laws and Requirements

As a driver in Missouri, you have shared legal obligations with other motorists. Knowing the laws can save you headaches and money.

Liability Insurance Requirements in Missouri

Because accidents happen, you must have liability insurance on your vehicle to drive in the state. Missouri requires drivers to have at least the following minimums for their coverage:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per accident for property damage

Carrying uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident is also a requirement in Missouri.

You risk having both your license plates and your driver's license suspended if you drive without valid liability insurance. You must be able to show proof of insurance when requested.

Liability insurance is used to cover property damages and medical expenses from car accidents. For a detailed explanation of what to expect while resolving an insurance claim from a motor vehicle accident, check out FindLaw's Missouri Car Accident Settlement Process and Timeline article.

Fault and Negligence in Missouri Car Accidents

The information in the police accident report will be used to determine who will get recovery and how much. Missouri is an at-fault state. This means the driver determined to be most responsible for causing the accident is liable to pay for the damages to others.

The amount drivers can be awarded is affected by Missouri's pure comparative negligence policy. Your damages will be reduced by the percentage you're considered responsible. If your damages are $10,000 and you were determined to be 25% at fault, you'd receive $7,500.

You can make a claim for damages even if you're 99% responsible for the accident, but if successful, you'll only receive 1% of what was awarded.

To understand what you might or might not be able to recover, look at FindLaw's Missouri Car Accident Compensation Laws article.

What To Do After an Auto Accident in Missouri

There are certain steps you should try to take after an auto accident, some of which are legal obligations. For instance, don't leave the scene of the accident. Even if the crash seems minor, you must at least exchange contact information and insurance information with the other driver(s).

Check yourself and others for injuries. Offer aid if necessary. If you call 911, be sure to alert the operator about anyone needing medical attention. If you suffered a personal injury, seek medical attention as soon as possible and keep copies of all medical expenses.

You are required to either report the accident yourself within five days or have the police come if any of the following applies:

• There is an injury
• There is a fatality
• There is more than $500 of property damage
• An uninsured driver was involved

As it doesn't take much to reach $500 worth of damage on cars, summoning law enforcement is often the best idea. While waiting, take pictures of the accident scene from numerous angles. If anyone saw what happened, get their contact information and a witness statement.

Although the police report will also contain this data, exchange information with the other driver(s). At a minimum, get the following:

• Name, address, phone number, date of birth
• Driver's license numbers
• License plate number
• Auto insurance policy number

You can file your own crash accident report, but you're not required to if a police officer shows up. If you choose to file a report yourself, having a copy of the official Missouri traffic crash report form in your glove box can ensure you don't miss any necessary details.

Missouri Traffic Crash Reports

When law enforcement arrives to take control of the situation and write the police report, do your best to be calm and polite while giving your side of the story. The officer will take statements from everyone involved and gather objective data to fill out the crash report. Some of the information noted includes:

• Diagrams showing the point of impact and the positions of the vehicles involved
• Road conditions
• Weather conditions
• Lighting/time of day
• Sobriety of drivers
• Pertinent traffic signals/signs
• Skid marks

As the officer was not a witness, the traffic crash report cannot determine fault on its own. Rather, the insurance adjusters at the involved insurance companies will analyze the data presented as part of their case file.

You'll need a copy of the police report for your insurance claim and if you decide to pursue a civil lawsuit. If the accident occurred on a highway, you can obtain a copy from the Missouri State Highway Patrol's website for $6.

Otherwise, you can get a copy of the traffic crash report from the police department where the accident occurred. For example, if the accident was in Jefferson City, you'd get a copy there.

If you ever feel overwhelmed or in over your head, consider speaking with a car accident lawyer for legal advice.

Missouri Traffic Crash Report Summary

The chart below provides a recap of Missouri laws and procedures involved with Missouri crash reports.

Note: State laws are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts that include federal decisions, ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Addition Information on Traffic Accidents in Missouri

While every accident has unique factors, there is often shared ground with other crashes. You may find the answers below useful to your particular situation.

My fender bender didn't seem to cause much damage, so we agreed not to bring in the police. Was that a mistake?

Unless you do bodywork or are a mechanic, placing an accurate estimate on collision damage can be difficult. It's best to err on the side of caution and have the police show up. Not only might you encounter difficulties with your insurance company, but you could also run afoul of the law.

Is it important to alert my insurance company from the scene?

The sooner you let your insurance carrier know you were involved in a car crash, the sooner a case file can be opened and the sooner you can get a settlement. Many insurance companies have notification systems available through their phone app.

Remember to keep copies of all medical bills, body shop estimates, and quotes from mechanics.

Related Resources for Research

• Missouri Department of Transportation
• Missouri Department of Revenue
• Car Accident Checklist
• Missouri Traffic Laws
• Auto Insurance Claim Basics

Get a Review of Your Auto Accident Claim

After a car accident, it's normal to be angry and frustrated. It can take weeks to get your life back to normal. An experienced Missouri car accident attorney can negotiate your insurance settlement or bring your claim to court to ensure you're compensated for damages for your car accident claim.