Stephen Schultz | December 5, 2024 | Car Accidents
A car accident may be a minor fender bender that is more frustrating than painful. Other car crashes may cause severe injuries and wrongful deaths. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, Missouri requires that most car accidents be reported to the police within a certain time frame.
Reporting a Car Accident to the Police in Missouri
Missouri Motor Vehicle Code §303.040 requires drivers to report a car accident to the police if:
- Someone was injured in the collision
- A person died because of the collision
- The collision resulted in more than $500 in property damage
The easiest and quickest way to contact the police after an accident is by calling 911. The emergency operator will dispatch the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the crash site.
For example, the St. Louis Police Department may investigate car crashes in St. Louis. However, certain roads may be under the jurisdiction of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, so they would be the agency to investigate the crash.
Having a police report can help with a car accident claim. Police reports contain information that attorneys use to conduct in-depth investigations of crashes. They can also be admissible evidence that the crash occurred. Without a police report, the other driver may deny being involved in an accident.
When the police arrive, stick to the facts as you give your statement. Do not make assumptions about fault. Avoid apologizing for the accident, which could be interpreted as an admission of fault.
The driver who caused the accident could be responsible for damages. If you are partially to blame for causing the accident, a court could reduce the money you receive under Missouri’s comparative fault laws. You should admit fault for the crash without speaking with an accident lawyer.
Reporting a Car Accident in Missouri to the Driver License Bureau
You must also file a Motor Vehicle Accident Report with the Driver License Bureau within 30 days after the accident. You cannot submit the police report to meet this requirement. Instead, you must use the form provided on the Department of Revenue’s website.
You must report a car accident to the Driver License Bureau if all the following criteria are true:
- The accident occurred in Missouri.
- The accident occurred within the past 12 months.
- Someone was injured or killed, or the crash caused more than $500 in damage.
- The driver involved in the accident did not have insurance.
If an uninsured driver is involved, you can file the report even though there is no personal injury or more than $500 in property damage. The Department must confirm the driver did not have insurance and issue a Notice of Suspension to the uninsured driver.
Filing this report is required if the criteria are met. It can also help you if you need to file an uninsured motorist insurance claim with your insurance provider. The police report proves the accident occurred, and the Notice of Suspension confirms that the other driver did not have the required liability insurance coverage.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Car Accident in St. Louis, MO?
You must prove the other driver caused the accident to recover damages. Once you prove your case, you can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses and bills
- Loss of enjoyment of life and quality of life
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Lost wages and benefits
- Impairments and disabilities
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering damages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
The value of your damages depends on the circumstances of your case. The severity of your injuries may affect how much your case is worth. However, your percentage of fault for causing the accident and the availability of insurance coverage could also impact a settlement amount.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in St. Louis, MO
If you’ve been injured, please contact the attorneys at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation, we proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County and Boone County and we have offices in St. Louis, Ladue, Columbia, Creve Coeur.
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
1430 Washington Ave Ste 225
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 444-4444
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Ladue Office
9807 S 40 Dr
St. Louis, MO 63124
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Columbia Office
28 N 8th St # 502
Columbia, MO 65201
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Creve Coeur Office
999 Executive Pkwy Dr #205
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
