Being in a car accident is a jarring experience, but taking the right steps can protect your health, legal rights, and financial interests. At UB Law Firm, we specialize in helping victims of car and truck accidents navigate this difficult time. Below is your step-by-step guide on what to do after a collision, complete with helpful internal resources and legal insights.
1. Stay Off Social Media: Don’t Post Accident-Related Content
When insurance companies are investigating an accident, they will thoroughly review your social media activity. What you choose to post on Instagram, Facebook, or any other platform—photos, comments, updates—can be used against you. That’s why we strongly recommend not posting any information, images, or opinions related to your accident. Protect yourself by staying offline when it comes to your case.
2. Ensure Safety and Check for Injuries
Your first priority after a crash should be safety. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If anyone appears hurt or unresponsive, call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s important to request a medical evaluation—some symptoms, such as those from soft tissue damage or brain injuries, may not surface right away. Delayed treatment can jeopardize both your health and any legal claim you may pursue.
Common Car and Truck Accident Injuries
Motor vehicle collisions can cause a wide range of injuries, many of which may not be obvious at the scene:
- Whiplash and neck strain
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal injuries and herniated discs
- Fractures and broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Psychological trauma
Truck accidents, in particular, often cause more catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight disparity between a commercial vehicle and a passenger car. These injuries may require extended hospitalization, surgeries, or lifelong medical care. Visit our Truck Accidents page to learn more.
3. Contact Law Enforcement
Always call the police, especially if there are injuries or major vehicle damage. A police report will serve as an official record of the incident, which is crucial for insurance claims and any future legal actions. If you're unsure which law enforcement agency to contact, refer to this comprehensive directory of Missouri police and sheriff departments provided by the Missouri Attorney General.
Learn more about the importance of police reports and legal support after a crash on our Car Accidents page.
4. Exchange Information with Other Parties
After ensuring everyone's safety and contacting law enforcement, you are legally required to remain at the scene and exchange specific information with the other driver(s). This includes:
- Full names, phone numbers, and addresses
- Driver’s license numbers
- License plate numbers
- Insurance provider names and policy numbers
- Make, model, and color of each vehicle involved
Legal Obligation to Stay at the Scene
Leaving the scene of an accident may be a crime under Missouri law. According to Mo. Rev. Stat. § 577.060, it is unlawful to leave the site of a crash—especially one involving injury, death, or property damage—without providing your information or reporting the incident to the proper authorities.
Violating this statute can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the severity of the accident and whether injuries were involved. Even if you think the damage is minor, do not drive away.
5. Document the Accident Scene
Use your phone to photograph:
- All vehicles and damage
- Skid marks, road signs, and traffic signals
- Injuries, if visible
- The surrounding area, including weather and lighting conditions
This documentation may prove critical later on.
6. Notify Your Insurance Company
Promptly notify your insurer, but remember to speak carefully. Insurance companies often prioritize their bottom line. To better understand what your auto policy covers, visit our guide on Dealing with Insurance Companies.
7. Seek Medical Evaluation
Injuries may not surface right away. Get a full medical exam even if you feel fine. Medical documentation not only protects your health—it strengthens your legal claim.
8. Consult with a Car Accident Lawyer
At UB Law Firm, our legal team is devoted exclusively to car and truck accident cases. We have deep experience helping victims of rear-end collisions, commercial truck crashes, uninsured motorist incidents, and more. As seasoned Missouri car accident lawyers, we:
- Investigate the accident thoroughly
- Collect and preserve evidence
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Calculate your full financial and emotional losses
- File lawsuits when necessary to recover fair compensation
Don’t face this process alone. Contact us today for a free consultation with a dedicated accident attorney.
9. Keep Detailed Records: Building the Foundation for Your Case
Thorough recordkeeping is not just helpful—it’s the foundation of a successful car or trucking accident claim. At UB Law Firm, we emphasize the critical role of documentation in establishing liability, causation, and damages.
Start With a Timeline and a Provider List
After a wreck, it’s essential to identify every medical provider who treated you. This includes emergency rooms, primary care physicians, specialists, chiropractors, physical therapists, imaging centers, and mental health professionals. Missing even one provider can undermine your ability to recover compensation for your full range of injuries and may leave crucial medical records out of your case.
Types of Documentation That Matter
Maintain a comprehensive file including:
- Medical records and bills
- Insurance documents
- Invoices and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses
- Police and crash reports
- Vehicle repair estimates and valuations
- Photos and videos
- Employment records
Medical Bills and the “Actual Cost” Rule
In Missouri, your right to recover medical expenses is governed by V.A.M.S. § 490.715.5. Only the “actual cost” of care is recoverable—defined as the amount paid (or still owed) after insurance adjustments, write-offs, and discounts.
Additionally, you can seek future medical expenses if your physician provides expert opinion that treatment may be needed—even if it's not certain.
Evidence to Support Liability and Causation
To win your claim, your records must support how the accident occurred and link the crash to your injuries. This includes:
- Stopping distances and reaction times
- Rules of the road and ordinances
- Expert testimony and accident reconstruction
- Sudden-onset injuries
We understand the full evidentiary landscape and know how to build a compelling case from the ground up. Talk to our car and truck accident lawyers today
10. Understand Your Legal Rights
If you’re the victim of a car or trucking accident, Missouri law entitles you to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. This includes:
Actual Damages
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses (even if reimbursed by another source, per Missouri’s collateral source rule)
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
Special Damages and Emotional Distress
You may recover damages for unique harms or emotional trauma—especially if you witnessed another’s injury or death. These claims must be supported by medical evidence.
Parental and Future Medical Claims
Parents can claim damages for medical bills and lost income caused by a child’s injuries. You may also recover for future medical expenses, even if those treatments are not certain to occur, as long as expert testimony supports them.
Vicarious Liability and Employer Responsibility
If the at-fault driver was working at the time, their employer may be liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior. We help identify all responsible parties—including businesses and commercial carriers—to maximize your recovery.
For a full evaluation of your rights, visit our Truck Accident or Contact pages.
11. Know the Timeline for Filing a Claim
Missouri has strict time limits for filing car accident and personal injury claims. Missing a deadline can mean losing your right to compensation. Visit our Legal Resources section for more information.
12. Understand the Role of Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If the at-fault driver lacks insurance, your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply. But recovering full compensation still requires legal strategy. See our Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers guide.
Let UB Law Firm Help You Recover
We’re not just personal injury lawyers—we are car and truck accident specialists. Whether you were sideswiped on the highway or rear-ended in a parking lot, we understand how to build strong, evidence-based cases that maximize your recovery. Contact us today to get started on the path toward justice and peace of mind.
