What to do after a car accident in Missouri
Every rule below is quoted from Missouri law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
Missouri is an at fault state, sometimes called a tort state. The driver who caused the crash, or that driver's insurance, has to pay for the other person's losses. Missouri tells drivers to contact police after any crash. Officers who investigate a crash that causes injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage must send a report to the Missouri State Highway Patrol within 10 days. A person hurt in a Missouri car crash generally has 5 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for their injuries.
Deadlines in Missouri
- 5 years
- to sue for injuriesRSMo 516.120(4)
- 5 years
- to sue for car or property damageRSMo 516.120(4)
- 3 years
- for a family to sue after a deathRSMo 537.100.1
- 90 days
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedRSMo 82.210
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
A driver in a Missouri crash must stop, help anyone who is hurt, contact police, and exchange name, address, license, and insurance information with everyone involved. Leaving without doing this is a crime.
“YOU MUST STOP if you are involved in an accident. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime. Help anyone who is hurt. Contact the police.”
When you must call the police
Missouri tells drivers to contact police after any crash. Officers who investigate a crash that causes injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage must send a report to the Missouri State Highway Patrol within 10 days.
“Every law enforcement officer who investigates a vehicle accident resulting in injury to or death of a person, or total property damage to an apparent extent of five hundred dollars”
Moving your car out of traffic
On a Missouri state highway, if a crash does not cause injury or death and the cars can still be driven, drivers must make a reasonable effort to move them out of the way of traffic. This is known as the Steer It, Clear It law.
“shall make every reasonable effort to move the vehicle or have it moved so as not to block the regular flow of traffic”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
If a Missouri crash involves an uninsured driver, or the reporting driver has no insurance, and it caused injury, death, or more than $500 in damage, the driver or owner must send a written report to the Missouri Department of Revenue within 30 days, using the Motor Vehicle Accident Report, Form 1140.
“shall, within thirty days after such accident, report the matter in writing to the director”
Getting a copy of the crash report
To get a copy of a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, request it online through the Patrol's records request portal. Basic reports cost $6 each, and a person must wait at least 10 days after the crash before the report is ready to request.
“the Missouri State Highway Patrol charges a $6.00 fee for each basic motor vehicle crash report”
Who pays for the damage
Missouri is an at fault state, sometimes called a tort state. The driver who caused the crash, or that driver's insurance, has to pay for the other person's losses.
“Automobile liability insurance protects you from paying a large amount of money at the time of an accident if the accident is your fault”
Insurance rules in Missouri
What insurance every driver must carry
Missouri drivers must carry liability insurance of at least $25,000 for one person's injuries, $50,000 total per accident for injuries, and $25,000 per accident for property damage. This is often written as 25/50/25.
“The minimum level of coverage required by state law is: $25,000 per person for bodily injury $50,000 per accident for bodily injury $25,000 per accident for property”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Missouri does not require drivers to carry personal injury protection, also called PIP. State law only requires liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage.
“Liability insurance covers your legal liability when injuries or property damage happen as a result of your actions.”
If the other driver has no insurance
Missouri law requires every auto liability insurance policy to include uninsured motorist coverage. The minimum amount is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries.
“The law also requires you to have uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident.”
Medical payments coverage
Missouri does not require insurance companies to offer or include medical payments coverage, sometimes called MedPay, on auto policies. It stays an optional coverage a driver can choose to add.
“No automobile liability insurance covering liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of any motor vehicle shall be delivered or issued for delivery in this state”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
To complain about an insurance company in Missouri, contact the Department of Commerce and Insurance's consumer hotline, or file a complaint online or by mail.
“The Division provides consumer information and investigates consumer complaints against insurance companies and producers for most types of insurance.”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
A person hurt in a Missouri car crash generally has 5 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for their injuries.
“An action for taking, detaining or injuring any goods or chattels, including actions for the recovery of specific personal property, or for any other injury to the person”
Deadline to sue for car damage
A person whose car or other property was damaged in a Missouri crash generally has 5 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.
“An action for taking, detaining or injuring any goods or chattels, including actions for the recovery of specific personal property, or for any other injury to the person”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
A family suing over a death caused by a Missouri car crash generally has 3 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
“Every action instituted under section 537.080 shall be commenced within three years after the cause of action shall accrue”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a crash involves a dangerous city street, sidewalk, or bridge in a Missouri city of 100,000 people or more, the injured person must send the mayor written notice within 90 days. Missouri does not have one single notice rule that covers every kind of government claim.
“notice shall first have been given in writing to the mayor of said city, within ninety days of the occurrence for which such damage is claimed”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- Missouri Dept. of Commerce and Insurance, Consumer Guide to Automobile Insurance
- RSMo Chapter 303, Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law, as summarized by Missouri Dept. of Revenue
- Missouri Dept. of Commerce and Insurance, Auto Insurance FAQs; general rule traces to Gustafson v. Benda, 661 S.W.2d 11 (Mo. banc 1983)
- RSMo 516.120(4)
- RSMo 537.100.1
- RSMo 82.210
- RSMo 43.250
- RSMo 303.040.1
- RSMo 379.203
- RSMo 577.060; Missouri Dept. of Revenue
- RSMo 304.151
- Missouri State Highway Patrol, Patrol Records Division
- Missouri Dept. of Commerce and Insurance, Division of Consumer Affairs
- Missouri Supreme Court Rule 4-1.5
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.