Car accident.
Now what.
Missouri sees more than 165,000 traffic crashes each year. If you were hurt in one, the next ten days matter — for your medical care, your insurance claim, and the value of your case. We've represented Missouri drivers, passengers, and pedestrians for forty-nine years. Call us today for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover for you.
What to do
right now.
If you're reading this within a day or two of your crash, here's the priority order.
See a doctor — even if you feel okay
Adrenaline masks injury. Whiplash, concussion, and back damage often surface 24–72 hours later. A medical record from the day of the crash is vital — gaps give insurance carriers ammunition to argue you weren't really hurt.
Get the police report number
If law enforcement responded, they generated a report. The report number lets us pull the report, the diagram, the officer's findings, and any 911 audio. We can also reach the responding officer before their memory fades.
Photograph everything you still can
Both vehicles, all damage angles, the scene from multiple distances, skid marks, traffic signs, traffic signals, weather, lighting, and your visible injuries. The scene is the strongest evidence you'll ever have. If you can't return today, we'll send an investigator.
Don't talk to the other driver's insurance
Their job is to limit liability. Yours is to protect your case. The adjuster may call within hours, sound friendly, ask "just a few questions" — and use whatever you say. Politely decline to give a recorded statement. Refer them to your attorney.
Call David Naumann & Associates.
A free 20-minute conversation tells us what your case is worth, what to do in the next 48 hours, and whether you need a lawyer at all. The first call costs nothing. Waiting almost always does.
Eight common
collision scenarios.
Each type of crash has its own evidence, its own legal theories, and its own typical defenses. Here are the cases we see most often.
Rear-end collisions
The following driver is presumed at fault under Missouri's "duty to maintain safe distance" rule. Common injuries: whiplash, herniated disc, concussion.
Intersection wrecks
T-bone and left-turn crashes. Liability often turns on signal evidence and witness statements. Camera footage is crucial.
Hit-and-run
If the other driver fled, your own uninsured motorist coverage steps in. Missouri requires UM coverage of at least $25,000 per person.
Distracted driving
Texting, phone use, eating, navigation. Missouri's hands-free law took effect in 2023. Cellphone records are subpoenable.
Drunk driving (DWI)
When the at-fault driver was intoxicated, punitive damages may apply. Missouri also allows dram shop claims against bars in certain circumstances (RSMo §537.053).
Highway crashes
I-270, I-170, I-44, I-64, I-70, I-55, Highway 40, Highway 367, Highway 67. High-speed collisions = catastrophic injury. Often involve commercial vehicles.
Multi-car pileups
Apportioning fault among 3+ drivers requires reconstruction expert. Missouri's pure comparative fault rule (RSMo §537.765) lets you recover even if partly at fault.
Rideshare crashes
Uber and Lyft maintain $1M liability policies that cover passengers. Whether the policy applies depends on whether the app was active.
How insurers
value your case.
There is no formula — but there is a structure. Most Missouri car accident settlements include four buckets.
Medical Expenses
ER, ambulance, imaging, surgery, physical therapy, chiropractic, prescriptions — past and future. We collect the bills and project future treatment costs with medical expert.
Lost Income
Wages missed during recovery, plus lost earning capacity if your injuries permanently affect your ability to work. We pull pay stubs, tax returns, and may use a vocational expert.
Property Damage
Vehicle repair or replacement, plus diminished value (a wrecked-and-fixed car is worth less than one that was never wrecked). Diminution is often overlooked.
Pain & Suffering
Physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring, disfigurement. Missouri has no cap on non-economic damages in standard injury cases (Watts v. Cox, 2012).
Missouri car accident
FAQ.
The questions every Missouri crash victim should know the answer to.
How much is a car accident case worth in Missouri?
It depends on the severity of injuries, treatment required, lost wages, comparative-fault questions, and — often the biggest single constraint — how much liability insurance the at-fault driver carries plus your own UM/UIM coverage. No lawyer can give you a meaningful number without reviewing the records and the policies. Every case is different and past results do not predict future outcomes.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Five years from the date of the accident under RSMo §516.120. But waiting is dangerous — evidence vanishes, witnesses move, and insurance carriers know how to use delay against you. Call promptly.
Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company?
No. Their adjuster's job is to limit what their company pays. Even casual statements can be twisted. Call us first — we handle communications with the carrier so you don't have to.
What if I was partly at fault?
Missouri uses pure comparative fault (RSMo §537.765). Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault but never barred. A plaintiff 30% at fault on a $100,000 case still gets $70,000.
What if the other driver had no insurance?
Your own auto policy's uninsured motorist (UM) coverage steps in. Missouri requires UM coverage of at least $25,000 per person. We can also pursue the at-fault driver personally — though recovery beyond their assets is rare.