A car accident can happen in a split second. One moment you are driving to work or picking up your kids, and the next you are sitting in a damaged vehicle, shaken and unsure of what to do. The steps you take in the minutes, hours, and days after a crash can make or break your ability to recover fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
If you have been hurt in a car accident in Springfield or anywhere in Southwest Missouri, contact The Law Office of Chad G. Mann for a free consultation. Call (417) 842-8679 to speak directly with an attorney about your case.
This guide walks you through every step of the process, from the moment of impact through filing your claim and protecting your legal rights under Missouri law. Unlike the advice you will find from insurance companies, this guide is written from the perspective of someone who fights for accident victims every day.
At the Scene: The First 10 Minutes Matter
What you do at the accident scene sets the foundation for everything that follows. Staying calm is easier said than done, but the actions you take right now directly affect your safety and your legal options.
Check for injuries and call 911
Before you do anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, request emergency medical services. Many car accident injuries, including whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding, do not show symptoms right away. A delayed diagnosis of closed head trauma from a car accident is common and can be dangerous if left untreated.
In Missouri, you are required to call the police if an accident involves any injury, a death, or property damage exceeding $500. Given that most accidents exceed that threshold, calling 911 is almost always the right call.
Move to safety if you can
If your vehicle is drivable and you are not seriously injured, move it to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot to avoid blocking traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. If the car cannot be moved, stay inside with your seatbelt on until help arrives, especially on highways or busy roads.
Exchange information with the other driver
Get the following from every driver involved:
- Full name and contact information
- Insurance company name and policy number
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- Vehicle make, model, and color
If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers too. Witness statements can be valuable evidence if there is a dispute about what happened.
Document the scene with photos
Use your phone to take photos of everything:
- Damage to all vehicles involved (close-up and wide shots)
- The position of the vehicles in the road
- Skid marks, debris, and road conditions
- Traffic signs, signals, and road markings near the scene
- Your injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling)
- Weather and lighting conditions
Take more photos than you think you need. Digital storage is free, and these images become critical evidence when insurance companies dispute the severity of the accident.
Do not admit fault
This is one of the most important rules. Do not say “I’m sorry” or “It was my fault” to anyone at the scene, even if you feel partially responsible. Under Missouri’s comparative fault rules, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. An offhand apology can be used against you later by insurance adjusters or defense attorneys.
Stick to the facts when speaking with the police. Describe what happened without speculating about who caused the crash.
The First 24 Hours After Your Accident
Once you have left the scene, there are several time-sensitive steps to take. Do not wait on any of these.
See a doctor, even if you feel fine
Adrenaline masks pain. Many accident victims feel “okay” immediately after a crash, only to wake up the next morning unable to move. Whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and mild traumatic brain injuries can take hours or days to produce noticeable symptoms.
Seeing a doctor within 24 hours creates a medical record that links your injuries to the accident. If you wait weeks to seek treatment, the insurance company will argue that your injuries were not caused by the crash or are not as serious as you claim.
Get a copy of the police report
The officers who responded to your accident will file a report, usually within a few days. In Springfield, you can request a copy from the Springfield Police Department. For accidents on state highways, contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol. This report contains the officer’s observations, witness statements, and sometimes an initial determination of fault.
File Missouri Form 1140
Missouri law requires drivers involved in accidents that cause injury, death, or property damage over $500 to file a Motor Vehicle Accident Report (Form 1140) with the Missouri Department of Revenue within 30 days. Many drivers do not know about this requirement, and missing the deadline can create problems with your insurance coverage.
Notify your insurance company
Report the accident to your insurance company promptly, but be careful about what you say. Provide the basic facts: when, where, and who was involved. Do not give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offers at this stage. Read our guide on filing an insurance claim after your accident for a detailed walkthrough.
Tip: You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Politely decline and tell them your attorney will be in touch.
What to Do in the First Week
The first week is when your case starts to take shape. The evidence you gather and the decisions you make now will determine how strong your claim is months down the road.
Follow your doctor’s treatment plan
Go to every appointment. Fill every prescription. Follow every recommendation. Insurance companies look for gaps in treatment to argue that you were not really hurt. If your doctor refers you to a specialist, go.
Keep a daily injury journal
Write down how you feel each day. Note your pain level, what activities you cannot do, how your sleep is affected, and any emotional changes like anxiety or difficulty concentrating. This journal becomes evidence of your non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, which can represent a significant part of your claim.
Preserve all evidence
Keep everything related to the accident in one place:
- Medical bills and receipts
- Pay stubs showing lost wages
- Repair estimates and rental car receipts
- Correspondence with insurance companies
- Photos and the police report
Do not repair or dispose of your vehicle until your attorney and insurance company have had a chance to inspect it.
Consider contacting a car accident attorney
There are certain situations where legal representation is not just helpful but necessary. If any of the following apply to your case, you should speak with an attorney sooner rather than later:
- You suffered injuries requiring medical treatment beyond a single ER visit
- The other driver was uninsured or underinsured
- The insurance company is disputing fault or denying your claim
- You are being pressured to give a recorded statement
- Your medical bills are mounting and you are missing work
- The accident involved a commercial truck, rideshare vehicle, or government vehicle
Read more about the signs you need a personal injury attorney to decide if your situation calls for legal help.
Have questions about your car accident? Call (417) 842-8679 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with Springfield auto accident injury attorney Chad G. Mann. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
How Missouri Car Accident Laws Affect Your Claim
Missouri has several laws that directly impact how car accident claims work. Understanding these laws helps you avoid costly mistakes and sets realistic expectations for your case.
Missouri is an at-fault state
Missouri uses an at-fault system for car accidents. This means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying the other party’s medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. You have three options for pursuing compensation:
- File a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- File a claim with your own insurance and let them seek reimbursement
- File a personal injury lawsuit in court
Pure comparative fault can reduce your payout
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault standard. If you share some of the blame for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovering. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault on a $100,000 claim, you would receive $80,000.
This is more generous than many other states that cut off recovery entirely if you are more than 50% at fault. However, insurance adjusters will try to assign you as much fault as possible to reduce what they owe. That is one reason documentation and witness statements are so important.
You have five years to file a lawsuit
The Missouri statute of limitations for injury claims gives you five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or property damage lawsuit (Mo. Rev. Stat. 516.120). Wrongful death claims have a three-year deadline.
While five years sounds like plenty of time, waiting too long weakens your case. Witnesses forget details. Surveillance footage gets deleted. Medical records become harder to connect to the accident. The sooner you act, the stronger your position.
Minimum insurance may not cover your losses
Missouri requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, plus $25,000 in property damage coverage. For serious accidents involving hospital stays, surgery, or long-term treatment, these minimums are often not enough.
Missouri law also requires every liability policy to include uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. If the driver who hit you has no insurance or not enough insurance, your own UM/UIM policy can fill the gap.
Dealing with Insurance Companies After Your Accident
Insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is to pay as little as possible on every claim. Here is what you should know about dealing with them.
Watch out for quick settlement offers
It is common for an insurance adjuster to call within days of your accident with a settlement offer. These early offers are almost always far below what your claim is worth. The adjuster knows that you have medical bills piling up and may be desperate for cash. That pressure is by design.
Before accepting any offer, you need to understand the full extent of your injuries and losses. Some injuries take weeks or months to fully diagnose and treat. Accepting an early settlement means you cannot go back and ask for more money later, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than you initially thought.
Be careful with recorded statements
The other driver’s insurance company may ask you to provide a recorded statement. You are not legally required to do so. These statements are used to find inconsistencies or admissions that can be used to reduce or deny your claim. If you are asked for a recorded statement, it is best to consult with an insurance claim lawyer before agreeing.
Do not sign a blanket medical release
Insurance companies sometimes ask you to sign a medical authorization that gives them access to your entire medical history. They use this to look for pre-existing conditions they can blame for your current symptoms. Only authorize the release of records directly related to your accident injuries.
Keep records of all communication
Save every letter, email, and text message from the insurance company. Write down the date, time, and summary of every phone call. If a dispute arises about what was said or offered, your records will protect you.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Car Accident?
Missouri law allows car accident victims to recover several types of damages, depending on the circumstances of the crash and the severity of the injuries.
Economic damages
These are the measurable financial losses tied to the accident:
- Medical bills (emergency room, surgery, physical therapy, medication, future treatment)
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Property damage (vehicle repair or replacement)
- Out-of-pocket expenses (rental car, transportation to medical appointments)
Non-economic damages
These compensate for losses that do not have a receipt:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
For a general sense of what cases like yours may be worth, see our breakdown of average car accident settlement amounts.
Punitive damages
In rare cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct (such as drunk driving), Missouri courts may award punitive damages. These are meant to punish the at-fault party and discourage similar behavior.
Common Mistakes That Hurt Missouri Car Accident Claims
After handling hundreds of car accident cases in Southwest Missouri, attorney Chad Mann sees the same mistakes over and over. Avoid these:
- Waiting too long to see a doctor. Even a 48-hour gap gives the insurance company ammunition to argue your injuries are not accident-related.
- Posting about the accident on social media. Insurance adjusters check Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. A photo of you at a family event can be used to argue you are not as hurt as you claim.
- Accepting the first settlement offer. Early offers rarely cover the full cost of treatment, especially when injuries require ongoing care.
- Not filing Form 1140. Missing this 30-day deadline can affect your insurance coverage and create complications in your claim.
- Giving a recorded statement without legal advice. What feels like a routine conversation can turn into a tool the insurance company uses against you.
- Neglecting to document everything. Memories fade. Without photos, a journal, and organized records, your word against the insurance company is a losing position.
- Settling before understanding your full damages. Some injuries, like whiplash, can require months of treatment. Settling too early locks you out of recovering those future costs.
When Your Accident Involves Special Circumstances
Not every accident is a straightforward two-car collision. Some situations create additional legal complexity:
- Truck accidents: Crashes involving commercial trucks bring federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and higher insurance limits into play. See our separate guide on what to do after a truck accident.
- Hit-and-run: Under Missouri law (RSMo 577.060), leaving the scene of an accident is a crime. If the other driver fled, file a police report immediately and file a claim under your UM coverage.
- Uninsured drivers: If the at-fault driver has no insurance, your UM/UIM policy becomes your primary source of recovery. Missouri requires this coverage on every auto liability policy.
- Government vehicles: Accidents involving city, county, or state vehicles have strict notice requirements. You may have as little as 90 days to file a claim.
- Rideshare accidents: Uber and Lyft accidents involve layered insurance policies that depend on whether the driver was on a trip, waiting for a ride request, or offline.
Dealing with a complicated car accident case? Schedule a free consultation with The Law Office of Chad G. Mann. We handle car accident cases across Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Republic, and all of Southwest Missouri. Call (417) 842-8679.
Why Working with a Local Springfield Attorney Matters
Car accident cases in Greene County and the surrounding area have their own patterns. Local courts, local insurance adjusters, and local medical providers all play a role in how your case moves forward. An attorney who works in Southwest Missouri every day understands these dynamics in a way that an out-of-town firm or a national legal referral service cannot match.
At The Law Office of Chad G. Mann, every client works directly with attorney Chad Mann from start to finish. There is no hand-off to paralegals or case managers. Before opening his own firm, Chad worked with major insurance carriers, giving him first-hand knowledge of how adjusters evaluate claims, set reserves, and make settlement decisions. That insider perspective benefits every client we represent.
The firm operates on a contingency fee basis at a 30% rate, which is lower than the 33-40% many other firms charge. You pay nothing upfront, and we cover all case costs until your case is resolved. If we do not recover compensation, you owe nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing I should do after a car accident?
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call 911 to report the accident and request medical help if anyone is hurt. Missouri law requires you to report accidents involving injury or property damage over $500 to the police.
Should I file an insurance claim if the accident was not my fault?
Yes. Notify your own insurance company about the accident, even if the other driver was entirely at fault. Your insurer needs to know about the incident. However, be cautious when speaking with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You are not required to give them a recorded statement.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Missouri?
Missouri gives you five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or property damage lawsuit. Wrongful death claims must be filed within three years. While these deadlines may seem far away, starting the process early protects your evidence and strengthens your claim.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
Missouri requires every auto liability policy to include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. If the at-fault driver has no insurance, you can file a claim under your own UM policy. This coverage also applies in hit-and-run situations where the other driver cannot be identified.
How much is my car accident case worth?
Every case is different. The value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost income, and the impact on your daily life. Minor fender-bender claims may settle for a few thousand dollars, while serious injury cases can result in six-figure or even seven-figure recoveries. The Law Office of Chad G. Mann secured a $12 million wrongful death verdict in 2024, the second-largest judgment in Missouri that year.
Do I need a lawyer for a minor car accident?
Not every accident requires an attorney. If your injuries are minor, treatment is complete, and the insurance company is offering a fair amount, you may be able to handle the claim yourself. But if you are unsure whether an offer is fair, a free consultation costs nothing and can give you clarity about your options.
Take the Next Step to Protect Your Rights
A car accident does not have to derail your life. By taking the right steps, from documenting the scene to getting medical care to understanding your legal options, you put yourself in the strongest position to recover what you are owed.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Springfield or Southwest Missouri, The Law Office of Chad G. Mann is here to help. Attorney Chad Mann has the experience, the insurance industry knowledge, and the track record to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Call (417) 842-8679 or visit our office in Springfield. There is no fee unless we win your case.
