Car accidents are traumatic experiences, especially when they result in serious injuries. The distress of an accident often continues long after the crash when involved motorists must navigate Missouri’s fault-based insurance system to obtain compensation for their damages from the driver who caused the accident. One of the first necessary steps in pursuing a Kansas City car accident claim is obtaining a copy of the Missouri accident report.
When Does a Missouri Car Accident Require an Accident Report?
Many Missouri drivers wonder what differentiates an accident from a fender-bender. According to Missouri Law, the state requires an accident report under the following circumstances:
- If any injuries or fatalities occurred
- If the property damage exceeds $500 in repair costs
- If damage occurs to a parked car and the car’s owner isn’t available
- If an involved driver is uninsured
In some cases, a Missouri driver’s insurance policy may request the policyholder to file a police report even if the motorist believes the damage is minor and under $500 in repair costs with no injuries.
How Do I Get a Copy of My Car Accident Report In Missouri?
Missouri car accident reports are typically generated by the police who arrive at the scene and radio the information into their headquarters. If the accident caused under $500 in damages and there were no injuries, so no police were at the scene, but an insurance company requires an accident report, an involved driver must report the accident within 30 days. It’s always to an accident victim’s benefit to file a police report as soon as possible if the police do not attend the accident scene. Here’s what to know about acquiring a copy of a crash report in Missouri:
- Preliminary accident reports are available online at the Missouri State Highway Patrol website for 29 days after the accident date, but it typically takes about 10 days for the complete report to become available
- Involved parties may request an accident report by contacting their local state trooper’s office or the office in the municipality where the accident occurred
- Non-injury crash investigations do not generate an accident report, so involved drivers must report the accident within 30 days to obtain a report, and the report isn’t available through the state trooper website. Instead, to request a report, call the patrol’s traffic division at (573) 526-6113
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Car Accident Reports
After an accident, it’s common for injury victims to have questions about how the accident report process works and how it helps their compensation claim for damages.
Is an Accident Report Available to the Public?
All information collected in an accident is on open record and available to the public. Those involved cannot hide any aspect of the accident investigation or the information on the report, which is conveyed by officers directly from the scene.
What If There Are Errors In the Report?
If it appears that inaccurate information has been included in the report, you can contact the troop headquarters of the highway patrol division of the officer who investigated the accident.
Can’t Highway Patrol Email Me a Copy of the Report?
Missouri Highway Patrol does not email copies of accident reports directly to accident victims.
How Does the Accident Report Help My Car Accident Compensation Claim in Missouri?
Missouri is a fault-based car accident insurance state that requires those seeking compensation for damages like property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering to prove the other driver’s liability to recover compensation from their insurance. The accident report becomes key evidence in your claim and may be used by your Kansas City personal injury lawyer to pursue damages on your behalf.