After a car crash in Missouri, it’s vital that you fulfill your obligations such as trading info with the other driver and filing a police report.

Many people are unaware of their legal duties and responsibilities after a car accident. As a driver in Missouri, it’s critical that you understand the laws governing collisions so you can be prepared if one occurs.

In this article, we’ll explore your legal obligations after an accident. You can also read Chapter 300 of the Missouri Motor Vehicle Code to learn more about what you should do.

1. Missouri Driver Exchange of Information Law

Under Missouri law, if you get into an accident resulting in injury, death, or even just property damage, you must stop immediately. You must provide your name, address, vehicle registration or license number, and driver’s license number to the other party or a police officer.

A person commits the offense of leaving the scene of an accident when the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or damage to property of another person leaves the place of the injury, damage or accident without stopping and giving the following information to the other party or to a law enforcement officer:

• His or her name;
• His or her residence, including city and street number;
• The registration or license number for his or her vehicle; and
• His or her operator’s license number, if any.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 577.060

2. Missouri Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid

In Missouri, you do not have a legal duty to provide assistance to people who were injured in a car crash. However, you must stop at the scene and at least exchange information with the other driver.

A person commits the offense of leaving the scene of an accident when the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or damage to property of another person leaves the place of the injury, damage or accident without stopping and giving the following information to the other party or to a law enforcement officer:

• His or her name;
• His or her residence, including city and street number;
• The registration or license number for his or her vehicle; and
• His or her operator’s license number, if any.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 577.060

3. Missouri Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police

According to Missouri law, if you are involved in an accident that results in injury, death, or property damage of at least $500, you must report the incident to the local police as soon as possible. If the driver is physically incapable of notifying the police, a passenger must do so.

Additionally, you must send a written report to the police within five days if a police officer did not investigate the crash. If the driver did not own the vehicle involved in the crash and cannot file a report due to incapacity, the owner of the vehicle must submit one.

The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident within the city resulting in injury or death or total property damage to an apparent extent of five hundred dollars or more to one person shall give, or cause to be given, notice of such accident to the police department as soon as reasonably possible.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 300.110

The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury or death or total property damage to an apparent extent of five hundred dollars or more to one person shall, within five days after such accident, forward a written report of such accident to the police department.

The provisions of this section shall not be applicable when the accident has been investigated at the scene by a police officer while such driver was present thereat.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 300.115

Whenever the driver of a vehicle is physically incapable of giving immediate notice of an accident and there was another occupant in the vehicle at the time of the accident capable of doing so, such occupant shall give, or cause to be given, the notice not given by the driver.

Whenever the driver is physically incapable of making a written report of an accident and such driver is not the owner of the vehicle, then the owner of the vehicle shall within five days after the accident make such report not made by the driver.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 300.120

What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Missouri?

If you fail to provide your information to another party or a police officer at the scene of an accident, you can be convicted of the crime of “leaving the scene of an accident.” This offense is a Class A misdemeanor but can be prosecuted as a felony if someone was injured or killed, or if the accident caused more than $1,000 of damage to someone else’s property.

The offense of leaving the scene of an accident is:

• A class A misdemeanor;
• A class E felony if physical injury was caused to another party, damage in excess of one thousand dollars was caused to the property of another person, the defendant has previously been found guilty of any offense in violation of this section;
• A class D felony if a death has occurred as a result of the accident.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 577.060

4. Missouri Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty

After a car accident in Missouri that causes property damage, you have an obligation to stop immediately, even if there are no injuries. You also must remain at the scene and exchange information with the other party or a law enforcement officer.

A person commits the offense of leaving the scene of an accident when the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to property of another person leaves the place of the damage or accident without stopping and giving the following information to the other party or to a law enforcement officer:

• His or her name;
• His or her residence, including city and street number;
• The registration or license number for his or her vehicle; and
• His or her operator’s license number, if any.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 577.060

5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Missouri?

When you hit and damage a parked car in Missouri, you must swap information with the owner. If you cannot locate the owner, you can fulfill your duty by giving your personal details to the police.

A person commits the offense of leaving the scene of an accident when the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to property of another person leaves the place of the damage or accident without stopping and giving the following information to the other party or to a law enforcement officer:

• His or her name;
• His or her residence, including city and street number;
• The registration or license number for his or her vehicle; and
• His or her operator’s license number, if any.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 577.060

Failing to abide by your legal duties after a Missouri crash can lead to serious consequences, including criminal charges. For this reason, it’s essential that you know and perform your responsibilities if you get into an accident.