Ryan Bradley | September 8, 2025 | Car Accident \ Missouri Law
Key Takeaways:
- Missouri requires reports for injuries or $500+ in damage. Call the police immediately at the scene and file Form 1140 with the Missouri Department of Revenue within 30 days.
- Missing reporting deadlines has serious consequences. If you don’t file a report on time, you could face license suspension, fines, and insurance problems.
- Accurate reporting and legal expertise can be vital for your case. An attorney can review reports for errors before filing to ensure documentation supports rather than undermines your car accident claim.
You’re driving down Highway 40 after work when traffic suddenly stops in front of you. Despite slamming on the brakes, the car is still moving, and you end up rear-ending someone. Both vehicles have damage, but no one seems seriously hurt. The other driver is keen to exchange information and “handle this without insurance.”
You’re standing there with your phone in your hand, shaken up from the accident and wondering: do I need to call the police? What about filing a report?
Missouri has specific rules about when and how to report accidents. Making the wrong decisions after a Missouri car accident can potentially sink your insurance claim or legal case and negatively affect your financial future for years to come.
Learn about Missouri car accident reporting requirements and how you can protect yourself after a crash.
Do You Have to Report a Car Accident in Missouri?
The short answer is: it depends on the circumstances, but when in doubt, always report a crash. Missouri law under Missouri Revised Statutes § 303.040 requires accident reports in most situations, and the consequences of not reporting can be severe.
In a nutshell, you must report an accident in Missouri if
- Someone was injured or killed
OR
- The accident involved an uninsured driver
OR
- Property damage exceeds $500 to any one person
Consider that $500 of property damage is a pretty low threshold these days, as even fixing a deep scratch can cost more. And that small dent you barely notice could involve expensive sensors or hidden structural damage that won’t be apparent until a mechanic takes a good look.
The tricky part is making this judgment call at the accident scene when you’re stressed and possibly injured. So if there’s any doubt about whether you should report, simply err on the side of reporting. The consequences of not reporting could far outweigh the inconvenience of filing paperwork you may not have needed to file.
Reporting Requirements At A Glance
| Accident Type | Police Required? | Form 1140 Required? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injury/Death | Yes (immediately) | Yes | 30 days |
| Property damage $500+ | Yes (immediately) | Yes | 30 days |
| Uninsured driver involved | Yes (immediately) | Yes | 30 days |
| Damage under $500, no injury | No | No | N/A |
Missouri’s Legal Requirements for Accident Reports
Understanding Missouri crash report requirements is essential when you’re involved in a collision. Accident reporting in Missouri involves two separate obligations: calling police to the scene and filing a written report with the Missouri Department of Revenue. These are different legal requirements with different deadlines, and you might need to do both:
- Police report requirements kick in when there’s injury, death, or significant property damage. Police reports are written up by officers attending the accident scene. They create an official record of what happened and typically include the officer’s assessment of fault. This report can be crucial evidence if insurance companies disagree about who caused the accident.
- State reporting requirements under Missouri Revised Statute 303.040 include filing a written report with the Department of Revenue when accidents involve injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage. You have to file this report with Form 1140 within 30 days.
When Do You Need to Call the Police After a Crash?
Knowing when to call the police after a Missouri car accident can be confusing, but there are some situations where it’s legally required. In other accident scenarios, you may not be required to call the police, but getting law enforcement involved can be smart protection.
Call the police when:
- Anyone is injured
- Someone was killed
- A driver appears impaired
- Property damage looks like it exceeds $500
- A driver doesn’t have insurance
- Anyone involved is acting aggressively or threatening
Consider calling the police even when not legally required if:
- The other driver’s story about what happened doesn’t match yours
- You suspect the other driver might be uninsured despite showing you a card
- There are disputes about who had the right of way or what the traffic signals showed
- Weather or road conditions contributed to the accident
Remember, you only get one chance: you must call officers to the scene immediately while you’re still at the accident location. Once everyone leaves the scene, police typically won’t respond to create a report.
At Bradley Law, we’ve seen cases where clients wished they’d called the police but didn’t, only to face insurance companies that refused to accept their version of events and denied their claims months later. Don’t make the same mistake.
Missouri Car Accident Police Report Time – How Long Do You Have?
Understanding the Missouri car accident police report time requirements can be confusing because there are various timelines depending on what type of report you’re filing.
If the Missouri Highway Patrol responds to your accident scene, they’ll usually complete their report within ten days. Ask the officer about the report number and how to obtain copies, because you’ll need them for insurance claims and a personal injury claim.
If law enforcement doesn’t attend the scene but your accident meets reporting requirements, you have only 30 days to file Form 1140 with the Missouri Department of Revenue. This deadline is strict, and missing it can result in consequences. Even if police respond to the scene, you might still need to file your own report with the Department of Revenue. Police reports generally don’t replace your obligation to file the Missouri accident report form.
At Bradley Law, we always advise clients to confirm their reporting obligations rather than assume someone else handled it all.
How Do You File Form 1140 with Missouri’s Department of Revenue?
The Missouri DOR accident report, officially called Form 1140, is your written record of the crash submitted to the state. The information in the form can be used to determine fault and insurance compliance, especially in cases involving uninsured drivers. Form 1140 requires specific information, including:
- Date, time, and exact location of the collision
- Weather and road conditions
- Vehicle details, such as makes, models, years, license plates, and VINs
- All involved drivers’ contact information and insurance details
- Your detailed account of how the accident happened
- Details about any injuries sustained by anyone involved, even if minor
The tricky part about Form 1140 is that anything you write can be used against you later. Insurance companies and opposing attorneys may be scrutinizing every word, looking for admissions of fault or inconsistencies. At Bradley Law, we can review these forms for clients before they’re submitted to catch potential problems that could hurt their case later.
Speak With An Attorney About Your Case
What Happens If You Don’t File an Accident Report?
Missouri’s car accident laws take reporting seriously, and the consequences of failing to file a report are severe. The state can suspend your driver’s license for failing to file required reports, and getting it back requires filing the overdue Missouri accident report form plus paying reinstatement fees ranging from $20 to $200, according to the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Insurers may deny coverage if you didn’t follow legal reporting requirements or cancel policies and increase rates for drivers with suspended licenses. If you didn’t file a report, your legal case for damages could be severely weakened, because you’ll lack official documentation to support your case. Insurers may refuse a payout, arguing that someone who didn’t follow reporting laws might not be truthful about other accident details.
Why Reporting is Crucial for Your Insurance Claim
Proper accident reporting supports your insurance claim and potential legal case. Unfortunately, despite adjusters often appearing friendly and caring, they’ll look for anything they can use to deny or reduce your claim. Missing or incomplete reports provide an insurer with a convenient excuse to cheat you out of your claim or pay you less than you deserve.
Police reports provide neutral documentation of the accident scene. They also include statements from involved parties. Missouri’s accident reports ensure not only state law compliance but also create a permanent record that insurance companies can use to verify accident details.
At Bradley Law, we can review both police reports and DOR reports for errors that could hurt our clients’ cases. Officers sometimes make mistakes when determining fault, or they miss important details. An officer may even have recorded incorrect information in the heat of the moment.
How a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
The aftermath of an accident can be a blur. You might be dealing with medical treatments, issues from missing work, and replacing your damaged car. Working with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer can reduce stress and protect your rights.
Bradley Law brings specific experience to Missouri car accident cases that goes far beyond just knowing the reporting deadlines. Here’s our approach to accident reporting and documentation:
- Pre-submission report review. We can catch errors or problematic language before you file a report. Our experience tells us what insurance companies look for and how to present information in a way that cannot be misinterpreted and protects your interests.
- Compliance tracking. We can ensure all Missouri reporting requirements are met on time, avoiding license suspension and penalties that could complicate or even sink your legal case.
- Strategic litigation use. Bradley law can challenge incorrect information in reports and supplement incomplete records. We may even uncover errors that could change liability analysis in your favor.
- Insurance communication management. We handle all adjuster communications so you can focus on recovery without worrying about saying something that hurts your claim.
Our insurance defense background and litigation experience with Missouri car accident cases give us unique insight into how reports are used in court and by insurance companies. We can scour reports for discrepancies between the police version and witness statements that may become pivotal for your legal case. In litigation, we can use meticulously reviewed reports as evidence to build compelling cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Car Accident Reporting
Do you have to call the police after an accident in Missouri if no one is hurt?
You’re not legally required to call the police if no one is injured and property damage appears to be under $500. However, consider calling anyway, because damage estimates at the scene are frequently wrong. Police reports can be invaluable if disputes with other drivers arise later.
What happens if the other driver doesn’t want to call the police?
Don’t let another driver convince you to do something that may land you in hot water legally. If your accident meets Missouri’s reporting requirements, you should call the police regardless of what the other driver wants. Perhaps they have a reason not to involve the police, such as driving drunk or without insurance, which makes police attendance even more important.
Can I file a Missouri DOR accident report online?
Yes, Form 1140 can be submitted online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website, by mail, or in person at DOR offices. Online submission is fast and convenient. It also provides confirmation that your report was received. Make sure to keep copies of everything you submit for your records.
What if I discover additional damage or injuries after filing my Missouri car accident report?
If you discover additional damage or injuries, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue immediately to update your report. You should also notify your insurance company and consider consulting an attorney, especially if your injuries are more serious than initially thought.
Will filing an accident report make my insurance rates in Missouri go up?
While the filing of an accident report doesn’t directly cause auto insurance rate increases, the accident itself might, especially if you were at fault. However, failing to file required reports can result in license suspension, which will definitely increase your rates.
What if I’m partially at fault for the accident – should I still file a report?
Yes, you should still file all required reports even if you contributed to the accident. Missouri follows a comparative negligence system, which means you can still recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault. Failing to file the required reports can hurt your case either way.
Get Bradley Law’s Expertise Working for Your Case
If you’re injured in a Missouri car accident, proper legal guidance is essential if you don’t want to risk missing out on the compensation you need to get your life back on track.
Bradley Law has secured record-breaking multi-million-dollar recoveries against major insurance companies and regularly handles complex accident cases involving proper documentation strategies.
Don’t let Missouri’s complex car accident reporting requirements derail your case. We can review your accident, handle required filings to protect you, and build the strongest possible case using the strategies that have secured millions in recoveries for other Missouri accident victims. Get started now and contact us for a free case review.