What to Do After a Car Accident in Kansas City (Step by Step)

You just got hit. The airbags went off. Your hands are shaking. You are standing on the side of I-435 with cars flying past you at 70 miles per hour and you have no idea what to do next. Here is exactly what to do, in order, starting right now.

Step 1: 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 nobody seems seriously injured, call anyway. You need a police report. In Missouri, the responding officer creates an incident report that documents the scene, the positions of the vehicles, statements from both drivers, witness contact information, and the officer’s preliminary assessment of fault. In Kansas, the same applies. Without a police report, the insurance company has only your word against the other driver’s.

Do not move your vehicle unless it is creating a dangerous obstruction. Missouri law (RSMo 304.151) requires you to remain at the scene. Leaving before the police arrive can result in a hit-and-run charge, even if the accident was not your fault.

Step 2: Document Everything at the Scene

Your phone is the most important tool you have right now. Take photos of all vehicle damage from multiple angles. Photograph the entire intersection or stretch of road. Get pictures of traffic signals, stop signs, road conditions, skid marks, debris, and any weather conditions. Photograph the other driver’s license plate, insurance card, and driver’s license. Take photos of your own injuries, no matter how minor they look now.

Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. People who saw the accident happen are valuable. People who only saw the aftermath are less useful but still worth documenting.

Write down or record a voice memo describing exactly what happened while it is fresh in your mind. Details fade fast. By tomorrow, you will not remember whether the light was green or yellow when you entered the intersection.

Step 3: Do Not Admit Fault

This sounds obvious, but in the chaos after a crash, people say things they should not. “I’m sorry” and “I didn’t see you” are common reactions, and insurance adjusters will use them against you. Be polite, exchange information, and cooperate with the police. But do not tell the other driver, the police officer, or anyone else that the accident was your fault. Even if you think it might have been. Fault determination is complicated, and what you think happened at the scene may not be what actually happened once the evidence is reviewed.

In Missouri, even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages under pure comparative fault. In Kansas, you can recover as long as you are less than 50% at fault. Admitting fault at the scene can shift the percentage against you before anyone has reviewed the full evidence.

Step 4: See a Doctor Within 72 Hours

This is where most people make their biggest mistake. You feel okay at the scene because adrenaline masks pain. Two days later, your neck is so stiff you cannot turn your head. A week later, numbness starts running down your arm.

Soft tissue injuries, herniated discs, and concussions often have delayed symptoms. If you wait two weeks to see a doctor, the insurance company will argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident or were not serious enough to need medical attention. The gap between the accident and your first medical visit becomes the centerpiece of their defense.

Go to the emergency room if you have any head pain, dizziness, or numbness. Otherwise, see your primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic within 72 hours. Tell them you were in a car accident and describe every symptom, even minor ones. The medical record from this visit becomes the foundation of your injury claim.

Step 5: Do Not Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company

The other driver’s insurance adjuster will call you, sometimes within hours of the accident. They will be polite and sympathetic. They will ask you to give a recorded statement about what happened. They will ask how you are feeling. Everything you say in that conversation will be used to minimize your claim.

“I’m feeling okay” becomes evidence that you were not seriously hurt. Describing the accident in your own words, without legal guidance, often leaves out critical details or includes statements that can be taken out of context. The adjuster’s goal is to close your claim for as little money as possible. That is their job.

When they call, tell them you were in an accident, give them your name and phone number, and say you will have your attorney contact them. Nothing more.

Step 6: Report the Accident to Your Own Insurance

You are required to notify your own insurance company about the accident. This is different from giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance. Your policy requires timely notice. Failing to report the accident could give your own insurer grounds to deny coverage under your uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist policy, which you may need later.

When you report to your own insurer, stick to the basic facts: date, time, location, other driver’s information, and the police report number. Do not speculate about fault or give detailed descriptions of your injuries.

Step 7: Keep Records of Everything

Start a folder — physical or digital — for everything related to the accident. Police report, insurance correspondence, medical bills, pharmacy receipts, physical therapy records, tow truck receipts, rental car receipts, pay stubs showing missed work, and photos of your injuries as they heal.

If the accident affects your daily life, keep a brief journal. “Could not sleep because of back pain.” “Missed my daughter’s soccer game because I could not drive.” “Had to ask my neighbor to carry groceries because I cannot lift more than 10 pounds.” These entries become evidence of how the injury impacts your life beyond the medical bills.

Step 8: Call a Personal Injury Lawyer

If your injuries require more than one doctor visit, you should talk to a lawyer. The consultation is free. We review your case, explain your options, and give you an honest assessment of what your claim is worth. If you hire us, we handle all communication with the insurance companies, gather the evidence, negotiate the settlement, and take the case to trial if the insurance company will not pay a fair amount.

We handle car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, and all other personal injury cases across the Kansas City metro — both Missouri and Kansas sides.

Call 816-533-3969 for a free consultation. We charge nothing unless we win.