Missouri State Highway Patrol

What to Do If You’re in a Traffic Crash

Remember to Stay Calm!

  1. Offer assistance and give aid to the injured.
  2. Call the appropriate law enforcement agency immediately to report any traffic crash resulting in injury to any person or damage to any vehicle.
  3. If no personal injury is involved, vehicles should be moved to clear the roadway.
  4. Complete the information exchange with the other driver (see below).

At the Scene

On your way to work, the sound of squealing tires fills the air. Two cars try to occupy the same space. A few seconds later, your car lurches to a halt. You’ve been in a traffic crash. Traffic crashes are unplanned events. However, this brochure might help you plan how to react if you are in one.

If there are injured persons, but they are not in life-threatening situations, please leave them in the vehicle. Emergency personnel will have the proper equipment to assist them. If the situation warrants that you take measures to prevent death or further injury, take a moment to think of your own health and use proper equipment. You might plan for this by placing rubber gloves and a CPR face mask in your vehicle’s glove compartment.

Call the nearest law enforcement agency, especially if there are injuries to people or damage to a motor vehicle. Note what type of injuries there are and how many vehicles are involved. This will help the authorities send the proper equipment and number of personnel. If there is someone trapped in a vehicle, the danger of fire, or if any power lines are down, make sure to communicate this information when you call for assistance. (If power lines are on the vehicle, you should not approach it.)

According to Missouri law, except in the case of a crash resulting in the injury or death of any person, the driver(s) of a vehicle that obstructs the regular flow of traffic on the roadway must make a reasonable effort to move the vehicle or have it moved so as not to block the regular flow of traffic.

Protect the Scene

Each driver involved in the crash will have their viewpoint regarding what took place. Protect the scene. Don’t turn headlights, signal lights, or emergency flashers on or off. Whether they are on or off may be a critical factor in the traffic crash investigation.

Please do not leave the scene of the traffic crash until the officer tells you that you may do so.

If you are aware of a witness, try to obtain their name, address, and phone number if they are unable to wait for the police to arrive. Obtaining this information allows the police officer to contact them later. Make some notes about the crash. If there is more than one driver involved, be sure your notes about each driver can be understood clearly.

You will need to have accessible proof of insurance (required by Missouri law), your vehicle’s registration, and your driver’s license. Share this information with the other drivers involved in the crash.

Reporting Requirements

Please Note: Even if the traffic crash happens on private property or a settlement is made, Missouri law requires you to report traffic crashes in Missouri to the Driver License Bureau if the traffic crash involved an uninsured motorist and the crash caused property damage costing more than $500, or if someone was injured or killed in the crash.

If you need to file a Safety Responsibility report (SR22) due to the circumstances listed above, you may obtain one from:

  1. Your insurance company;
  2. Any law enforcement agency;
  3. The Driver License Bureau; or,
  4. Any driver license branch or fee office.

After you fill out a Safety Responsibility report (SR22), mail it to: Missouri Driver License Bureau, P.O. Box 200, Jefferson City, MO 65105-0200.

Copies of Traffic Crash Reports

A copy of a Patrol-investigated traffic crash report is available for $4.90 per report. Additional fees apply for copies of a certified crash report, reconstructed crash reports, photographs, scale diagrams, videotape duplication, etc. Call the troop headquarters nearest you (see below) or the Patrol Records Division at General Headquarters (573) 526-6113, to find out the exact cost of a report before sending any funds.

To obtain a copy of a crash report investigated by the Highway Patrol, wait 10 days from the date of the investigation and fill out the traffic crash report form provided by the trooper or from the website www.statepatrol.dps.mo.gov. Forward the completed form to the appropriate troop headquarters or Patrol Records Division along with your check or money order made payable to DPS-Missouri State Highway Patrol. Cash payments are not accepted and will be returned.

Information to Exchange at the Scene

Record the following details about the other driver and vehicle involved:

Important Numbers

MSHP Troop Headquarters

Contact Information

Missouri State Highway Patrol
P.O. Box 568
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0568
(573) 751-3313