Getting into a car accident can turn your world upside down in an instant. Between dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, insurance companies, and mounting bills, the legal process can feel overwhelming and confusing. If you’ve been injured in a crash in Missouri, whether in Kansas City, St. Joseph, or anywhere else in the state, understanding what happens next can help reduce stress and protect your rights.
The truth is, car accident claims take time—often much longer than people expect. Each step in the process matters, and rushing through important phases can cost you thousands of dollars in compensation. This timeline breaks down exactly what happens from the moment of impact to your final settlement, helping you understand the process and make informed decisions about your case.
Step 1: Immediate Aftermath (0–7 Days)
The first week after your accident sets the foundation for everything that follows. What you do during these crucial days can significantly impact your case’s success.
At the Scene:
- Call 911 immediately, even for seemingly minor accidents
- Get medical attention for all injuries, no matter how small they seem
- Take photos of vehicles, the accident scene, road conditions, and visible injuries
- Collect contact information from witnesses and other drivers
- Get the police report number from responding officers
Within the First Week:
- Seek comprehensive medical evaluation even if you feel okay initially
- Notify your insurance company about the accident
- Begin keeping detailed records of all medical treatment and expenses
- Avoid giving recorded statements to other insurance companies
- Start documenting how your injuries affect your daily life
Many injuries, particularly soft tissue damage common in car accidents, don’t show symptoms immediately. Getting prompt medical attention protects both your health and your legal case.
Step 2: Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer (Within Weeks)
Don’t wait to seek legal representation. Insurance companies begin investigating and building their defense immediately, and you should have professional advocacy from the start.
Why Speed Matters:
- Evidence can disappear quickly (security footage, witness memories)
- Insurance companies may try to get you to accept inadequate settlements
- Early legal intervention preserves your rights and strengthens your case
- A car-accident-lawyer can handle insurance communications while you focus on recovery
What to Expect: During your initial consultation, your attorney will review the accident details, assess your injuries, and explain Missouri law as it applies to your situation. Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you.
Step 3: Investigation & Evidence Gathering (2–4 Weeks)
Once you have legal representation, your attorney begins building your case through comprehensive investigation.
Insurance Review:
- Analyzing all available insurance policies (yours and the other driver’s)
- Determining coverage limits and potential compensation sources
- Reviewing policy exclusions and applicable deductibles
Evidence Collection:
- Obtaining the official police report and any supplemental reports
- Gathering medical records and treatment documentation
- Photographing property damage and preserving physical evidence
- Interviewing witnesses and obtaining written statements
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts when necessary
Documentation Process:
- Calculating current and future medical expenses
- Assessing lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Documenting pain, suffering, and quality of life impacts
- Preserving evidence of property damage and replacement costs
Step 4: Medical Treatment & Monitoring (Ongoing)
Your medical recovery timeline significantly impacts your case timeline. Settlements typically occur after your medical condition stabilizes and doctors can assess permanent effects.
Treatment Phase:
- Follow all medical advice and attend every appointment
- Complete prescribed physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Keep detailed records of all medical expenses and treatments
- Document how injuries continue affecting your daily activities
Maximum Medical Improvement: Your case usually can’t settle until you reach “maximum medical improvement”—the point where your condition has stabilized and doctors can assess permanent limitations or disabilities. This process can take months or even years for serious injuries.
Step 5: Demand Letter & Negotiations (1–3 Months)
Once your medical treatment is complete or your condition has stabilized, your attorney prepares a comprehensive demand package.
Demand Letter Contents:
- Detailed accident description and liability analysis
- Complete medical records and treatment documentation
- Proof of lost wages and economic damages
- Documentation of pain, suffering, and life impact
- Formal demand for specific compensation amount
Negotiation Process:
- Insurance companies typically respond within 30-60 days
- Initial offers are often significantly lower than fair value
- Your attorney negotiates back and forth to reach fair settlement
- This process can take several rounds over multiple months
Most car accident cases settle during this phase without needing to file a lawsuit.
Step 6: Settlement or Filing a Lawsuit (3–12+ Months)
If negotiations don’t produce a fair settlement, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit to protect your rights and pursue full compensation.
Filing Decision Factors:
- Whether the insurance company is offering fair compensation
- Strength of your evidence and liability case
- Severity of your injuries and long-term impacts
- Missouri’s 5-year statute of limitations deadline
Lawsuit Process:
- Your attorney files a petition in the appropriate Missouri court
- The defendant (other driver) has time to respond with an answer
- Discovery phase begins, where both sides exchange information
- Depositions and expert witness preparation occur
- Most cases still settle even after filing suit
Filing a lawsuit doesn’t mean you’re going to trial—it’s often a negotiation tool that encourages fair settlement offers.
Step 7: Trial (Only if Needed, 12–24 Months)
Only a small percentage of car accident cases actually go to trial, but when they do, the process can take additional months.
Trial Preparation:
- Extensive witness preparation and expert testimony planning
- Creating compelling presentations of evidence and damages
- Preparing for cross-examination and defense arguments
- Settlement negotiations often continue even during trial
Trial Timeline: Most personal injury trials last several days to a few weeks, depending on case complexity. Even if your case goes to trial, settlement remains possible until the jury reaches a verdict.
Missouri Statute of Limitations
Missouri law gives you five years from the date of your car accident to file a lawsuit. This is longer than many states, but waiting too long can still destroy your right to recover damages.
Critical Deadlines:
- Evidence disappears over time
- Witnesses’ memories fade
- Medical records may become harder to obtain
- Insurance companies become less willing to negotiate fair settlements
Don’t wait years to pursue your claim. Early action protects your rights and typically results in better outcomes.
Tips to Speed Up Your Claim
You can take steps to help your case progress more efficiently:
- Seek medical treatment early and follow all doctor’s recommendations
- Keep detailed records of all expenses and impacts from your injuries
- Stay off social media or be extremely careful about what you post (see “How Social Media Can Ruin Your Personal Injury Case”)
- Respond promptly to your attorney’s requests for information
- Don’t discuss your case with insurance companies without your lawyer present
- Attend all medical appointments and legal proceedings as scheduled
Related Legal Issues
Car accidents sometimes involve additional legal complexities that require specialized expertise:
Multi-Vehicle Scenarios: Complex accidents may involve multiple insurance companies and liability questions requiring experienced legal navigation.
Combined Cases: Some situations involve multiple types of injuries—for example, if you’re also bitten by a dog at the scene, you might need both a car-accident-lawyer and a dog-bite-lawyer.
Premises Liability: If you’re injured exiting your vehicle due to dangerous property conditions, a slip-and-fall-lawyer might be necessary alongside your car accident claim.
Fatal Accidents: Tragic cases requiring a wrongful-death-lawyer involve different timelines and legal considerations for surviving family members.
Work-Related Accidents: If your accident occurred while driving for work, you might need both workers’ compensation and personal injury representation, potentially involving an employment-lawyer.
Understanding these connections helps ensure all aspects of your case receive proper attention, similar to how comprehensive legal knowledge helps in situations covered by “Top 5 Mistakes Employees Make When Reporting Workplace Misconduct”, “Who Pays for a Dog Bite Injury in Missouri Rental Homes?”, “Dog Bites and Children: What Parents in Kansas Need to Know”, and “Whistleblower Laws in Kansas vs. Missouri: What You Should Know”.
Get the Legal Help You Deserve
Understanding the car accident claim timeline helps you make informed decisions and set realistic expectations. While the process takes time, each step brings you closer to fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Don’t navigate this complex process alone. The experienced legal team at Murphy, Kinney & Sumy, LLC has guided countless Missouri families through successful car accident claims. We understand the unique aspects of Missouri law and have the resources to build strong cases that achieve maximum compensation.
Contact us today for a free consultation about your car accident case. We serve clients throughout Kansas City, St. Joseph, and across Missouri. You won’t pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, and we’ll handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.
Time matters in car accident cases—both for preserving evidence and protecting your legal rights. Call Murphy, Kinney & Sumy, LLC now and take the first step toward getting the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a car accident settlement in Missouri?
Most car accident settlements in Missouri take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on injury severity and case complexity. Simple cases with minor injuries might settle within 3-6 months, while serious injury cases often take 12-18 months or longer. The timeline depends on how long medical treatment takes, the strength of evidence, and insurance company cooperation during negotiations.
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company already made an offer?
Yes, you should consult with a car-accident-lawyer before accepting any insurance offer. Initial offers are typically much lower than fair value and don’t account for future medical needs, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Insurance companies know that people without legal representation often accept inadequate settlements. A free consultation can help you understand whether an offer is fair.
Can I still file a claim if the crash happened years ago?
Missouri gives you five years from the accident date to file a lawsuit, which is longer than many states. However, waiting years can hurt your case because evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and medical records become harder to obtain. If it’s been a long time since your accident, contact an attorney immediately to assess whether you still have viable claims.
What documents do I need to file a car accident claim?
Key documents include the police report, medical records and bills, proof of lost wages, vehicle repair estimates, insurance policies, and photos from the scene. Your attorney will help gather additional evidence like witness statements, expert reports, and detailed damage assessments. Starting to collect these documents early strengthens your case and speeds up the process.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
If the other driver lacks insurance, you may still have options through your own insurance policy’s uninsured motorist coverage, or by pursuing the at-fault driver’s personal assets. Missouri requires uninsured motorist coverage, which can provide compensation when other drivers can’t. Your attorney can explore all available options to ensure you receive fair compensation despite the other driver’s lack of insurance.
