Missouri is a big state in the middle of the U.S. It doesn’t touch the ocean, but it’s full of rivers and cities. To the north is Iowa. To the east are Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Down south is Arkansas. On the west, Missouri touches Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska.
Its capital is Jefferson City, but the big cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia see the most cars and traffic. Missouri is home to the Missouri River, big parks, and even wild animals like bison and bears.
If you’re driving around, things can get busy fast. This makes knowing how to get a Missouri motor vehicle accident report really important.
Why and When Do You Need a Car Accident Report in Missouri?
A car accident report isn’t just some piece of paper. It’s a record of what really happened. Police write down the cars, the people, the time, and any injuries. Insurance companies need it to decide who pays for damage. If you want money for your injuries, for fixing your car, or even for missing work, the report is what proves it happened.
Not every crash gets a report. Missouri law says you have to file one if:
- Someone is hurt or killed
- Property damage is more than $500
- A parked car is hit, and the owner isn’t around
- Someone doesn’t have insurance
Even if your accident seems small, it’s safer to file a report. Later problems are worse than a little paperwork.
What’s in the Police Accident Report?
Police will write what they see. They may talk to you, witnesses, and the other driver. They take pictures, note damage, and write their opinion on what happened.
This is important because your insurance or lawyer can use it to show fault. Even though courts sometimes don’t accept the report as evidence, it’s still helpful to have it.
How to Get a Copy of Your Car Accident Report
There are a few ways to get your report in Missouri. You can:
- Online: The Missouri State Highway Patrol posts preliminary reports for 29 days and full reports after about 10 days. You can look it up with the crash date, location, and names.
- Local police: If your city police or county sheriff handled it, call or visit them. They’ll tell you how to get the report.
Tips for Successfully Getting Your Police Report
If you want to get your report and get it fast, here are some tips for you:
Know where to ask
If the city cops showed up, call their station. If it’s the county sheriff, call them. Big accidents might involve the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Different departments, different rules. Check online first if you can—it’s faster.
Use online tools when you can
Missouri has portals like the State Highway Patrol website. You can get preliminary reports online. Usually, they take a few days, sometimes longer if it’s a bigger crash.
Check the report carefully.
When it comes, read it. Names spelled wrong, wrong license plate numbers, wrong car colors—fix these ASAP. Errors might mess up insurance or legal claims. Call the officer who filed it and request corrections politely but firmly.
Be patient, but persistent.
Some cops are swamped, some reports wait on witnesses, and some just move slowly. Keep calling, keep checking online. A little nagging goes a long way.
Key Takeaways
- A police report is the official report that says what happened in the crash.
- You need one if someone is hurt or dies.
- You need one if the damage is over $500.
- You need one if a parked car was hit and the owner is not there.
- You need one if the other driver has no insurance.
- Reports help with insurance and court.
- Get the report online from the city police, county sheriff, or the Highway Patrol.
