Attorney Christopher Hoffmann has focused exclusively on car accident law in St. Louis for 25 years.
Rear-end crashes account for more than one-third of all reported Missouri traffic accidents—approximately 37% of crashes statewide. If you’ve just been in a rear-end collision, here’s what you need to know to protect yourself.
Whether you’re still dealing with medical treatment, negotiating with an insurer, or trying to figure out your next step, we’re here to help.
Why Rear-End Crashes Are More Serious Than They Look
Many people walk away from a rear-end crash thinking they’re fine, only to wake up the next morning with a stiff neck, headaches, or back pain they can’t explain. That’s not unusual. Injuries like whiplash, soft-tissue damage, and spine trauma often don’t produce obvious symptoms immediately after impact. The adrenaline of the crash can mask pain for hours — sometimes days.
That delayed onset is one reason rear-end accident claims are frequently undervalued by insurance companies. If you haven’t seen a doctor, the insurer may argue your injuries weren’t serious. If you waited too long to report them, they may dispute whether the crash even caused them.
Steps to Take After a Rear-End Collision in St. Louis
1. See a Doctor — Even If You Feel Okay
Get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible after the crash. This protects your health and creates a medical record connecting your injuries to the collision. Do not wait to see whether the pain gets worse on its own.
If you’re experiencing neck stiffness, back pain, headaches, dizziness, or numbness in your hands or arms in the days following the crash, those symptoms are worth documenting with your doctor.
2. Report the Crash to the Police
In Missouri, crashes that result in injury, death, or property damage exceeding a certain threshold must be reported. Even if the damage looks minor, file a police report. That report becomes part of the official record of how the collision happened and who was involved.
3. Document Everything You Can
At the scene (if it’s safe to do so):
- Photograph the damage to both vehicles from multiple angles
- Photograph the position of the vehicles before they’re moved
- Get the other driver’s name, insurance information, and license plate
- Get contact information for any witnesses
After the crash:
- Keep copies of all medical records and bills
- Write down how your symptoms change from day to day
- Save any communications with the insurance company
4. Be Careful What You Say to the Insurance Company
The other driver’s insurance company is not on your side. Their goal is to settle your claim as quickly and cheaply as possible. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer, and you should be cautious about accepting a quick settlement offer before you fully understand the extent of your injuries.
Early settlement offers often fail to account for ongoing medical treatment, future healthcare expenses, and lost income. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you generally cannot seek additional compensation later—even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially believed.
5. Talk to a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Before you agree to anything with an insurance company, it’s worth speaking with an attorney who focuses on car accident cases. A lawyer can review the facts of your crash, explain your options, and give you a realistic sense of what your claim may be worth — at no cost to you.
What Compensation May Be Available
Every case is different, and results depend on the facts. That said, injured people in rear-end crashes in Missouri may be able to pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses — past and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Missouri is an at-fault state, which means the driver responsible for the crash — typically the driver who struck you from behind — may be liable for your damages. In many rear-end collisions, liability is relatively clear, but insurance companies can still dispute the value of your claim, the severity of your injuries, or whether certain treatment was necessary.
Talk to a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer — Free Consultation
If you were rear-ended in St. Louis or the surrounding area, The Hoffmann Law Firm is available to answer your questions — at no cost and no obligation.
Attorney Christopher Hoffmann has focused exclusively on car accident law in St. Louis for 25 years. Clients work directly with him, not a case manager. Whether you’re still dealing with medical treatment, negotiating with an insurer, or trying to figure out your next step, we’re here to help.