After a car accident in Columbia, MO, you should focus first on your safety, then on getting checked out and keeping clear records. Even a crash that seems minor can leave you with neck pain, back pain, headaches, or stiffness hours or days later.
This guide walks you through what to do after a wreck on I-70, Highway 63, Stadium Boulevard, or another busy road in Columbia.
If you can do so safely, move out of traffic. After a crash on I-70, Highway 63, Stadium Boulevard, Providence Road, Broadway, or Grindstone Parkway, try to move your vehicle to a safer spot if it still runs and no one is seriously hurt. If anyone needs urgent help, call 911 right away.
When injuries are involved, you are generally required to report the crash. Missouri law requires drivers to report accidents that involve injury, death, or major property damage.
At the scene, be careful with what you say. Stick to the facts when talking to the other driver, witnesses, and responding officers. Do not speculate about fault or what caused the crash.
If it is safe, take photos and videos before the vehicles move. Capture the damage, road marks, traffic lights, weather, nearby signs, and the full crash scene. These details can help later if questions come up about what happened.
After that, get the other driver’s information. Write down their name, license number, insurance details, phone number, plate number, and vehicle description. If any witnesses stayed at the scene, ask for their names and phone numbers too.
Because Missouri uses an at-fault insurance system, the crash details can matter as well. Write down the time, location, and nearby road, such as I-70, Highway 63, Stadium Boulevard, Providence Road, Broadway, or another Columbia route. These details may help with your claim and medical records.
Pain does not always show up right away after a crash. Adrenaline can hide symptoms for several hours, so many people feel fine at first. Pain and stiffness often develop over the next 24 to 72 hours, when whiplash, back strain, headaches, and dizziness can become harder to ignore.
Prompt medical attention can help detect injuries before they get worse. A medical visit also creates a record of your symptoms if insurance questions come up later. If you’re dealing with pain after a crash, Lordex Spine Center Of Columbia offers auto injury care in Columbia, MO, for patients throughout Boone County.
At the moment of impact, your body releases adrenaline and stress hormones. You may feel fine for the first few hours, even if your muscles, joints, or spine absorbed real force.
Once those hormones wear off, pain and stiffness may develop within 24 to 72 hours. That is when symptoms like whiplash, back pain, headaches, and reduced movement tend to become noticeable. Auto injury relief in Columbia, MO can help once pain starts in a day or two after the crash.
In many cases, crash-related injuries are not obvious until the days that follow. Lordex Spine Center Of Columbia regularly helps patients recover from injuries that include:
If you feel neck pain after a crash, getting whiplash treatment in Columbia, MO can help with stiffness, soreness, and limited movement.
As soon as you can, report the accident to your insurance company. Missouri follows an at-fault liability system, so the at-fault driver’s insurance usually handles covered losses.
Before you give any statement, make sure you understand the full extent of your injuries. If you have questions about fault, coverage, or your rights, you can speak with an attorney for guidance.
After your first visit, follow the treatment plan your provider recommends. Missing appointments or going too long between visits can slow your recovery and make your records harder to follow.
Keeping good records can make a real difference for your claim. Hold onto visit summaries, bills, imaging results, prescriptions, and insurance letters. If you need care after a Columbia, MO car accident, you can call Lordex Spine Center of Columbia at (573) 443-0551 or visit us online to schedule an appointment.
Yes. Even if you feel fine, you should consider seeing a chiropractor after a car accident in Columbia, MO. Whiplash, disc injuries, and soft-tissue pain may take 24 to 72 hours to appear.
Missouri has no strict deadline for getting care after a crash, but waiting can make it harder to connect your symptoms to the accident. Most injury professionals recommend getting checked within 72 hours.
Common injuries include whiplash, herniated or bulging discs, lower back strain, shoulder injuries, headaches, and dizziness. Some feel mild at first but worsen as swelling and stiffness build.
In many cases, yes. Coverage depends on your policy, the other driver’s coverage, and whether you carry benefits like MedPay. Lordex Spine Center of Columbia can help you review your options.
If you've been hurt in a car accident anywhere in the Columbia area, whether on I-70, US-63, Providence Road, or a neighborhood street, our team at Lordex Spine Center of Columbia is here to help you understand what's going on in your body and put you on a path toward real recovery.
Dr. Brooks Travis and the staff at Lordex have spent over two decades helping Columbia residents heal from auto injuries using non-surgical, evidence-based approaches.
At Lordex Spine Center of Columbia, we accept most insurance plans and see new patients without requiring you to wait for a settlement. You can reach our office directly at (573) 443-0551, or schedule an appointment online.
A crash in Columbia, MO can make you feel disoriented. Even a collision that seems...
Back pain in Columbia, MO can often be managed with rest and conservative care in...
Surprisingly, the jaw is one of the many parts of the body that Columbia MO chiropractors can...
Lordex Spine Center Of Columbia
3400 Buttonwood Dr Ste C
Columbia, MO 65201
P:(573) 443-0551
F: (573) 442-2959
COPYRIGHT © 2026