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How Can I Preserve Evidence in a Missouri Car Accident Case?

When you’ve just been in a car accident, thinking more than one step ahead can seem impossible. Your immediate concerns might be, “Is everyone okay?” and “Am I okay?” Thinking ahead about preserving evidence can help you resolve your accident case in the future.

• After a car accident, it’s important to gather evidence so you can prove what happened. 
• You should take pictures of the scene, get witness statements, and secure a copy of the police report and your medical records.
• A Missouri car accident lawyer can help you sift through all the evidence and build your personal injury case.

Missouri is an at-fault state for car accidents. This means whoever caused the accident is financially responsible for it. 

Why Is Evidence Important?

Accidents are chaotic. Cars that were moving predictably are suddenly doing unpredictable things. You might not notice what’s happening until it’s too late.

Because distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents in St. Louis, other drivers might not have noticed, either.

After a crash, things can get muddled as you assess the damage to your car or deal with injuries. Knowing what to do ahead of time can help you feel prepared in the moment. You can gather evidence following the crash to ensure you document everything that happened.

Some types of evidence carry more weight than others in personal injury cases. For instance, someone saying, “That was all my fault!” doesn’t hold as much weight as an official police report. Your Missouri car accident lawyer can sift through your evidence to find the most helpful documents.

What Types of Evidence Should I Preserve?

The best types of evidence are impartial. While statements from the people involved in the accident can be helpful, you’ll get more use out of evidence that provides clear proof.

• Photographs of the accident scene are important pieces of evidence. Before moving any of the cars involved, be sure to get some pictures or video. Take pictures of the road, too, if there are any skid marks that might show what happened.
• Ask people who saw the accident but weren’t involved to give a witness statement to the police. Someone who wasn’t involved in the accident is more likely to be impartial. They’re also less likely to be so shaken up that they can’t remember what happened.
• Keep the police report. The official police report from the scene is admissible in court, so it’s important that you have a copy to bring to your Missouri car accident lawyer.
• If you were injured in the accident, get a copy of your medical records. This will help prove how the accident affected you.

How a Law Firm Can Help

Between the police report, witness statements, photos, and medical records, you’ll have many pieces of evidence. Every state handles these cases and their evidence differently.

A Missouri car accident lawyer can help you with each step of building your case. They can guide you through every step of the process, so you don’t have to go it alone.

We know that a car accident can disrupt your life. Collecting evidence and consulting a lawyer can help you put your life back in order. If you’ve been in a car accident in the St. Louis area, call The Law Offices of Kevin J. Roach, LLC, at (636) 238-5848 to get answers to all your legal questions and determine your rights moving forward.