From minor fender benders to catastrophic crashes, car accidents are relatively common in Missouri just as they are in other states. If you are involved in a car crash that is not your fault, you may be eligible for compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
However, there is more to a personal injury lawsuit than simply pointing a finger at the other party. Keep in mind that Missouri is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning that you can pursue damages even if you are partly to blame for the accident. However, your damages are reduced based on your contribution to the crash. And this underpins the importance of documenting the crash.
Here are three ways you can obtain a credible accident report if you are involved in one.
Obtain contact information
It is important that you obtain the other driver’s contact information as well as their insurance details. You could also ask for their driver’s license and take a copy of it. And if there are witnesses at the scene, be sure to take their statements and contact information too.
Take photos of the accident scene
A picture is worth a thousand words. If you can, be sure to take as many pictures and short videos of the accident scene as possible. Take photos of the positions of the vehicles, the extent of the damages, your injuries, skid marks on the road and weather conditions at the time of the accident.
File a police report
A police report is a vital piece of evidence in a car accident claim. In fact, Missouri laws require that you report any car accident that results in someone’s injury, death or property damage in excess of $500. Calling the police to the accident scene ensures that they investigate and document the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Obtaining evidence is the first step in litigating any legal matter – and your car accident claim is no exception. Understanding how to document a car accident can help you strengthen your case and achieve a desirable outcome in a car accident claim.
