When you’re involved in a car crash in Missouri, the first thing you should do after getting yourself to safety is call 911. The responding officer will compile a police report, documenting the accident and creating a crucial piece of evidence should you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.
A Missouri attorney can help protect rights after a car accident through not only representation but also education. Understanding the importance of a police report in determining fault can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your case.
What’s in a Missouri Police Report?
Missouri police reports contain key details about the case and observations made by the responding officer. In any given report, you’ll find:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Contact and insurance information of all involved parties
- Statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses
- Accident diagrams
- Citations or violations issued
- Officer observations of vehicle damage, road conditions, and injuries
- Initial fault assessment
The police report serves as official documentation of the accident and can be used as evidence to support your claim. However, remember that the officer’s fault assessment is considered “initial” rather than “final.” They may believe you were at fault, but your attorney may see things differently when they have a chance to review your case. Don’t make any assumptions before you’ve spoken to an attorney.
How Police Reports Influence Fault Determinations
Police reports are not official legal rulings, but attorneys and insurers often rely on them to make early fault determinations. Here’s how different parties might use them:
Insurance Companies
Insurers use police reports to gather basic facts, understand the sequence of events leading up to the accident, and identify potential witnesses. If a report strongly favors the other party, the insurer may deny your claim based almost entirely on its findings.
Personal Injury Attorneys
Attorneys use police reports as foundational documents for building their case. Depending on the report, they may look to either challenge or reinforce its findings. This can mean identifying inconsistencies with witness statements and physical evidence, confirming the officer’s narrative using photo or video evidence, or using the report to prepare questions for deposition or trial.
Courts
If a settlement can’t be reached, your lawyer will file a lawsuit and take your claim to court. There, they will need to present substantial evidence that proves the other party’s liability and shows the extent and impact of the damage they caused. Police reports are often considered evidence by the court and can be essential for proving your claim.
What If the Report Is Inaccurate or Incomplete?
Police officers are only human, which means they can make errors when filling out crash reports. Fortunately, an inaccurate police report can be addressed in a few different ways. If your report is wrong, then you can:
- Request an Amendment –You can contact the reporting officer and request that they change the incorrect information. For clear factual errors, amendments can be a simple process. However, for more subjective corrections, you will need strong evidence.
- Gather Your Own Evidence – If the police report does not accurately reflect the accident, you can disprove its findings with photo and video evidence, medical records, witness statements, and vehicle damage reports.
- Consult an Attorney – While the report can be a powerful piece of evidence, it’s not a necessity for winning your case. An experienced car accident attorney can help you build a compelling case despite an inaccurate police report.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the team at Ryan R. Cox & Associates, LLC, can help you gather the evidence you need to seek the justice and fair compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your consultation.