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Obtaining a Missouri Police Car Accident Report

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If you are injured in a Missouri car accident caused by another driver, certain documents, including the police report, can support your claim.

Filing a car accident claim can be done with the help of a Missouri car accident attorney. You will need to provide proof of your injury and other damages and proof that you were not the cause of the accident. Certain documents can be used, such as the police car accident report, to provide a basis for your car accident claim.

Obtaining a Missouri Police Car Accident Report
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This attorney is very smart, very experienced, returns phone calls and knows the answers when asked. One call and I knew this was a great law firm for auto accidents.
Response from the owner: Our law firm appreciates this. This is a comment we get from so many people who call…”none of the lawyers we called told me all the things that you did.” Whether we take a car accident case or not, helping people is a good thing.
5 Star Lawyer for sure! Best you will find in Saint Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks for the 5 Star Rating. Reviews like this are great. Injury victims quickly figure out the TV advertisers are not good. We work hard at being the best we can be and it reflects in our representation of car accident victims.
Watch this lawyer in action. Was way better than all the others. Get this lawyer for an automobile accident for sure.
Response from the owner: Thanks for the recommendation. Besides doing cases, our attorneys train for this. Hard work, case knowledge and technique is key to success in car accident litigation.
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Response from the owner: We get calls from car accident victims that had to fire the TV lawyers that they hired. They give the same two reasons: 1) they never spoke to a lawyer at the Big TV law firms, only a paralegal, and 2) the paralegal recommended they accept a low offer. At our law firm, you only talk to the lawyer and if an offer is low we tell you to sue. Thanks!
You will love this car accident lawyer.
Response from the owner: You are the best! Thanks for the review. Our attorneys work hard but it all starts with a great client.
Several lawyers said to call this lawyer because he is the best. You will appreciate this law firm. Helped with the injury and property claims. Attentive and knowledgeable. Great reputation in St Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks Lexi. Our #1 source of cases is other lawyers referring us cases that are too big for them to handle.
Would use this accident law firm. Best in Saint Louis. Highly rated and it shows. After one phone call, you just know this attorney is better. 5 Stars!!
Response from the owner: Thanks for recommending our lawyers in St Louis. There is a major difference in lawyers as you well know.
Great law firm thanks Leah for the referral
Response from the owner: Appreciate you recommending our law firm. Car accident litigation is all we do and specializing allows us to focus.
Car accident lawyers on tv are not good . Get this attorney ! He is a pro !!
Response from the owner: Thanks Nathan. TV lawyers market for car accidents, use paralegals instead of lawyers and give their employees settlement quotas hence forcing cheap settlements. At our law firm, you get a lawyer who keeps pushing forward for more.
A+ attorney. Smart. Helpful. Great for automobile accident cases. Located in saint louis, missouri. Use him!
Response from the owner: Thanks. Car accident cases are difficult without the right attorney and great clients. Much appreciated.
Quality lawyer. Best law firm for a car accident. Advice was way better than other lawyers I called in St. Louis. Helped with property and injury.
Response from the owner: Thanks. The TV lawyer advertisers are just car accident settlement mills. As soon as people call a real attorney, they always tell us how much better and more helpful we were. Appreciate this.
Get this lawyer if you have an automobile accident. Simply the best!
Response from the owner: Thanks Lizzy. Recommendations from other is the best way to find a car accident attorney.
This lawyer is big time. Smooth. The other lawyers on the other side were not nearly as good as this attorney. I recommend friends in St Louis to him for accident injuries and they all say the same thing…”that lawyer is great.”
Response from the owner: Very nice of you to say. Our lawyers work hard on auto accident cases.
Family used this car accident attorney after a crash. Located in St Louis. This lawyer answers the phone and will walk you through the process. Knows his stuff!
Response from the owner: Taking calls, going over the car accident injury and property process is important. Clients that call always say we are the only lawyers that explained everything. Much appreciated.
Tried the lawyers on TV. They were not good. Hired this car accident lawyer instead because he had great reviews. The reviews are correct. This attorney is as good as they get. He does big injury cases that need to be litigated.
Response from the owner: Car accident lawyers on TV do not litigate cases. It is mass production. They have quotas. Local attorneys are best on auto accidents.
Very very good at injury claims for car wrecks. Use this St Louis attorney. Two thumbs up!
Response from the owner: Thanks for the review! All we do is accidents. When you specialize, your knowledge base and practice skills grow. Thanks!
Used this attorney for an auto accident. Highly recommend this lawyer in St. Louis. Communicates well.
Response from the owner: Communicating with clients is essential. Taking the client though the car accident claims process is important otherwise major mistakes can occur. It is an effort that we make. Thanks!
Best for car accidents in St Louis. Use this attorney.
Response from the owner: Thanks. Great clients make for great cases!
This lawyer is great for car accident injury claims. Did an uninsured motorist case. Very good attorney.
Response from the owner: Car accidents can be insured or uninsured. The claims are much different. Thanks for the review.
Great lawyer if you are in an auto accident. I recommend this attorneys office.
Response from the owner: Thanks J. Glad we got your auto accident case completed and that for telling others about our lawyers.
Very good car accident attorney. Did my and my relatives claims and paperwork. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner: Thanks for recommending our law firm on car accident cases.
Fantastic law firm, I would recommend! Received free consultation related to an auto accident when my parked car was damaged by a baseball. Very supportive advice, these guys are good!
Response from the owner: Thank you!
Recommend this attorney for auto accidents.
Response from the owner: Thanks for recommending our attorneys for an automobile accident.
Best St Louis lawyer for car accidents.
Response from the owner: Thanks Tana. Appreciate this!
Great Lawyer!!
Response from the owner: Thank you
I was in a car accident in St.Louis and hired Chris as my lawyer. He was amazing!!! He helped me every step of the way and was able to get me a great settlement!!!Highly, highly, highly recommend him!
Response from the owner: Each step is important in a car accident. Thanks for recommending us for car accidents injury claims.
If you have an auto accident and need an attorney in St Louis, I recommend Mr Hoffmann.
Response from the owner: Appreciate this James and you did great as well. Car accident claims always start with a good client.
Great car accident lawyer. Did a very good job on my injury case. Thanks!
Response from the owner: Thanks. Appreciate the compliment. All we do is car accident litigation.
Very accomplished accident attorney in Saint Louis. 5 stars for sure!
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A car accident lawyer I would recommend to anyone.
Response from the owner: Thanks. That is great of you to say about our lawyers.
Great car accident attorney!!
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When I had my accident he was very professional, honest and caring to me and my family it wasn't about the money it was about the care, he made sure me and my kids were took care of and I really appreciate it this is a gexcellant law firm also his secretary is the best,so I would like to say thank you chris for everything melinda .
Response from the owner: Thank you
Great car accident lawyer in St. Louis. This is a very good car accident lawyer in St. Lious. Takes phone calls. Listens. Experienced in injury litigation.
Response from the owner: Thanks Maddie. Our law firm brings experience to the table on car accident cases.
Great people, helped me through a situation over the phone. His words and advice eventually helped me in my case.
Response from the owner: Glad to hear!
Although Mr. Hoffman did not represent me in my case he was willing to take the time to get me in touch with someone who specializes in the type of incident I needed legal representation with. Attorney's such as Mr. Hoffman are difficult to find. He took personal time to keep in touch with me and give me sound legal advice and guidance. I highly recommend speaking with Mr. Hoffman if you require his services. I truly believe he is the type of person who cares and will make sure the job gets done RIGHT. Do not hesitate to contact him
Response from the owner: Anytime!
In an auto accident in St. Louis, the other car pulled out and hit us. The collision was very bad. We were all injured and used this attorney. He is very experienced in handling injury claims and got a great settlement after filing a lawsuit for us. 5 Stars!
Response from the owner: Thanks Ms. Santoni. Side impact car accidents are some of the worst our lawyers see. We have to file lawsuits on nearly every case because insurance companies deny almost every claim, but I am glad we got yours resolved. I appreciate you recommending our lawyers and giving us a 5 Star rating.
My daughter and I were in an car accident. We for both injured badly. After I finally got out of the hospital, I started looking for lawyers in Saint Louis and found this attorney who does accident and injury claims. It said their attorney would answer 24 hours a day. I called their law firm at 10 p.m. and a injury lawyer answered. He was polite, knowledgeable, and advised me of what needed to be done for myself and my daughter regarding the car accident. I hired them to do or auto accident case. They kept me well informed during the car accident case in Saint Louis County Court. I was well prepared for depositions. He help with everything. I got a good settlement as did my daughter for our injuries. Although the car accident was scary, it was bearable having a good helpful attorney on our side. I highly recommend this Saint Louis car accident law firm. Their attorneys and lawyers are great. Highly recommended
Response from the owner: Happy to help.
The Chris Hoffman law firm takesgreat care of all my legal needs. They are caring and personal and will fight for what you need. I highly recommend them. You will be very satisfied and know he got you the best deal available.
Response from the owner: Great cleints are the start to pursuing any legal case and you are the best! Thanks for the recommendation Barbara!
A true professional in terms of car accident cases. I definitely recommend this lawyer for any injury after a St. Louis accident. Very good at what these attorneys do!
Response from the owner: Thank you very much for such a great review. Our attorneys work hard at providing great service. Car accident cases are fought by insurance companies from the property damage through the personal injury claim. This forces people to get local lawyers to do their claims. Missouri and Saint Louis, in particular, is known for accident claim denial even against your own insurance carrier. Thanks again!
You will not find better attorneys for a car accident in St. Louis. Very experienced. These attorneys know all the facets of an accident case and have great advice when problems come up during the injury claim.
Response from the owner: Thanks Jack. Our attorneys appreciate a great review like this. It helps car accident victims know who are the real lawyers in St. Louis who do this work versus the mere advertisers who refer victims to lawyers they have never met for a kickback. Much appreciated!
Thanks for helping with my car accident case. These lawyers are best in St. Louis.
Response from the owner: You are welcome and thanks for the review! A lot of car accident victims read these and find it helpful in choosing a lawyer for their case. Great cases always start with great clients!
great lawyer for auto accident cases . I thought this law firm did great work .Very happy with their services. I would recommend them to others.
Response from the owner: It was very nice of you to leave a review. Thanks Brenda! A good case always starts with a great client. We appreciated the recommendation. It is good to hear back from clients and have them refer us to other injury victims after a car accident. Wish you well!
This is the best choice for a car accident attorney. These lawyers get great settlements.I was recommended to them from some people I know and was happy to get a great recommendation.
Response from the owner: Our attorneys appreciate the compliment! It is great to hear we are doing well. It means a lot when you recommend our lawyers to other car accident victims. Thanks again!
Glad I switched to this auto accident lawyer. These lawyers fight hard for their injury clients. I highly recommend these lawyers.
Response from the owner: We are happy you switched as well. Good clients are the basis for a good case. Fighting to protect your rights after an accidental injury is our sole focus. Your recommendation means a lot. Thanks again for the review.
If you are injured in a car accident you should hire this attorney. This is the best legal representation. These attorneys are very professional.
Response from the owner: Thank you for reviewing our law firm and recommending our lawyers. Attorneys appreciate feedback on whether they are doing well on cases and reviews are one of the best means for this.
ST.LOUIS AUTO ACCIDENT? I RECOMMEND THIS LAWYER FOR ANY ACCIDENT CASE INVOLVING INJURIES. VERY GOOD LAWYERS!
Response from the owner: Appreciate the Good Words! SInce our law firm started focusing exclusively on car and auto accidents, the focus had increased our knowledge and the learning curve has greatly benefited out settlement results. Specializing is key for any lawyers! All benefit from this. Thanks again for the review!
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What to Do When Involved in a Missouri Car Accident

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident in Missouri, you are required by law to stop your car at the scene. Failure to do so is considered a crime and could hurt your chances of being reimbursed for any financial damage. Only move your car if you can and if it is in a position likely to cause another car crash. Otherwise, leave it where it is until the police instruct you to move it. Before moving any vehicle, use your cell phone to photograph exactly how the cars were positioned after the crash. This could go a long way in showing who caused the accident. The Missouri Department of Motor Vehicles also recommends that you help anyone who is hurt, call the police, set up flares around the scene if it is dark, exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, and remain at the scene until a police officer tells you to, unless you are seriously hurt and need immediate medical attention.

The Missouri Police Accident Report

When the police are called to the scene of an accident, they will complete a report detailing what they found and any conclusions they reach. They may interview witnesses to the accident, take pictures, and discuss the accident with both drivers and any passengers involved. Their impression of the scene is important and will be contained in the report they file with their agency.

How to Obtain a Police Accident Report

Having the officer’s account of the accident is critical for your Missouri car accident claim, but how you obtain it depends on which county the accident occurred and which law enforcement agency responded. A Missouri auto accident injury attorney will know who to contact to get you the report you need for your case. If the accident was minor and the police did not respond, you must report the accident yourself. You have one year to do so, only if the damages exceed $500 or there is a personal injury.

Can a Police Report Help Your St. Louis Car Accident Case?

Although they are generally not admissible in court, police reports can be useful in car accidents.

Missouri is a comparative law state, which means that more than one party can be found at fault when you are in a car accident. Comparative law dictates that both parties in a car accident can be ascribed an amount of negligence. This differs from an at-fault state, where only one person can be found negligent and liable to pay for any resulting damages and injuries.

The percentage of guilt assigned to each party determines how much they pay in damages. For instance, if someone pulls out before you and you hit them, they would generally bear responsibility. However, if you were speeding, then you might be found partially liable for damages and injuries, too.

If you are in an accident, you must get a police report filed. First, if you don’t wait for law enforcement at the scene, you could be charged with a hit and run, especially if you don’t exchange driver information. Secondly, you will want to have a police report filed to help negotiate a settlement. Although police reports are not admissible in a court of law and will not help you if the case goes to trial, recording events through a police report is a great tool for your St. Louis car accident attorney to review to help ascribe fault or to exonerate you of any liability when negotiating.

The police report will generally have the case’s specifics, whether any tickets were issued, and the recounts given by both parties at the scene. Events are much better recorded at the time of the accident, rather than going back and trying to remember what happened.

Although they are generally not admissible in court because police reports are technically considered hearsay, they can help your St. Louis car accident attorney negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. A police report may help you get all you are entitled to and help to establish who was negligent and who is liable for damages. When meeting with your St. Louis car accident lawyer, it is always a good idea to bring a copy of the police report so that your lawyer will have something to work with. It might be the best tool for getting you the compensation you are entitled to without taking the case to trial.

“There’s an Error on the Car Accident Police Report: What Are My Options?”

Dealing with a car accident is never easy, but things can get even more complicated if there are errors in the police report. Whether it’s a typo or a factual mistake, a police report error can seriously affect your claim or lawsuit. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to challenge the report and protect your interests.

Here are some of the most common police report errors and the steps you can take to fix them.

Common Police Report Errors

Police report errors can take many different forms. Some of the most common include:

Typos

One of the most common problems is simple typographical errors, such as misspelled names or incorrect addresses. These might seem like minor details, but they can have a major impact on the outcome of a case. Sometimes, these errors can even lead to charges being dropped or reduced. For example, if the police report mistakenly lists the wrong make and model of the other vehicle involved in an accident, it could jeopardize an insurance claim. A typo in the description of the accident can also lead to an incorrect determination of fault.

Missing Information

Another common error is missing information. This can include the name and contact information of the other driver, insurance information, and a detailed description of the accident. Filing a claim or pursuing legal action can be difficult without this vital information.

Faulty Accident Diagrams

Police officers often draw diagrams of the scene of an accident as part of their report. These diagrams can be essential evidence in determining fault. However, due to the fast-paced nature of an accident, it’s easy for them to make mistakes when drawing their diagrams. For example, they may not include all the cars involved in the accident or may not accurately show the positions of the cars at the time of impact. They may also fail to consider important details such as road conditions or markings. This can lead to confusion and ambiguity when determining who is at fault for the accident.

More errors:

  • Inaccurate witness statements
  • Incorrect information about the other driver

These are just a few of the most common police report errors. Many others can occur, and any one of them could have a serious impact on your case.

If you believe the police report contains an error, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. The sooner you catch and correct the mistake, the less likely it is to cause problems.

How to Fix Police Report Errors

First, get a copy of the police report and go through it carefully to verify if there is an error and what kind of error it is. Once you have identified the mistake, you may consider contacting the officer who filed the report and requesting a correction.

The Missouri car accident report is important to show how the accident occurred and who may be liable for it. To ensure your legal rights are protected while filing a car accident claim, we recommend having an experienced car accident attorney by your side to help you navigate the process.

What if You Can’t Obtain the Police Report Right Away?

There are a few reasons why you might not be able to get your police report right away:

The Police Department Is Backlogged

While this is the last thing you’d want to hear, it’s unfortunately not uncommon for police departments to be backlogged. This is especially true in larger cities with a high volume of accidents. If this is the case, you can best be patient and keep checking with the department until the report is available.

The Police Department Is Waiting on Information from Witnesses or the Other Driver Involved in the Accident

This is another common reason why reports might not be available right away. The police department may be waiting on information from witnesses or the other driver involved in the accident before they can release the report. If this is the case, there may not be much you can do but wait for them to gather all the necessary information.

The Investigation Is Still Ongoing

If the accident was more severe or resulted in injuries, the police department may need to conduct a more thorough investigation. Again, waiting for the investigation to be completed is generally best.

Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!

Updated: June 12, 2024