Documenting the car accident scene can help make sure you aren’t held responsible for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
When you are in a car accident in Missouri, the party responsible for paying for any damages and injuries is the driver, or drivers, who are deemed negligent.
Missouri is a comparative negligence state, which means that it might be possible for more than one, or, in some instances, multiple drivers to be held liable in an auto accident depending on their “portion” of negligence in the accident.
Chris Hoffman is an excellent attorney. He is the best above the rest. What makes him different? He communicates promptly - I don't have to leave message after message for him to reach out to me. When I telephone his office, if he doesn't answer the telephone, his assistant does. Chris Hoffman is very attentive and focused. He means business, and he hit the ground running on the cases. I'm so blessed to have him for my attorney.
"Of all the lawyers I have met, this one is a true professional. This attorney goes against the biggest law firms and wins!"
Response from the owner:The compliment is much appreciated. Like every profession, it all starts with training our lawyers to be the best at every aspect of car accident cases. But the foundation of a great case is a great client. Thanks!
I'd say this lawyer is in the top three of the best you'll ever see. Add this attorney to the interview list if you ever get in an automobile accident. This Law Firm is on another level.
Response from the owner:Much appreciated. Techniques that an attorney or any professional uses are paramount for success. This is part of our lawyers training and preparation. It leads to success. Thank you!
People say this is the best car accident lawyer in St.Louis. Yep! Seeing this attorney in action is incredible.
Response from the owner:Great compliment. We work hard to be the best. Our lawyers also work very hard to help other lawyers in our profession. Not matter what, a cases is only as good as the client is. Thanks!
Response from the owner:Thanks! Referrals and recommendations from prior car accident clients is our #1 source of cases. People who grew to trust us send family and friends.
The Hoffman law firm is truly professional. After hiring them I was truly relieved and knew I was in good hands. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Being in good hands is important. Many lawyers take cases with little experience and little resources. Our firm specialized decades ago. We are focused exclusively on accident cases.
The lawyers on tv just dont compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr.Hoffmann is as good as they get.
Response from the owner:Thank you. The TV attorneys are just settlement mills. People are hiring a paralegal, not a lawyer. Our law firm is different. You are represented by an attorney and we do not have settlement quotas.
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner:TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner:Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner:This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner:Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner:Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner:Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner:Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
What Is Negligence?
Negligence is a legal term that states that whoever acts in such a way to cause the accident is responsible for paying for their portion. It might also be that someone fails to respond when appropriate and that failure to act is directly responsible for the accident.
There are accidents where the fault of an individual or individuals is easy to determine. For example, if someone receives a ticket for running a red light and hits another car, it is usually straightforward who is negligent. However, there are also times when determining who is at fault is not so simple.
The best way to make sure that you aren’t left holding the liability bag for an accident that wasn’t your fault is to make sure to document everything to prove what role, if any, you played in an accident.
Why Photos Are so Important
Not many people think about taking pictures at the scene of a car accident, but they are a critical part of lending credence to the claims that the parties in an accident assert. In addition, by showing the aftermath of a crash, it can sometimes be apparent who’s story is most accurate.
How to Take the Best Photos
It isn’t always enough to take pictures of a car involved in the accident. Although the police report will help to support your case, it is an excellent idea to take pictures of:
Different views and perspectives of the accident scene. Make sure to get photos from different angles so that a judge and jury can see the full extent of the car accident.
Get all cars that were involved in the crash. If there are multiple cars and one sped off out of sight, make sure to include it, even if it didn’t directly hit your car. Again, you will want to make sure to get all automobiles involved.
Signs and traffic lights. It is important to show the positioning of the street signs and lights to prove whether or not they were obscured or in plain sight. If someone claims they didn’t see a sign, you will want to provide evidence that either they did or didn’t see it due to the sign’s placement.
Weather conditions.Weather conditions can severely impact someone’s ability to control their car. For example, if there was a rainstorm that made things more difficult to see or ice that made the roads slippery, then those are all things you will want to document on film.
Speak With a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
If you are in an accident, it is an excellent idea to be proactive about recording the events of what happened both before and after. You will be glad that you recorded the events if fault comes into question. To help your St. Louis car accident lawyer defend you to the best of their ability, be sure to document everything you experienced in the car accident carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taking Pictures After a Car Accident
Taking photos allows you to document key details about the accident that might otherwise slip your mind. The photos will also play an important role in proving liability.
Every vehicle accident is unique. Thus, the photos you take will depend on the circumstances that led to the accidents. That said, there are some essential details you should capture, if possible, as you wait for emergency services to arrive at the accident scene:
Pictures of the general surroundings: nearby buildings, road conditions, the weather, etc.
Pictures of any injuries
Pictures of nearby road signs
Pictures of the parties involved, police officers, witnesses, or at the scene
Pictures of the internal or external damage to all the vehicles involved
Pictures of the other vehicles’ license plates, insurance, and other registration details
You can’t take too many pictures. Take as many pictures as you can. Equally important, take the same pictures from different angles. This will help create a vivid picture of the accident.
Your safety should always come first. If you cannot take pictures of the accident scene because you’re injured or light-headed, don’t attempt to do so. Instead, ask someone you trust to take the photos for you.
No! Your failure to take photos of the accident will not be used to discredit your claim. Missouri does not mandate victims to capture accident scene photos.
While photo evidence can be helpful, the truth is it’s not sufficient enough to convince the court to rule in your favor. Therefore, you will greatly benefit from the help of an experienced attorney who can help you collect the evidence you need, negotiate with the insurance company, and, if necessary, take your case to court.
Why Choose Us over TV Lawyers?
Direct Attorney Access (24/7)
Maximum Compensation Focus
Trial-Ready Cases
Team-Based Handling
Volume-Driven Timelines
Less Trial Preparation Emphasis
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!
