Just as it is important to secure accident vehicles, it is equally important to retain a St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident so that other key evidence at the accident scene is preserved.
Evidence Gathered by Law Enforcement Agencies at an Accident Scene
While they may not preserve cars, trucks, or other vehicles involved in an accident, investigating law enforcement agencies like the police or Highway Patrol usually take some steps to record the evidence at the scene of the accident at the time of their arrival. In documenting a major car accident, for example, police officers will likely photograph the scene, briefly inspect the subject vehicles, interview eyewitnesses to the incident, and measure and document all evidence they believe to be associated with the accident.
It is important to remember, however, the role of police officers in an accident is to investigate the accident scene with an eye toward possible criminal violations, not toward a civil lawsuit. Also, law enforcement officials are limited in their training and in the resources available to complete a thorough evaluation of a car accident site. Thus, when you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, it is important to contact an experienced accident attorney who can visit the accident site before critical evidence is lost or altered.
Securing Accident Debris Evidence
Many times accident debris evidence – like tire treads, glass deposits, side mirrors, luggage racks, tail lamp covers, and even items thrown from inside a vehicle – may be present for only a short period of time after an accident. Knowledge of the exact location of this type of evidence can be a tremendous aid to an accident reconstructionist in recreating how an accident took place.
Insurance companies rarely do anything to preserve the evidence left behind at the scene of an accident. Similarly, “first response” teams funded by the automakers and component part manufacturers understand the importance of car accident scene evidence. So do others interested in defending against your potential car accident case. Further, weather and elements work against the discovery of evidence that may be crucial to the reconstruction of an incident.
Regardless of the reason, evidence from an accident scene can disappear from roadways before a thorough evaluation can occur. Thus, an immediate at-scene investigation process initiated by an attorney acting on your behalf is critical.
Accident Reconstruction
Depending on the facts and circumstances of each particular car accident, it may be a good idea to have an accident reconstructionist inspect the scene immediately after a car accident. This allows the expert to locate, document, and gather the evidence he or she feels is of particular importance to the reconstruction of the car accident sequence.
Call Us to Find Out How We Will Work Tirelessly To Prove Your Case
If you have been injured in a car accident, or if a loved one has been killed, please call me. I will be available to meet with you for free at a time that is convenient with your schedule. Once I learn about your case, I can explain to you your legal options for recovery, and how we will work tirelessly to prove your case.
There is no fee to us unless and until we recover for you.