Every year, thousands are injured in Missouri auto accidents and truck wrecks. Understandably, many focus solely on their medical care in the days after a crash. But while they are healing, critical evidence is disappearing. One of the most important things a personal injury attorney can do for you is act quickly to preserve and gather that evidence. Without quick action, the evidence might be gone forever.

At Kennedy, Robbins, Yarbro & Henson, LC, thorough investigation is the foundation of every auto collision and truck accident case we handle. Here is what that investigation looks like and why it matters to your recovery.

The Scene of the Crash

A prompt investigation of the accident scene can reveal details that a police report alone will not capture. Skid marks, gouge marks in the pavement, debris fields, and road conditions all tell a story about how a collision happened. These physical markers can fade, be repaired, or be obscured within days. An experienced attorney knows to document the scene early. That can determine when to retain an accident reconstruction expert to interpret the physical evidence.

Surveillance Video: The Most Valuable Evidence You May Not Know Exists

In today’s world, cameras are everywhere. Gas stations, convenience stores, banks, restaurants, auto parts stores, and even private residences along busy Missouri roads and highways frequently capture traffic on video. In the right case, that footage can show exactly how an accident happened. For example, it may show who ran the red light, who crossed the center line, or who was speeding.

The problem is that surveillance footage is rarely preserved automatically. Most businesses and homeowners record over their footage on a rolling basis. This sometimes happens as quickly as 24 to 72 hours after recording. Once that footage is gone, it cannot be recovered.

A personal injury attorney can act immediately to identify businesses and residences near the scene, send written preservation demand letters requesting that footage be retained, and, where necessary, obtain court orders to compel preservation and production. This is work that must happen in the first days after a crash, not weeks later.

The Police Report and Crash Records

Missouri law requires law enforcement to investigate and report accidents that meet certain thresholds. The crash report is an important starting point, but it is only that. Officers arrive after the fact and often rely on statements from the parties. Additionally, they may not have access to all the information that a full investigation will develop. Witness identifications in the report should be followed up promptly, while memories are fresh.

Witness Statements

People who saw the accident happen are among your most valuable resources. Witnesses move, memories fade, and contact information gets lost. Locating witnesses and obtaining their accounts early is critical. This should happen before they have been approached by an insurance adjuster or forgotten the details. Early action is a critical part of building a strong case.

What the Insurance Company Is Already Doing

Here is the reality: when a serious accident occurs, the at-fault driver’s insurance company opens a claim file and begins its own investigation, often within hours. Their goal is to minimize what they pay. They are looking for ways to shift blame, identify comparative fault, and control the narrative.

Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system, which means your percentage of fault reduces your recovery. Insurance adjusters understand this, and they use it. Having an attorney working equally as fast on your behalf levels the playing field.

We’re Ready to Go to Work for You

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Missouri auto accident or truck wreck, time is running out, but we’re here to help. The attorneys at Kennedy, Robbins, Yarbro & Henson, LC conduct thorough, aggressive investigations designed to find the evidence that wins cases. Learn more about our auto collision and truck accident representation. Also, read our post on third-party liability in Missouri truck accidents for more on how complex these cases can become.

Contact us today for a free consultation, or call us at 573-686-2459. You pay nothing unless we win. We’re here to help.