How to Prove a Car Accident Wasn’t Your Fault

Since Missouri is an “at fault” state instead of a “no-fault” state, the person who caused the accident is responsible for any resulting harm done. Although the at-fault motorist’s insurance company will pay for most of the damage, they still will be on the hook for anything higher than the policy’s limits. With this in mind, listed below are crucial steps you should take to prove that you aren’t at fault following a car accident.

Eyewitness Accounts

If there were any eyewitnesses of your car accident, be sure to get their contact information. Witnesses can be very valuable in providing testimony that the accident wasn’t your fault. They can also give an unbiased account of the incident, which can be helpful in proving who’s actually at fault in disputes between the involved drivers.

Photos or Videos

Photo or video evidence is very helpful for proving that a car accident wasn’t your fault. This evidence can show how the whole incident actually went down, including the before, during, and after. Additionally, photo or video evidence can help disprove any false claims that are made by the other motorist following the accident. If you have a dashcam, you should download that footage as evidence as soon as possible. If any witnesses recorded videos or took photos of the accident with their cell phones, you should also use those as evidence. This can all be very useful in proving that you weren’t actually at fault for the car accident.

Don’t Use a Police Report

A police report following a car accident is considered hearsay in the state of Missouri. This is because the officer who made the report wasn’t present when the incident occurred. The only exception to this rule is if the police report is considered an official record. However, in order to consider a police report as an official record, it has to be properly authenticated. If a police report following a car accident isn’t authenticated properly, it cannot be admitted as evidence and the court won’t be able to consider it. 

That said, a police report can still be helpful in providing important information regarding the accident, including the date, time, and location it occurred. It can also provide a description of what happened and list any citations issued to the drivers involved.

Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers at McShane & Brady Today

In order to schedule a free consultation with our car accident lawyers in Kansas City, MO, be sure to contact McShane & Brady or fill out the form on our website today. Our team will be able to call you back within one business day.

McShane & Brady is a Kansas City law firm that represents those who have been injured due to the negligence of others. We have successfully represented many car accident victims over the years, winning millions in settlements. If you or a loved one have been injured and are seeking compassionate, experienced attorneys with a proven track record of success, call us at 816-888-8010.