When you call 911 after a car accident in St. Louis, the responding police officer takes down information about the accident, including:
- All involved parties and witnesses
- Contact information
- Road and weather conditions
- Other relevant information about the collision
All this information is logged in an accident report, which the officer files with their department. Most forms also contain an officer narrative, where the officer writes down what they believe caused the accident and any other information not contained in the report’s fill-in-the-blank portion.
A police accident report may not be used as evidence in court in your suit against the at-fault driver if your case goes to trial. But, it does provide your St. Louis car accident lawyer with plenty of information to start building your case.
You can obtain a copy of your police report for your own records to give to your St. Louis car accident lawyer and insurance carrier.
Steps to obtain a police report in St. Louis
You have several options for obtaining a physical or online report.
Can anyone get a copy of a police report?
Yes, eventually, the report becomes a matter of public record. However, only interested parties, such as those involved in the crash, their lawyers, or their insurance adjusters, can obtain a copy of the police report before it becomes a matter of public record.
Information needed to obtain a police report
You typically need the first and last name of someone involved in the police report, the date and time of the incident, the driver’s license number of one of the drivers, and the location to request a report, although each department may ask for other information, too.
Reach out to your local law enforcement agency
Here’s how to get a copy of your police report online or by mail from law enforcement agencies in the greater St. Louis area:
St. Louis Police Department
- You can send in a written request to:
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Attn: Sunshine Law Unit
1915 Olive Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
- Or obtain one online here.
Fee: Locating a report is $15/ hour; fulfilling one is usually less than $5
St. Louis County Police Department
- You can send in a written request to:
St. Louis County Police Department
7900 Forsyth Blvd
Clayton, MO 63105
- Or obtain one online here.
Fee: $6.50
City of East St. Louis
- You can send in a written request to:
City of East St. Louis
301 River Park Drive
East St. Louis, IL 62201
- Or visit the police department in person at the above address.
Fee:
- Accident photos: $10 plus the cost of development
- Police report: $10
- Police dispatch recordings (911 calls):
- $10 a tape, under 15 minutes
- $15 for 10 to 15 minutes
- $25 for over 25 minutes
How is a police report useful for my car accident case?
The police car accident report contains important information for your St. Louis car accident attorney to start their own investigation of your case. Names of everyone involved and how to reach them, witness statements, and the road and weather conditions are important facts and will give your law firm’s investigator a good place to start.
The most important part of the report is the narrative. While this portion of the police report cannot be used in court as evidence, per federal rules of evidence, it can be quite useful to your lawyer during the discovery part of your lawsuit trial preparation.
Discovery is the formal exchange of evidence between both parties. Suppose the police officer’s narrative clearly indicates that the defendant (the at-fault driver) was acting recklessly or negligently. In that case, the defendant’s lawyer or insurance company is more likely to offer to agree to a fair settlement for your losses, both economic (financial losses that can be calculated) and non-economic (for your pain and suffering caused by your injuries).
Do you need help after a car accident?
The experienced St. Louis car accident lawyers with Langdon & Emison help car accident victims pursue full and fair compensation for the entirety of their losses following a car wreck. Contact us today at (866) 931-2115 for a free consultation.
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