A witness statement provides a firsthand account of a car crash, which can strengthen your injury claim. If possible, always get witness information. However, if you were too injured, their contact information should be in the police report, which your car accident lawyer can obtain down the road.
A car accident attorney can often strengthen your case by interviewing witnesses and compiling credible statements. They might use the statement of an eyewitness or an expert witness to challenge or support evidence provided by other parties.
This is only one of the many benefits of working with a trusted Bronx car accident attorney as soon as possible following your crash.
Why Witnesses Matter in a Car Accident Case
The information in an eyewitness statement can help determine what happened and who was at fault. Their testimony can provide valuable insight and clarification, supporting or challenging the claims made by parties involved in the crash.
Courts and insurance companies view third-party accounts as unbiased and reliable sources of information, making witness testimony a pillar of a strong car accident case.
One of the primary roles of witnesses in a car accident case is to shed light on the events leading up to the accident. They can provide:
- Details about the drivers’ behaviors
- Road conditions
- Traffic law violations that might have led to the collision.
Information in an eyewitness statement can also provide a timeline and determine who was at fault for the crash.
Witnesses can also challenge or support the claims made by the parties involved. Their testimony can either corroborate or contradict the statements of the drivers, passengers, or other parties involved.
If the accounts provided contain inconsistencies, a witness’s testimony can clarify and help paint a more accurate picture of what occurred. The evidence in a witness statement can enhance the chances of success in a car accident case.
While involved parties may have a vested interest in the case, witnesses are often neutral parties who can offer an unbiased account of the events.
Insurance companies rely on witness testimony to make fair and informed judgments when determining liability and settlement amounts. Courts use witness testimony to establish the facts of the case and make informed decisions based on the evidence presented.
Who Can Be a Car Accident Witness?
A witness can be anyone who saw the crash occur, offering an unbiased account to support or challenge information provided by involved parties. It can also be someone examining information at a later date who provides an educated opinion on the matter.
Eyewitness
An eyewitness obtains firsthand knowledge of a crash by seeing it. A car accident attorney can rely on an eyewitness’s statement to give an account of what they saw.
Drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bystanders can give an eyewitness account of a car crash. An eyewitness statement can humanize the events, allowing jurors or the court to connect with the collision at a personal level.
A car accident statement is always careful when dealing with eyewitnesses, as memory fades over time and may be influenced by stress, leading questions, or the passage of time.
Expert Witness
An expert witness is a professional with specialized knowledge in a particular field that can provide valuable insights and evidence to support your claim.
Common examples of expert witnesses include:
- A medical expert witness can explain the extent of your injuries and how they impact your daily life.
- A mechanical engineer expert witness can examine the vehicles involved in the accident and determine if any mechanical failures contributed to the collision.
Other examples of expert witnesses in car accident cases include accident reconstructionists, forensic experts, and psychologists.
How Witness Statements Are Collected
You can collect a witness statement in any of the following methods:
Police Accident Report
On-scene statements to police officers capture the immediate details and impressions of the witnesses. Police officers are trained to conduct thorough investigations and collect factual accounts of the accident.
Their reports serve as valuable evidence and can support your claim when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court.
Follow-up Interviews By a Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident attorney can follow up with witnesses to gather additional information, clarify any details, and ensure a complete and accurate account of the accident.
A lawyer can use the statement to get more detailed insights, provide clarification, or correct any inaccuracies that may have been overlooked initially.
How A Car Accident Attorney Can Help
A strong legal case can make all the difference in getting the compensation you deserve. You must have strong evidence to back your claims, highlighting the importance of an eyewitness statement.
A car accident attorney can obtain and use eyewitness statements to your advantage. They have the professional knowledge and skills to efficiently collect witness statements and ensure accuracy. They understand the importance of obtaining statements as soon as possible after the accident while memories are fresh and details are vivid.
A car accident lawyer is trained to approach potential witnesses politely and professionally, increasing their likelihood of providing accurate and detailed accounts of the incident. After that, an attorney can use the statement to bolster your car accident case. They can present them as evidence during negotiations or in a court trial, supporting your claim and helping to establish liability.
A highly skilled car accident lawyer knows how to effectively present this evidence to maximize its impact and strengthen your position.
Strengthen Your Case With the Help of a Car Accident Attorney
An eyewitness account can strengthen your case if you’ve sustained an injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Even so, your witness must pass the credibility test.
The defense attorney can object to statements if the eyewitness is closely related to the parties involved in the crash. The court may also scrutinize your statement closely if you rely on an eyewitness with a criminal record.
You, therefore, require the knowledge and experience of a personal injury lawyer to vet and compile an eyewitness statement that will benefit your claim.
Speak to an attorney today by scheduling a free consultation.
