Witnesses are third party whose testimony is unbiased. Credible witness testimony is important to prove your claim. Although it is best to get the witness’s contact information at the site of the accident, it is not always possible if you have been seriously injured. Fortunately, there are several avenues you can adopt to find eyewitnesses for your case. The lawyers at Ellis Law Corporation have also provided some additional insight on how important it is to have a witness.
Importance of Witness Testimony
Witnesses provide credibility to the accounts of the accident and have a huge impact on the outcome of any personal injury lawsuit. If you were driving with a relative, their statements do not hold much importance as they may not be considered a neutral party. Any third-party witnesses on the other hand are unbiased and they do not have any personal interest in the outcome of your case. These eyewitnesses are simply stating the facts they saw during or just after the accident, which can help build a case in your favor.
How can you locate Eyewitnesses?
Here are some ways you can trace eyewitnesses to obtain their testimony:
At the time of the Accident: If your injuries are not serious, you can talk to eyewitnesses at the scene of the accident and collect their contact information such as name, number, email, home address. Include additional information such as their location at the time of the incident, where were they coming from, or going to when the collision took place.
Return to the Accident Site: Return to the accident scene at the earliest possible time and gather information from businesses around the accident site. You can talk to the employees or residents living in the vicinity to find out if they have witnessed the accident.
Through Eyewitnesses Themselves: You should ensure that you collect as much information possible to make a strong case. You may be able to receive valuable testimony in your favor by asking eyewitnesses if they know anyone else who witnessed the accident and can provide details about the same.
Through Police Reports: The investigating officer that responds to the car accident creates a police report which includes important information about the accident such as names and contact information of eyewitnesses. You can use this information to contact eyewitnesses and receive their testimony for your lawsuit or insurance claims.
Through Medical Emergency Responders: Emergency responders would not have witnessed the crash, but they still may be able to help you as they are one of the first entities to visit the site after the accident. They can offer valuable information such as was the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, what were the injuries suffered and so on.
Why should you hire a good car accident attorney?
Insurance companies take legitimate witness statements into consideration and you may miss out on important details if time has lapsed and the witness no longer recalls the details of the accident. Therefore, it is crucial to obtain legal assistance as soon as possible in an event that you or your loved one were seriously injured in a car accident.
An expert car accident attorney has complete understanding of how insurance companies function in giving out compensation and how several variables affect the witness’s credibility. A good lawyer will help you find critical eyewitnesses whose testimony can help you win your case and get compensation for the damages and injuries you have suffered.
