Why is a Car Accident Witness so Important?

If you’ve been in a car accident, you’re going to need solid evidence in order to prove the wreck wasn’t your fault. No matter how trustworthy you are, your word alone won’t help you get the compensation you deserve. There is no better kind of evidence than the testimony of a neutral witness who saw exactly what happened. Whether your case results in a fair settlement, or it has to be decided in a court of law, witness statements could very well make the difference between you obtaining the money you have coming and getting nothing.

The attorneys with the Jones Law Group know just how critically important an eyewitness can be to a car accident case. We also know how to investigate an accident to uncover the proof you’ll need to have the strongest possible case. Our attorneys will be here for you through every step of your case, and we’ll make sure you’re completely updated at all times.

If you would like to learn more or schedule a free case review, please use our online contact form or call (727) 571-1333.

How to Find a Car Accident Witness

Talking to an eyewitness will be one of the most important things anyone can do after a car accident. You don’t necessarily need to interview people, but you’ll need to try and talk to anyone who saw what happened – as long as you can do so safely, without risking any further injury.

So, how do you go about doing that? Here are a few ways to do so.

• The easiest way, of course, is to talk to people while you’re still at the accident scene. Again, you should only do this if your injuries allow. Don’t risk making things even worse by walking around. If you can, get their names, email addresses and phone numbers.
• Once you’ve received medical attention and received clearance from your doctor, go back to the scene if possible. You might be able to speak with the owner of a business nearby who saw what happened, or someone who walks in the area on a regular basis.
• The police will investigate any accident that leads to an injury. Once the investigation is complete, the officer will fill out a police report. Get a copy as soon as you can, or have your attorney get one. The officer will very likely have spoken to witnesses, and included their statements in the report. This could wind up being critically important to your case.

Eyewitnesses vs. Professional Witnesses

There’s a clear distinction between the two, but both could prove invaluable to proving you weren’t to blame for the accident.

Eyewitnesses are those who were present when the accident took place. As long as the eyewitness wasn’t involved in the crash, and they don’t have any kind of relationship with you or the at-fault driver, their statement will carry a great deal of weight.

But professional witnesses, also known as “expert witnesses,” can be just as important. These are people who have a great deal of expertise in a certain field. They must also be certified according to Florida Statutes. Their testimony can also go a very long way toward helping you achieve a positive result. A medical expert, for example, can show the extent of your injuries, and also show how much your medical expenses will cost.

What Should a Witness Statement Include?

The witness statement in a police report will typically include the following information:

• The name and contact information of the witness.
• The date and time the crash occurred.
• Whether or not they know anyone involved in the accident.
• A description of how the accident took place, and where they were when it happened.
• The witnesses’ account regarding the movements of both drivers. For example, the statement will typically include an eyewitness account regarding whether or not either of the drivers was speeding, using their phone, or ran a red light.

If you’re going to be able to recover the financial losses, or damages, that you’ve incurred, a witness statement will be incredibly important.

How Can Witnesses Help Prove What Happened?

Suppose, for example, a pedestrian carelessly darted in front of your car, without bothering to even use the crosswalk. You had to slam on your brakes as a result, and another vehicle hit the back of yours. If that pedestrian disappears, and no one saw what they did, the other driver could claim you caused the accident by braking suddenly.

But on the other hand, if there was a witness, they can explain what happened. It’s important that you not only get the contact information of an eyewitness, but that your attorney gets in touch with them as quickly as possible, before their memory of the accident starts to fade.

Witness Statements Will Help Your Case

The faster that statement is gathered, the better it will be for your chances of obtaining compensation. It’s not an overstatement to say that a witness statement is one of the most powerful pieces of evidence you could hope to gather. They will not only provide an impartial account, they can also provide information that shows – beyond a shadow of a doubt – that the at-fault driver is responsible for the wreck.

If that at-fault driver, or that driver’s insurance company, tries to claim otherwise, you’ll have the proof to contradict their claims. You could very well receive a significant amount of money as a result holding those responsible for your injury accountable for their negligence.

Contact Jones Law Group for a Free Case Evaluation

The personal injury attorneys with the Jones Law Group are standing by to help if you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault. We have a great deal of experience, and we also have a long track record of successfully representing clients in cases similar to yours.

Get in touch with us for a free consultation by giving us a call at (727) 571-1333 or contacting us online. Let us put our knowledge, skill and resources to work for you.