After you’ve been hurt in an accident, you’ll need to gather as much evidence as you can. This includes writing down detailed notes at the scene of the accident, taking photographs of both vehicles and any skid marks, and talking to law enforcement so that you can obtain a police report.
An important way to provide impartial evidence for your case is by assuring the police have witness information. Anyone who saw or heard any part of the accident may be able to provide valuable information about what actually happened. Statements from witnesses may be able to confirm your version of the story, or they may be able to provide important details that you weren’t aware of, such as overhearing a statement made by the other driver admitting they were at fault.
In the event of an accident and dealing with witnesses, it is incredibly important to reach out to a personal injury lawyer to get experienced counsel right away so that your investigator can get to the witnesses and get them interviewed for your case.
Locating Witnesses to Your Car Wreck
In some locations, you may be able to identify people who witnessed the accident while you are still at the scene. If possible, you or a family member should approach them immediately to obtain their contact information.
The sooner police get statements from witnesses, the more reliable this information is likely to be. If too much time passes, people’s memory of specific details may fade and be less accurate. If you have friends or relatives who witnessed the accident, you ought to have them write down details as soon as possible so that their memory of what happened won’t become distorted as time passes.
Returning to the Scene of the Accident
If you did not identify witnesses while you were at the scene of the accident, the police may be able to find some by returning to the scene soon after the accident. People who own a nearby business or people who live or work near where it happened may have seen or heard something, such as the other driver driving too fast or running a red light. They may also be able to provide a statement regarding the road or weather conditions. Help police identify potential witnesses that they can go back and speak with.
Information You Need from Witnesses
Witnesses who clearly saw your vehicle hit by another vehicle through no fault of your own will probably be willing to make a statement. Try to get their name, address, phone number so the police, and possibly the insurance companies, can interview them.
People are sometimes reluctant to get involved, especially if they expect to be asked to testify in court. If they seem uncomfortable with getting involved, reassure them that they may just need to give a verbal testimony and may not have to appear in court. Appeal to their human side by getting them to empathize with you. Ask if they will be willing to receive a phone call from your attorney or the insurance company just to confirm that they are a real person who has information about what happened on the day of your accident.
Getting Legal Advice on Dealing with Witnesses
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s important to discuss what happened with an experienced personal injury lawyer. At Taos Injury Lawyers, we have extensive experience in the field of personal injury law. We can help you gather witnesses, talk to them and decide whether they can help your case in court. Fill out our contact form and we will be in touch very soon to set up a consultation.