The Ultimate Talk – Questions to Ask the Accident Witness

Car accidents happen daily, and many people are involved. One of the ways to prove negligence is to use facts gathered from witnesses who saw the accident happen. Witness statements are vital in ensuring that you get compensated for your injuries.

Quick Fact

Without witnesses, it is your work against the driver’s. You can guess the direction of the ruling.

At times, it is easy to determine who caused the accident, but other times you need to dig deeper to come up with ways to convince the insurer that he has to pay for damages.

One thing you don’t know is that the police report isn’t as important as you think it is. Presenting the report as evidence is also a good idea, but it won’t determine who was responsible for the accident. All the police officers do is control the situation and come up with a report that outlines the statements given by the involved parties.

It is up to you and your Daytona Beach car accident lawyer to prove that negligence happened using your collected evidence.

The Role of the Witnesses in an Accident

An eyewitness account is crucial to the court’s decision and the amount you receive as compensation. This is because he witnessed the accident happen, and he can recount it to the insurer or the judge and corroborate your story.

Many cases have been won just because the victim managed to get credible witness statements on time.

However, there is a certain way to talk to the witnesses to help you get more compensation. Let us look at the information you need to collect.

What the Witness Saw Right Before the Accident

Ask the witness to share what they saw, in simple words, before and during the accident. When doing so, take care not to share your version of events because, obviously, they will try and align with your story to please you.

The first recollection is usually the most accurate. If possible, record their statement using your phone so that you can replay it later. Once you get their version of the story, you can compare it with what you remember and conclude if the witness is telling the truth or if he has made it all up.

Their Location in Relation To the Accident

Understanding the location of the witness in relation to the accident can help you get an idea of what actually happened.

If they were located far from the accident, it is highly unlikely that they witnessed everything. If they were close enough, they can easily recount what took place more clearly, and it is safe to assume they can add value to your claim.

How Much They Witnessed

Another important aspect that you need to establish is how much of the accident they witnessed.

Asking them this question gives them time to rethink and remember more events than before. They might have seen the entire accident, which is a plus for you, or just a part of it. They might have been blocked by other onlookers or other cars.

Whichever way that part that they witnesses is still crucial to your claim and can add credibility to your evidence, don’t ignore it.

Who Else Saw The Accident

The witness might be in a better position to recognize someone else that was at the scene earlier than them. Having another person who witnessed the accident can add some credibility to your claim.

There is strength in numbers even in a car accident claim; having more people to corroborate your story is better than none.

The People They Have Already Talked To

In some cases, the witness might leave the scene of the accident without talking to anyone. All they aimed for was to assist the injured, after which they left because they didn’t see any importance in talking to the police.

If the witness hasn’t recorded a statement with the police, then convince them to do so. If they have already recorded a statement, request a copy from the police before you leave the scene.

Don’t forget to get the witness’s phone number and their address, because you might have to contact them to come and testify.

Do You have Any Questions About Talking to Witnesses

If you have any questions regarding handling witnesses at the scene of the accident, contact a Daytona Beach car accident lawyer today.