Why Witness Statements Are Important After an Auto Accident
While a car accident may feel like it lasts forever, it all actually happens in the blink of an eye. During that time, there’s only so much you can truly observe and take in—and it’s generally less than you think. How, then, are you supposed to prove what happened and get the compensation you deserve? There are lots of types of evidence available to victims like you, and one of the most valuable is an eyewitness statement.
Find out how witness statements can strengthen your personal injury claim, and to get more guidance regarding your injury claim, call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-300-2754.
Prove What Happened
An eyewitness can provide verification of what actually happened during the accident. Since they weren’t physically involved in the accident, their version of events is much more likely to be objective and unbiased. They may also have access to information that you do not.
For example, they may have been able to see you try to avoid the accident or the other driver not make any attempt to slow down. Some issues tend to be “he said/she said” in legal settings, and an eyewitness can be a helpful tiebreaker. Perhaps you know the other party’s light was red when the accident occurred, but they insist that their light was green and that yours was red. If the eyewitness can verify that your light was in fact green, that is very helpful for your case.
Provide Valuable Context
In some accidents, the at-fault driver has a history of unsafe or negligent driving behavior. This often happens during highway accidents when one party causes a crash by swerving in and out of traffic, following way too closely, or engaging in other reckless driving maneuvers. If an eyewitness to their unsafe driving later sees that they were involved in a crash, they may stop to tell the other driver what they observed. While this doesn’t necessarily prove that they caused the crash, it does give helpful insight into their general driving habits and patterns.
Back Up Your Retelling
Your retelling of the accident may fade over time. In the hours after a crash, it may feel like you can’t stop it from playing over and over again in your head. But as time passes, you’ll find it more and more difficult to remember the small details of the crash. A witness’s statement can be useful in that area, as it may refresh your memories or help you better recall the important parts of the crash.
Support Your Injury Claims
Proving the extent of an injury is tough, especially when you’re dealing with an insurance company that is determined to believe that victims always overstate their injuries to boost their compensation. An eyewitness who actually saw the extent of your injuries at the crash scene can be a great resource in a personal injury claim. If they saw you writhing in pain, crying, grabbing your injured body part, or being unable to move, they may be able to prove that your injury claims were not overblown or exaggerated.
Talk to Witnesses at the Scene
To use eyewitnesses to the greatest extent possible, talk to them as soon as possible at the scene of the crash. Whenever possible, get their contact information before you or they leave. It is much harder to track down a witness days or weeks after a crash than it is to connect with them at the accident scene.
As soon as you have their contact information, provide it to your attorney so they can get in touch with them. It’s often useful to get a recorded statement from them as early as possible before the memories of the crash start to fade. Remember, if someone stopped at the scene, they likely want to help—so don’t be afraid to ask.
Start Your Claim with the Team at Reeves & Mestayer
Looking for an attorney that can make full use of your eyewitness statements and other evidence? It’s time to talk to the team at Reeves & Mestayer. Feel confident knowing that your claim is in the hands of experienced and committed personal injury attorneys. To schedule a consultation now, call us at 228-300-2754 or fill out our online contact form.
