When a car accident occurs, some people may witness it. These witnesses may saw things that the drivers involved may not be aware of. Witness accounts can be helpful or hurtful to a driver’s claim for compensation.
If you sustained injuries in a car accident that was caused by a careless driver, car accident attorneys Los Angeles can discuss your legal options in a free initial consultation. If a lawyer determines that you have a case, they will throughout investigate your accident and talk to witnesses.
Impact of Witness Statements on Your Accident Claim
Accident witnesses can give important evidence in a car crash due to the objective perspective they can offer regarding the accident. Witness statements may support your claim, help dispute the version of events of the other driver, or demonstrate inconsistent statements that the at-fault driver may make.
To recover compensation for your injuries, you need to prove the other driver acted negligently and caused the crash. These could include violating traffic laws, running a stop sign, driving while distracted, and speeding. Witnesses can explain how this driver was negligent based on what they saw. For instance, they probably saw the at-fault driver texting or talking to someone on their phone when the accident occurred. Witnesses are not associated with any of the parties involved in a car accident and have no vested interest in the claim’s outcome.
Finding Witnesses
Pedestrians are often competent witnesses to car accidents. Witnesses also include other drivers on the roadway as long as they had a clear view of the accident. Car accidents that happen during the day are usually observed by construction, road, and utility workers. Due to their close proximity, they usually have a good view of the crash scene. In addition, if a witness called 911 when the accident happened, the operator will usually record the caller’s name and phone number, so the victim can reach out to them. Other places to find witnesses include businesses in the vicinity of the car accident. The crash may have been witnessed by an employee of these businesses or captured on a surveillance camera installed at a nearby store.
When to Get Statements from Witnesses
Getting statements from witnesses can be tricky, particularly when the injured victim’s passenger was also injured. Following the crash, the victim must seek immediate medical attention. If their injury is not serious and they can safely do so, they can get the names and contact numbers of witnesses who are there at the crash scene. An experienced attorney can determine when and how the statement could affect a victim’s case.
