What Makes a Good Car Accident Witness? | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

There are many different factors that can have an impact on the success of a car accident lawsuit. One of those factors is witnesses. A Virginia personal injury attorney can use witnesses’ statements and testimony to help provide supporting evidence as to the events that led up to the car accident.

The key, however, is to obtain statements from those witnesses as soon as possible. This is because the longer that goes by following the accident, the more memories may fade, and this lapse of time could be used by the at-fault driver’s defense team as a way to question the credibility of the witnesses’ testimony. This is one reason why it is critical to contact a personal injury lawyer quickly following an accident. Your attorney will contact these potential witnesses and document their statements as potential evidence to prove y our case.

What Makes a Good Witness in a Car Accident Case?

It is not uncommon to see many people milling around a car accident scene, but not everyone at that scene will have witnessed what happened. A good witness that an attorney can use at trial is one who saw the events that led up to the crash, but in order to be effective, the witness must:

  • Not have a history of being dishonest.
  • Not have a vested interest in the outcome of the lawsuit.
  • Not have been distracted when the crash occurred.
  • Not have poor memory or eyesight.
  • Provide clear and consistent statements to the events.

In some cases, witnesses will approach the victim right at the scene and share what they saw, as well as provide their contact information. In other cases, the victim may need to approach those observers to see if anyone saw how the accident happened. Regardless of how a witness is identified at the crash site, victims – if physically possible – will want to do make sure they obtain the names and contact information of any potential witness. If it is possible, it is also a good idea to write down what the witnesses relate at the scene as to what they saw occur.

Filing an Accident Claim

Victims who are injured because of an at-fault driver for the losses those injuries cost them. A victim can seek compensation for all the medical expenses their injuries have cost, such as emergency room treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, doctors’ visits, therapy, medical equipment or devices, medications, and travel expenses for medical treatment.

Many accident victims are unable to work while they are recovering from their injuries and lose income. A victim is entitled to recoup not only the amount they lost in income, but also be reimbursed for benefits they may have used while unable to work, such as vacation time, sick time, or personal time.

In addition to these economic damages, accident victims can also seek damages for the pain they endured from their injuries, the loss of enjoyment in their daily life, and emotional anguish. A Virginia car accident attorney can explain other damages you may be able to seek in your injury claim.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to schedule a free and confidential consultation and discuss what legal recourse you may have.

 

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