How Can Witnesses Help In A Car Accident?

In many cases of car accidents, the cause of the accident or the party who is at fault is not always clear. Most of the time, both drivers start to argue and blame each other for the accident. Sometimes, even the law enforcement officers cannot determine the cause, and thus both drivers are held liable. Because there are many drivers who always blame the other driver for the accident, the importance of a witness or witnesses in a car accident cannot be overstated.

Witnesses can offer important evidence that also helps the police and insurance companies determine who was at fault. This is important because it can also help the injured party obtain compensation for any injuries and damages that they incur. Since the drivers are directly involved in the accident, and because there are very few people in this world who would actually have the courage to take responsibility and admit that they were the ones at fault, it is often the witnesses who can make things clearer.

Witnesses can provide you objective information

Witnesses are in a much better position to observe what went on when the accident occurred because they are not directly involved or hurt.  Because witnesses can significantly help your case if you are not at fault, it is important to speak to the people at the scene of the ancient. Collect as many names as you can because not all will be reliable. In some cases, the witness may be a business owner, gas station employee, construction crew, other motorists, and parking lot attendants. Get their name, address, and phone number because they can provide you and your auto accident lawyer valuable information.

Check for video

In some cases, there may be no human witnesses. For example, if the accident occurs at night or on an isolated road, you have to seek other non-human forms of witness. Today, almost every city and town in the country has a closed-circuit TV (CCTV). Besides the public CCTV cameras, many businesses have these cameras placed in strategic locations. You or your lawyer can speak to the business owner, parking lot attendant,  and other workers to see they use CCTV for monitoring. More often than not, useful information can be obtained from the videos that can help your case.

Check with the police

In some cases, you may be unable to contact witnesses because you may have been injured and taken to the hospital emergency room for treatment. In such cases, contact the police for a report of your accident. Also, in all cases, the police who arrived at the scene will have spoken to bystanders or business owners.  And the police will usually state the name and addresses of these people on the report. You can then contact these witnesses to help bolster your case.

Revisit the scene

Most people who have a car accident almost never go back to the scene. However, the fact is that this endeavor can prove to be very fruitful on many occasions. Sometimes you may come across a business owner or a pedestrian who may have witnessed the accident but was never spoken to by anyone. It is important to go back to the scene within a few days because the memory of the accident is fresh in people’s mind. Talk to your attorney in this regard, and they will be in a better position to go and talk to the witnesses.

Additional witnesses

Sometimes, you may get in touch with one witness who may tell you that they know of others who were at the scene as well. These additional witnesses may be able to provide you more information or fill certain gaps that would make the situation more clear and help determine who was really at fault.

Once you have the names of the witness, the best advice is to give the list to your car accident lawyer, who can contact them. With a witness, your chances of winning a case are very high. If you have been involved in a car accident in Birmingham, AL, you can call our car accident lawyer at Hare, Wynn, Newell and Newton LLP. Our car accident attorneys are well aware of the role witnesses can play in a car accident case. Call us today and provide detailed information about the accident. Our specialized Birmingham personal injury firm can prepare your defense and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.