Sometimes there may not have been witnesses at the scene of the crash who spoke with police, or an active investigation, or perhaps your injuries were so severe you were not able to reach out to others at the time of the accident, but you may be able to speak to witnesses included in the police report, or locate other witnesses by returning to the site of the crash. Gathering motor vehicle accident evidence, including witness statements demonstrating what occurred and who may be at legal fault, generally leads to a fair settlement. How To Find Motor Vehicle Accident Witnesses The information you collect may assist your injury attorneys in building a solid case. A Kentucky motor vehicle accident attorney will be the best person to help determine what information is needed and critical to present your case, including deciding if a witness’s statement or testimony will help. Sometimes a witness says that they don’t want to get involved or make a statement on-the-record, but having their contact information will be helpful if needed at a hearing, a deposition, or to testify at trial in your defense. Can I give you my phone number in case you remember something else?.Did you speak to anyone involved? What did they say?. Are there any other people that may have observed what happened?.Did anyone leave the scene before police arrived, such as a passenger or the driver of another car involved?.Did anyone appear to be injured as they exited a vehicle?.Did you notice any road interference, big trucks, motorcycles, or pedestrians at the scene?.Can you describe the traffic conditions?.Did you hear anything odd before, during, or after the accident?.What happened to the people involved or injured after the accident?.Where did the cars end up after the crash?.What direction was each vehicle traveling?.Can you describe the vehicles involved?.What is the order you saw things happen in?.Can you confirm the location you were at (street, intersection, what direction you were facing, sitting or standing, inside your car)?. Where were you when you first realized there was an accident?.Are you comfortable with me recording our conversation on my phone?.These are a few sample questions that could help you understand what might be needed when looking for an unbiased statement from a witness. When the responses are factual, and not personal opinions or assumptions, this type of feedback can become reliable pieces of evidence in piecing together the accident timeline and proving negligence. And if the witness is willing, you may also request that information on your own in the form of writing or recorded video and talk with others on the scene. Sample Questions to Ask Car Accident WitnessesĪfter being involved in an accident, the police should have been called and will gather witness statements to include in the accident report. It’s best to collect witness statements at the scene or as soon as possible after, to present a transparent and credible report. If involved in an accident and able to connect with witnesses at the scene, a person can request the witness to provide written statements, including what they remember about the crash events, or if the party is willing, a conversation could be recorded using a smartphone. The details a witness can share will create a narrative of what happened and provide the who, when, why, and what involved, and how the crash was caused to help establish and prove fault. The witnesses might be a driver or passenger in a vehicle involved, a pedestrian, neighbors, nearby business employees or patrons, or motorists who were not involved but stopped at the scene to help. Accident witness observations may include what a person saw, heard, or the scene before, during, and after the crash. Individuals who witness a car accident can serve an essential role in providing the evidence needed, so victims who are injured get justice and compensation is received for all damages. Identify Witnesses and Collect Statements After a Car Accident
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