Witness statements can be essential to building your case, as they can provide crucial info about how the accident occurred and what factors may have played a role in causing it.
When you’re involved in a car accident, it’s important to gather as much information as possible about the incident. This includes information about the at-fault party, such as their name, contact details, and insurance info. It also includes information about your injuries and other losses sustained in the crash. Perhaps most importantly, however, it includes witness statements.
Witness statements can be essential to building your case, as they can provide crucial info about how the accident occurred and what factors may have played a role in causing it. They can also corroborate key details of your account, such as how fast each driver was going or where you were positioned on the road when the crash occurred. Overall, securing viable witness testimony is one of the most crucial steps in building a successful car accident claim.
FAQs About Witness Statements
How Many Types of Witness Statements Are There?
In the context of a car injury claim, there are generally two types of witness statements: Eyewitness statements and Expert Witness Statements.
- An eyewitness statement comes from someone who directly observed the accident, such as another driver, a pedestrian, or a bystander. These statements typically consist of first-hand observations about what occurred during the accident, including factors like road conditions, weather conditions, and traffic patterns. These witness statements can be particularly useful if there are no other sources of information available about what happened during an incident.
- An expert witness statement comes from someone with expertise on the topic at hand, such as an accident reconstruction specialist or a medical professional. These statements typically provide more technical details about things like vehicle behavior in high-impact collisions or injuries sustained by crash victims based on their diagnosed medical conditions. These details can help clarify questions about how an incident occurred and who may have been responsible for any resulting damage or injuries.
Do I Have to Provide a Witness Statement?
It’s generally not required by law to provide a witness statement, but it may help support your car injury claim. If you choose not to provide one, the insurer may investigate your claims less thoroughly, which could result in a lower settlement offer or denial of your claim altogether.
What Should Be Included in a Witness Statement?
Some things that you may want to include in a witness statement are:
- The full name, address, and contact details of the witness
- The witness’s recollection of events leading up to the accident
- The details of the accident itself
- The witness’s current physical and emotional state
These are just some examples—your attorney will generally include whatever details are important and relevant to your case. The most important thing is ensuring the testimony is honest and accurate.
St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a car accident and need help pursuing your claim, a St. Louis car accident lawyer at The Hoffman Law Firm can help. We have over 20 years of experience protecting the rights of injured car accident victims and can do the same for you. Give us a call 24/7 for a free case evaluation.