Should I Get Witness Information After an Accident?
Getting the compensation you need from insurance following an accident can be difficult, especially if there is missing information surrounding the incident. If someone did witness the crash, it is important to get their name and contact information in case you need to contact them to testify on your behalf. Witnesses provide an impartial perspective in car accidents, often assisting you in collecting the entirety of your claim.
In this blog, our Conway motor vehicle accident lawyer discusses the importance of witness statements following a crash and the process of obtaining witness testimony.
Witness Testimony Can Corroborate Your Version of Events
Typically, an eyewitness is not emotionally invested in the outcome of your claim. Rather, eyewitnesses will relay what they saw or heard in the moments leading to the accident and directly afterward. Witness testimony at a deposition or trial can be used to determine liability, helping you to recover the full extent of your injuries and other accident-related losses.
Witness Testimony Can Confirm Your Injuries
It is not out of the question for an insurance company to claim that your injuries are unrelated to your accident. While taking photos of your injuries and providing a physician’s notes can be useful, having a witness who was at the scene speak to the extent of your injuries can be very valuable to your case.
Witness Testimony Can Provide Missing Information
Bystanders can view your accident through a different lens, allowing them to see or hear things that you may have missed. For instance, you may not have realized that the at-fault driver was looking at his or her cell phone the moment prior to the collision. Be aware that an impartial perspective does not necessarily support your claim since a spectator may have seen something that could increase your liability.
Process of Identifying Potential Witnesses
In the aftermath of your accident, once your vehicle is pulled to the side of the road and you have examined yourself for injuries, look for any potential witnesses. If you see pedestrians, cyclists, or bystanders at the accident scene, approach them and ask if they would be willing to provide a statement. If so, write down their names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. You can also look to see if any houses or businesses may have video equipment that captured the whole accident.
What if the Witness Statement Increases My Liability?
Third-party testimony that supports the statement you provided to a police officer or insurance company can certainly strengthen your credibility. Even though you may fear that your claim will be denied if you are found at fault, this is not true. Under South Carolina law, you are able to recover in a car accident claim as long as you are less at fault than the defendant. If your liability is greater than the defendant, then you will be barred from recovery.
At The Law Office of Brad C. Richardson, our Conway motor vehicle accident attorney works tirelessly to clarify the role that our clients play in a collision, forcing the insurance company to award the entirety of damages due to them. Our firm is never complacent, always striving to achieve the best possible case outcome for our clients.
Reach Out to Our Conway Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
A car accident involves many moving parts, making it difficult to know exactly what occurred in the moment before your crash. If you have recently been in a motor vehicle collision, do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Brad C. Richardson. A skilled Conway motor vehicle accident attorney can help you collect the evidence you need to determine the other driver’s liability, allowing you to recover fair compensation. To learn more about our services or to arrange your consultation, contact us online or by phone today.
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