The Role of Eyewitnesses in a Car Accident Case

When you first meet with your attorney to discuss your car accident case, they are likely to ask you about any eyewitnesses you may have spoken with. While those who were in the vehicle with you may be helpful, it’s even better if you have completely neutral eyewitnesses who can comment on what happened. Eyewitnesses can play an important role in building your case and holding the liable party accountable.

Ready to start your car accident claim? Let the team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman help you. Call us at 866-565-4949 to set up a time to talk now.

Providing a Neutral Perspective of the Accident

One of the biggest things an eyewitness can do for your case is provide a completely neutral and objective perspective of what actually happened. Those directly involved in a crash often struggle to know exactly what happened. Accidents happen quickly, and there’s only so much information you can take in—this is especially true if you are injured in an accident.

Eyewitnesses may be horrified by the crash, but they’re still likely to have a more complete view of what transpired. They are likely to have noticed details that neither party observed, which can help the attorneys and insurance companies better understand who is liable.

Offering Context to Each Driver’s Actions

Eyewitnesses can also provide context to the accident. Each driver’s actions are important in an accident case, and an eyewitness may have firsthand information that can help one side or the other. Consider a crash where you are sideswiped by a driver who drifted into your lane and tore off the side of your vehicle.

An eyewitness may stop and tell you that they were passed by the same driver and noticed that they were looking down at their phone and texting the entire time. Once your lawyer gets ahold of this information, they can use it to subpoena the driver’s cell phone records and solidify your claim. An eyewitness may also notice anything either driver did to mitigate the crash, such as swerving to avoid the collision or attempting to brake. If one driver took evasive action and the other didn’t, that is also useful information.

Verifying Core Facts of the Case

In some situations, the drivers disagree on the basic core facts of a collision. Unless there is physical evidence backing up one side or the other, it can be difficult to tell who is telling the truth. A good eyewitness may clear up these disagreements and provide clear, black-and-white answers to important questions.

They can clarify the weather conditions at the time of the collision, who had the green light, and whether or not both drivers stopped at the stop sign. Not only does this help prove that you are telling the truth about what happened during the crash, but it also strengthens your credibility in the eyes of the insurance company.

Strengthening Your Case in Negotiations or Court

When you look at the sum total of everything an eyewitness does and says, it’s obvious that their input, insight, and observations may make your car accident claim as strong as possible before you take it to the car insurance company. While it’s helpful to know what happened and tell the truth, your word only goes so far—the insurance company knows you have a vested interest in telling a story that benefits you. When you have a neutral eyewitness who doesn’t stand to gain anything from either side winning, their input is valued by both sides.

If your case goes to court, your attorney may use your eyewitness statements to create a strong and compelling narrative that bolsters your claim and proves the other side’s liability. This can do a lot when it comes to convincing a jury.

Injured in a Car Crash? Call Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman Now

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car crash, getting the compensation you deserve is your top priority. We’re here to advocate for you every step of the way. Take the first step now by setting up a free consultation with our team of personal injury attorneys. Set up your meeting now by calling us at 866-565-4949 or sending us a message via our online contact form.