Approaching a Witness After a Car Accident

Every year, there are more than 395,000 car accidents here in the state of Florida. Even the simplest of accidents can have a dramatic impact on your health, life and finances. Many people who are injured in accidents therefore pursue compensation afterward from an insurance company or the individual responsible. In this circumstance, you might be wondering what steps you should take to make it more likely that you’ll be able to make an effective claim. Proving the truth is not always easy for personal injury claims, especially because adverse parties often try to hide details or spin the facts as time goes by. Personal injury cases involve many different types of evidence and one of the most important aspects of a personal injury claim is the role of witnesses who can help you establish credibility and prove the facts of your case.

How Should You Approach a Witness?

If you find yourself in the unfortunate predicament of being hurt by someone else’s actions, you will probably be wondering what your next step should be. The first thing you should do after an accident is seek emergency medical treatment if you are injured. Afterward, you should converse with your witnesses as soon as is feasible. Do not hesitate to engage any witnesses as quickly as possible if you believe they may have seen what transpired. It is especially important to understand that it is common for witnesses to be present when you are injured but also disappear afterward or refuse to help you when asked. When approaching a witness, ensure that you:

• Identify yourself in a polite way
• Inquire whether he or she saw what happened
• Explicitly ask whether the person is willing to be a witness
• If there’s agreement, ask for a name, phone number, address and email
• Request that he or she stay until the police arrive

What Are the Types of Witnesses and How Can They Help Your Case?

• Accident witnesses – as outlined above, anyone who was present at the time of your injury or accident can testify as to what he or she saw.
• Expert witnesses – these witnesses can offer their expertise to help demonstrate that the other party is negligent or to show how the kind of accident you were involved in might have produced the injuries you allege.

Let Us Advocate For You.

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident or on someone else’s property, you will need an experienced legal team to help you gather the evidence you might need to successfully pursue a claim. Obtaining legal help as quickly as possible following an accident can help you ensure that you gather strong evidence in a timely manner, making it more likely that you’ll be able to recover damages for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. As the Fort Myers personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm, we can take a look at the circumstances of your injuries and help you understand whether witnesses might be helpful for proving your personal injury claim. For more information on the importance of evidence and witnesses, contact us today for a complimentary review of your case.

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