Questions to Ask a Car Accident Witness
Car accident witnesses are in a unique position to help victims. Witnesses are people at the scene who saw what happened before, during or directly after a car accident. They often have facts and information about the car accident that victims can use to bring claims against the at-fault party.
If you get injured in a car accident, don’t leave the scene without getting the names and phone numbers of eyewitnesses. You can question them while still at the scene, or later with help from a car accident attorney. Obtaining statements from eyewitnesses can give you evidence to use during your injury claim.
When Did the Witness Arrive on the Scene?
Confirming the exact time and date of the car accident can help investigators and crash reconstruction experts piece together how the accident happened. Ask the witness to give a timeline of events, starting from where the witness was before the crash occurred. Ask the witness where he or she was coming from and where he or she was going at the time of the collision, and ask if the victim knows exactly what time the crash took place.
Where Was the Witness Looking Before and During the Accident?
The goal of questioning car accident witnesses is to obtain firsthand knowledge from someone who obtained a clear view of the crash. Have the witness describe where he or she was looking before, during and after the car accident. The direction the witness was staring can determine the angle from which the witness viewed the crash, as well as whether the victim saw the entire crash or only part of it.
Did the Witness Have a Clear View of the Car Accident?
Ask the witness if he or she had a clear view of the collision or if something was impeding the witness’s vision, such as fog or a roadway sign. If the witness can, have him or her describe the scene of the accident in detail, including traffic lights, lanes, signs and the vehicles involved. Ask where the vehicles were positioned before, during and after the car accident. If the witness had a clear view, his or her testimony will be more valuable.
How Far Away Was the Witness From the Crash?
Make a note of exactly where the witness was standing and how long the witness had been in that position at the time of the accident. The distance between the location of the collision and where the witness was standing can determine if the witness’s account is accurate.
What Were the Weather and Road Conditions Like?
Write down the witness’s impression or observations of how the weather was at the time of the car accident. Ask the witness if he or she noticed any bad weather or road conditions that could have contributed to the accident, such as rain, sleet, fog, ice, hail, a crossing animal, a pothole or a broken traffic light.
What Did the Witness See?
Finally, have the witness describe the accident from his or her point of view. Have the witness start with a broad description of what he or she saw. Then, the witness should go into more detail, giving specific facts about everything. Ask the witness for particulars such as distance estimates, the positions of both vehicles, the estimated speeds of the cars and more.
While still at the scene of the car accident, use your cell phone to record verbal statements from witnesses, or write down as much as you can and have the witness sign the paper. You can also call the police and an officer will talk to eyewitnesses and collect statements for you while you receive emergency medical care.
Avoid opinions and speculation in witness statements as much as possible. Opinions or he-said, she-said statements may not be admissible as evidence during your car accident case. The more clear, detailed and factual the witness statement, the stronger it will be. A car accident attorney in Lowell can help you obtain and use witness statements for your injury claim.