5 Questions To Ask a Car Accident Witness
Car accidents are an unfortunate reality in Kentucky. Every year, there are more than 100,000 traffic accidents in Kentucky. After a Kentucky car accident, it is vital to identify as many witnesses as possible. If you are involved in a Kentucky car accident because of the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation. Witness statements can be crucial for your personal injury case. Witnesses can help establish the facts of your accident. At the accident scene, you may be unable to gather detailed information beyond the witnesses’ names and contact information because of your injuries. However, after you have sought medical treatment, you can follow up with the witnesses. When following up with car accident witnesses, knowing the questions to ask is crucial. Ideally, you should collaborate with an attorney in questioning witnesses. That said, below are some important questions to ask a car accident witness.
- Can you describe in detail what you saw?
It is important to start by asking a car accident witness to describe in detail what they saw. A witness may have seen the accident taking place, or they might have arrived at the scene after the accident had occurred. However, even someone who was not present when the accident happened can still offer helpful information. Pay attention to the details the witness provides.
- Where were you when you saw what you saw?
Was the witness in another vehicle next to you? Were they in a building across the road? Ensure you understand the witness’s location relative to your accident. The location of a witness relative to an accident can determine their reliability. The closer a witness was to the accident, the more reliable they may be. If a witness was further away, the defendant’s attorney might try to argue that they did not have a clear view of the accident and thus could not make a valid statement.
- What were the weather and road conditions?
Weather and road conditions can contribute to a car accident. Remember to ask about the weather and road conditions when the accident happened. Additionally, ask if a witness thinks the weather or road conditions contributed to the accident.
- Did you notice any traffic violations?
A witness may have observed the other driver running a red light, speeding, or failing to yield the right of way. A statement detailing the traffic offense a witness saw the other driver violate can help establish negligence.
- Did you hear the other driver say anything after the collision?
When questioning a witness, find out if they heard the other driver say anything after the accident. Sometimes, after a car accident, the at-fault driver may share information that can be valuable to the claimant. For example, maybe the witness heard the driver apologizing for distracted driving.
- Can you make a statement to the police?
A witness statement given to the police carries significant legal weight. Recording a statement with the police makes it more credible. It makes a witness more reliable.
Contact Us for Legal Help
At Cessna & George Law Firm, our London and Southeast Kentucky car accident attorneys possess the skills to locate and interview witnesses. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Source:
wp.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Kentucky-Traffic-Collision-Facts-2022-Report.pdf
