For many claims, Seattle car accident witness statements play a critical role in proving who was at fault in the accident. Despite this fact, many Seattle residents may not understand what witness statements are and how they are used in claims. Especially for more tricky accidents where fault is less straightforward, using witnessed testimony in auto accident claims is the best way to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
At NBF Accident Law, our auto accident attorneys in Seattle, Washington, are here to provide our clients with the legal guidance they need as they navigate car accident claims. Our attorney will work tirelessly on your behalf to protect your rights and help you gather important evidence, such as witness statements.
Who Can Be Witnesses in Car Accident Claims?
One of the main things you need to understand about Seattle car accident witness statements is who is considered to be a witness. A witness statement can be provided by anyone who was not directly involved in the accident but witnessed some aspect of it. They can provide a detailed account of what they saw, which can provide insight into what caused the accident and which driver was at fault.
Here is a breakdown of the most common types of witnesses who can provide a statement for your claim:
- Other drivers who were nearby when the collision happened.
- Passengers who were in vehicles that were at the scene of the accident.
- Pedestrians who were nearby when the accident occurred.
- EMTs and police officers who were first responders at the scene of the collision.
What Makes a Good Witness?
Even though witnesses and car accidents are important, you also want to make sure they will truly benefit your claim. Unfortunately, there are some instances where witnesses may not provide credibility, which can actually negatively impact your claim.
A good witness needs to be entirely impartial so that their statement is believable. This is why it is usually best to use witness statements from individuals who have no connection to you to avoid the credibility of the witness being brought into question.
Overall, a good witness needs to be neutral and not have any direct connection to either party who was involved in the collision.
How Witness Statements Support Your Claim
Gathering witness statements in Seattle car accident cases is essential, but how exactly does this help you get compensation? There are many different elements that make up successful car accident claims, and it is beneficial to understand how each of these elements can help.
Here are some examples of how a reliable witness in car accident cases can improve your chances of getting the compensation you deserve:
- Additional details: When you get into a collision, it is very likely that you have missed important details that could support your claim. Witness testimonies provide the perfect opportunity to fill in missing details, such as whether or not the other driver was speeding or if they were on their phone.
- Collaboration: Any type of car accident claim can easily come down to he said, she said, especially in more complex cases. Having witness statements can collaborate with your account of how the accident happened, providing credibility and making your side of the story more believable.
- Objectivity: Even if witnesses collaborate on your account and don’t provide additional details, they still provide objectivity. A judge may be more likely to believe a third party’s account since they are detached from the situation and will not necessarily be impacted by the outcome of the claim.
Using Witness Statements in Your Claim
When you are ready to submit your auto accident claim in Seattle, Washington, you should provide witness statements with your other pieces of evidence. Keep in mind that you are not necessarily responsible for collecting witness statements yourself. When you hire an auto accident attorney, they will reach out to witnesses and do this for you.
It is usually best to leave this task to your attorney as they will know what questions to ask and can ask them impartially.
Additionally, if you were unable to get the contact information of witnesses at the scene of the collision, the police report should have some information. The police may have taken their own witness statements and included it in the report or may include witness contact information.
FAQ Section
Can a witness refuse to provide a statement?
Anyone who witnesses a car accident is not legally required to provide their contact information, give a statement, or otherwise provide assistance in any way. That is why it is important to approach them in the right way and to leave the majority of communication to an attorney.
How many witnesses do you need for a strong case?
There is no specific number of witnesses you need for a strong auto accident claim as it is dependent on each individual situation. Generally, it is more important to find high-quality witnesses rather than several witnesses with weak statements.
What if there are no witnesses to my accident?
It can be much more challenging to get the compensation you deserve if there are no witnesses to the auto accident. To make up for this, you need to provide additional evidence, such as photos and video footage, and you can also get the professional statement of a collision expert. Additionally, you may be able to get a responding EMT or police officer to provide a witness statement based on their professional opinion of how the accident occurred.
Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer at NBF Accident Law
In many instances, Seattle car accident witness statements can make or break your claim, especially if fault isn’t incredibly straightforward. Witness statements back up your side of the story and provide additional information regarding the accident that may not be available anywhere else.
At NBF Accident Law, our auto accident lawyers will fight purposefully on behalf of our Seattle clients, helping you build a strong claim. We will help you every step of the way, from filing your claim to collecting evidence to negotiating with insurance companies.
Contact us today at 206-923-8888 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.
