Why Are Witnesses Important in Car Accident Cases?

With some car accidents, it is fairly simple to determine what happened. They are not that complicated. When someone is rear ended, for instance, it is usually very clear that the behind vehicle doing the rear ending is at fault. But some car and truck accidents are not that simple. Some accidents may involve multiple vehicles and have multiple drivers at least partially at fault for the entire crash. This is one of the reasons why witness testimony is so important. Not every case will have clear video of the accident. Sometimes, the car accident lawyers have to recreate the crash by using witness testimony. This article will discuss the importance of witness testimony and the things that a witness is competent to testify about.

Is Witness Testimony Reliable?

Most people think witness testimony is always reliable, but that’s not really the case. Over time, people’s memories can fade and their recollection may be a little fuzzy. That is why it is very important to get recorded statements from witnesses as soon after a car crash as possible. With a recorded statement, the witness’ memory can be refreshed if they have to testify years after the collision. In many car accident cases, if the case goes to trial, it would take years to get to that point. If a recorded statement of the witness isn’t available, the witness may not be very helpful.

The most reliable witness testimony is when it is combined with other types of evidence. For example, when there are three witnesses to a car crash and all three people basically say the same thing happened, then most likely their version of the facts is probably accurate. Another good combination is witness testimony that is combined with photographs or video. In some cases, a witness might have a different vantage point to where a camera is located and can add detail that the video could not.

The bottom line is that, if possible, you should get the name and contact information of any witness who is at the scene of the accident. A good Tennessee car accident lawyer will make sure that every witness is spoken to and their recorded statements are taken to preserve their recollections and to be able to refresh their memories later on if they have to testify at trial.

Most auto accident litigation does not go to trial. With a good lawyer who knows the law and knows how to work up a case and do everything necessary, the defendant driver’s insurance company will most likely want to settle before trial. But sometimes, trials are necessary, so everything that can be done to prepare for trial should be done. In these instances, witness testimony is very important.

The law office of Robert Bates & Associates have been successfully representing car accident victims for years. We have successfully represented hundreds of clients who have been seriously injured in a car crash. Our clients usually come from Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport, Tennessee. However, we also help people from all over the state of Tennessee. Contact us for a free consultation.

Robert BatesRobert is a Kingsport trial lawyer who handles car, truck and motorcycle wreck cases across the Tri-Cities. Every client gets his cell number.