How to Collect Witness Statements
Gathering witness statements is one of the most important steps to proving liability in a car accident case. Witnesses can recall details that our memories often forget—like who had the right of way, whether brake lights were used, or if the other driver was distracted. So how do you collect witness statements? Here are some tips:- Ask for contact information from anyone who saw the accident—it doesn’t matter if they don’t have first-hand knowledge of what happened—they might be able to help you track down other witnesses.
- Have them write down as much about the accident as soon as possible, including names and contact info of any other witnesses, what they saw, and how long they’ve been observing the scene.
- Contact each witness by phone and ask them to submit a written statement with all relevant details.
- Ask them to describe their experience and observations in an unfiltered way, without exaggeration or bias on either side of the accident claim.
- Make sure your witnesses understand that you will use their statements in court to get a fair resolution for your claim, so they should not include opinions or assumptions but rather facts only.
- Make sure each statement is signed by the witness and notarized if possible—this lends more credibility to your claim should it be required in mediation or court proceedings later on down the line
Taking Photos of the Scene and Vehicle Damage
Taking photos of the scene and vehicle damage can provide invaluable evidence for your claim. So, if you can snap pictures from different angles as soon as possible. This is especially important if the accident site is likely to change (for example, if it’s in an area with a lot of traffic). Pictures should include the following:- Details of the scene, such as street signs and skid marks.
- All the vehicles involved in the accident.
- Close-up details of any visible vehicle damage.
- Any visible injuries you or your passengers sustained in the accident.
- Any other objects or people at the scene may have been related to the accident (such as witnesses).