Witness Statement – An Important but Overlooked Piece of Evidence

 In addition to the pictures and videos of the accident scene, a witness’s statement is a good way to prove that you were not the one at fault. Atlanta car accident lawyers also advise people to talk with witnesses as soon as possible to get a firsthand and fresh account of the accident before they forget about what they saw. Here is a list of questions that you can ask the eyewitnesses present at the scene.

1) What did you see?

First, you need to take account of what they saw. This account of the accident should be in their own words, and you must ask them first before sharing your account of the accident. When they give you an answer, then you can determine whether their statement is correct or not.

2) Did you witness the entire accident from start to finish?

Another thing you should ask is how much did they see. This will make them recall what they saw, thus allowing you to better account for the events that occurred. If they only saw part of the accident, you can ask whether something blocked their view in any way? If it did, then you will carry your case differently.

3) Where were you when the accident occurred?

It is important to understand the witness’s location at the time of the accident, their distance from the scene, and whether they had a clear view of the entire scene or not. If they were in an area with a clear view and close enough to the accident to understand what happened, you could take their statement as reliable.

4) Have the police take your statement?

Sometimes witnesses are present at the accident scene and approach the victim to ensure they are safe. But after this, they may leave the scene without giving their statement to the police. So if your witness has not spoken with the police, you can encourage them to give their statement. The police report is an essential document that you need to prove your case in court.