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Why are Witness Statements Important After a Car Accident?

If you were hurt in a car accident in Wisconsin and you believe the other driver was at fault, then you should speak with a car accident lawyer about your legal options. After most crashes, you will pursue compensation through an insurance claim. Insurers market themselves as friendly and that they are there to help you, thus giving you a false impression that your claim will be settled quickly and fairly. The truth is that after a serious car accident, an insurer is not going to hand you over a large check. If they do try to write a check right away, it is usually because the insurer knows their client is at fault and they hope you will accept a low offer. In many cases, though, you will need to provide evidence that the other driver was at fault and work to receive the compensation you deserve. One of the ways to do this is to give the insurer witness statements supporting your case.

To learn more about witness statements after a car crash and how to pursue compensation, contact a car accident attorney from Studinski Law, LLC today. Call (715) 343-2850, or reach out online to schedule a free case consultation.

Why Witness Statements Are Important After a Crash

Witness statements are important after a car crash because they may verify your version of the events. An insurance claim after a car accident can become contentious when you and the other driver disagree on what happened. You may claim the driver ran a stop sign or made a left turn into your vehicle. The other driver may say your allegations are false. They may even go so far as to say you caused the crash.

Witness statements that back up your story can help you prove the other driver’s fault. If you have multiple witnesses that all say the same thing (that the other driver caused the accident), then this is strong evidence to present to the insurer or in court.

Witnesses who were in your vehicle are helpful. However, since they are likely your family members or friends, then the other driver may claim they are not reliable. It is more helpful if you can obtain statements from objective witnesses, such as other drivers who saw the accident happen and stuck around to help. Witnesses could also be individuals who saw the crash from their homes or businesses. These individuals have no incentive to lie and support your claim.

Obtain Witness Statements as Soon as Possible

After a crash, it is important to contact a car accident lawyer right away. There are many steps an attorney will handle in your case, one of which is contacting witnesses to your accident and setting up times to record their statements. Your attorney will want to speak with those who witnessed the wreck as soon as possible, because memories fade and become more inaccurate over time.

If the witnesses agree with your version of the events, it is best to record their statement. Their initial recollection of what happened may not always be formal testimony, such as a deposition, which would take place under oath. The statement may not be eligible to be used as evidence in court. However, it may be enough to support a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurer.

Other Types of Witnesses

Witnesses to your crash are not always people. Sometimes other business’s cameras end up recording the accident. Another vehicle’s dashcam may have recorded all or some of the accident. A nearby surveillance camera may have recorded everything or a portion of what happened. Your car accident lawyer will investigate whether there are any recordings of the crash, and if so, will take steps to secure the footage.

Witness Statements Support Settlement Negotiations

When you have one or more objective witness statements that support your case, you can use this information to push for a settlement from the insurer. The insurer likely wants to avoid going to trial when you have a great deal of evidence against their client. Instead of wasting time and effort on a car accident lawsuit, the insurer can provide you with the compensation you need.

Depending on the facts of the case and the witness statements, they can also help you push for a greater amount of compensation. For instance, if the witnesses saw the other driver drive recklessly before causing the accident and your injuries, your car accident lawyer may use this information to push for a higher settlement amount.

Contact Our Firm Today for Help

If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident in Wisconsin recently, please reach out to our team at Studinski Law, LLC. We are highly experienced in handling all types of car accident claims. Whatever happened during the crash, we are here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve under the law. With offices in Plover and Marshfield, Studinski Law, LLC serves clients throughout Wisconsin, including Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, and Waupaca. Contact us online or by calling (715) 343-2850 to schedule an initial consultation.