The aftermath of a Philadelphia car accident case can be incredibly confusing. If you are injured or dealing with property damage, you need to know how you can get compensation for your accident-related expenses. There are various factors that can affect whether or not you receive compensation and how much a settlement may be. While many car accident claims come down to one driver’s word against the other’s, an eyewitness to the crash may be helpful.
How Can a Witness Help Your Case
Those who actually saw an accident occur can be vital in proving your claim against a negligent driver. The best time to find witnesses of a crash is right after the incident occurs. If there is anyone at the scene who saw the incident happened, securing their names and contact information is an important step to take. However, injuries and other factors may prevent a person from getting names and phone numbers at the scene. When this happens, you or your attorney can follow up later with the police who may have gotten the phone numbers and names as they conducted their investigation.
Who Can Be a Potential Witness?
- Passengers in your car. Passengers in your vehicle would be able to recount what you were doing and may have seen what the other driver was doing just before the crash occurred.
- Driver of another car. Other drivers may have seen the accident take place and be able to describe what happened.
- Passengers of another car. Just like other drivers, passengers in other vehicles may have also seen the accident unfold. Passengers of other vehicles could be considered better witnesses than other drivers because they would not have been distracted by their driving duties.
- Bystanders. If the car accident took place in a populated area, there may have been bystanders nearby on sidewalks, at intersections, sitting at nearby businesses, and more. Bystanders can prove to be highly credible witnesses if they saw the entire accident from start to finish.
- Surveillance videos. Many homes and businesses have surveillance cameras inside and outside a building that may have captured some or all of the accident. Video surveillance is the most objective witness that can be found and can provide valuable information pertaining to the crash.
A witness can serve multiple purposes. They can be used to support claims of innocence on your behalf or the guilt of the at-fault driver. Witnesses can also testify about any injuries a person may have sustained after a crash.
Get a free case evaluation at Ciccarelli Law Offices
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a Philadelphia car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, seek legal assistance as soon as possible. You can count on the Ciccarelli Law Offices’ Philadelphia car accident attorneys to thoroughly investigate your case in order to secure the compensation you are entitled to. This can include:
- Coverage of medical expenses
- Recovery of lost wages if you are unable to work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
Your attorney will work together valuable evidence on your behalf, including eyewitness statements, to successfully gain a favorable settlement. When you need a Philadelphia personal injury attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling (215) 228-0100