How to Gather Witness Accounts After an Auto Collision

After an auto collision, witness accounts can play a crucial role in determining fault and liability. Witness testimonies can provide essential details about the accident, shed light on the events leading up to the collision, and may be a key component in corroborating your version of the incident.

To discuss the possible importance of gathering reliable witness statements to support your financial recovery, connect with a New Orleans personal injury lawyer. Seasoned attorneys can inform you of effective strategies for gathering witness accounts and can employ those strategies on your behalf in order to strengthen your case.

Assessing the Scene to Identify Witnesses

Of course, if you gathered witness contact information at the accident scene an attorney can contact those individuals, but even if that was not possible there could be other avenues for identifying witnesses. For example, your attorney may choose to visit the accident site and take note of any nearby businesses. Individuals working or visiting those establishments may be able to provide an eyewitness account.

Attorneys are familiar with how to approach witnesses, doing so calmly, respectfully, and introducing themselves as professional attorneys who represent accident victims. Sometimes individuals who are initially hesitant to provide a statement do so once a legal professional explains to them the importance of their account in determining liability.

Once your lawyer has a name or a few names of people who witnessed the accident, they will make time to record the witness statements while memories are fresh. How statements will be recorded will depend on the situation. Sometimes a statement is gathered with a smartphone or recording device after a witness has stated they are comfortable giving their account on record. In other situations handwritten statements, complete with a witness’s signature and date, are gathered.

Obtaining Surveillance Footage

When looking over the accident site, even if there were no people present your attorney may explore the possibility of nearby surveillance cameras. Legal professionals can contact local businesses, traffic departments, or law enforcement to request access to footage that may have captured the accident. While this is not always possible, it can be worth the effort to try as surveillance video is valuable visual evidence. It can support both the reports from individuals involved in the event and witness accounts.

There are many details to review when moving forward with an injury claim, and an experienced New Orleans personal injury lawyer can manage every aspect of your case while providing you with the individual support and guidance you need. Your attorney understands the importance of thorough and accurate witness statements, and if your case requires it, they will use their professional connections to partner with professional investigators who specialize in gathering accounts and collecting evidence.

Are you wondering if a witness account could fortify your claim? To ensure that you have the necessary evidence to establish fault after sustaining an accident injury in New Orleans, Metairie or Gretna, talk to the legal team at Palazzo Law Firm. Call 504-433-1442 for a fee-free consultation.