The victim of a car accident is encouraged to identify and speak with witnesses. How can such a victim make use of the collected names? Here is advice for you, if you ever get involved in an automobile collision.
Try to contact witnesses as soon as possible
If you can, speak with witnesses at the scene of the accident. In that way, you do not let a witness’ memory start to fade. If you are too injured to accomplish that task, make an effort to return to that particular location.
Actions to take after returning to the scene of the accident
Do not be afraid to speak with strangers. Any one of them might have useful information about the location where the cars collided. Go there after studying the police report. That could make mention of one or 2 possible witnesses.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Mississauga or you need to inquire about the existence of any business or parking lot that has a video camera. You might be able to obtain video footage of the accident. Be warned, though; there is always the chance that a tree or some other object could block the camera’s view of the accident site.
Strive to obtain the maximum level of cooperation from any witness. Volunteer to record each witness’ statement, and then to have that same person/witness review it. In that way, you can feel more confident about having a statement with proven veracity.
A warning to all victims that plan to seek out witnesses
You do not have the right to put pressure on a possible witness, so that you can obtain his or her statement. Each of the potential witnesses is free to refuse to provide you with a statement.
By the same token, an insurance adjuster has no right to demand a statement from any of the witnesses. Usually, a witness that feels reluctant to speak to an accident victim will not want to speak to an insurance adjuster.
Of course, there is no guarantee that every witness that refuses to provide a statement to an accident victim will show the same reluctance, when approached by the insurance adjuster. Still, you must not try to sway the mind of any witnesses that appear ready to speak with an adjuster, even if one of them has spoken to you.
What could happen if you did put pressure on a witness, asking him or her to deny the adjuster’s request for a statement? That depends on who learned about your action, your attempt to sway the witness’ mind, and direct his or her actions. If the other side learned about your efforts, it could report them to the judge. That could push the judge to issue a ruling in your opponent’s favor. Do you really want to risk that unpleasant possibility, in hopes of obtaining a single statement?
