How Witness Statements Can Strengthen Your South Carolina Car Crash Claim

If you’ve been in a car crash in South Carolina, you need to start thinking about how you should support your personal injury claim. Witness statements can be very helpful in this situation. An eyewitness statement is a detailed account from someone who saw the accident happen, while an expert witness statement is insight from someone who has extensive professional experience in an issue related to the accident.

Having the right car accident lawyer can influence the outcome of your claim. Find out how we can help—call Peake & Fowler at 803-788-4370 now.

Why Witness Statements Matter

Witness statements are crucial in car crash claims because they offer firsthand accounts of what happened. When there’s a dispute about the accident, these statements can clarify what took place and who was at fault. Witnesses provide neutral viewpoints that help fill in gaps that physical evidence might miss. Their observations can explain how the crash occurred, who was involved, and what conditions were like at the time. Yes, statements from both drivers are helpful, but they simply aren’t enough. Both drivers have a vested interest in protecting themselves from liability, so their statements can’t always be trusted.

Types of Witnesses in Car Crash Claims

There are two main types of witnesses in car crash claims: eyewitnesses and expert witnesses. Eyewitnesses are people who saw the accident happen. They can provide details about what they saw, heard, or experienced at the scene. Their firsthand accounts can be very compelling and help clarify the events.

Expert witnesses are specialists like accident reconstruction experts or medical professionals. They didn’t see the crash, but they can analyze evidence and give an informed opinion on what likely happened. They are often brought in to explain complicated parts of the accident or its fallout in a way that anyone can understand.

How to Gather Witness Statements

This is one step you’ll likely want to entrust to your attorney. It is very hard to get the right information out of eyewitnesses without knowing which questions to ask. Furthermore, asking at the wrong time can invalidate their statements if they contradict them later on. Instead of asking them questions firsthand, get their contact information at the scene of the crash and then pass that information along to your attorney.

Using Witness Statements Effectively

Your car accident lawyer may use witness statements in a variety of ways to build and support your claim. First, they may ask questions that allow them to corroborate what you said happened. This is particularly important if there are serious differences between the two drivers’ statements. However, eyewitness statements can also provide a little more context to the accident as a whole. Consider, for example, a crash caused by a driver who ran a red light. An eyewitness who saw the driver looking down at their phone while driving or watched the driver have several near-misses before actually causing a crash can strengthen your case.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One common mistake is relying on unclear or vague witness statements. These types of statements often lack the detail needed to be convincing. Your attorney will aim for detailed and specific accounts from witnesses to ensure they add real value to your claim.

Another mistake is failing to follow up with witnesses. It’s important to maintain contact with them in case you need further details or if they need to testify later. Additionally, some people forget to collect witness statements right after the accident. The sooner you gather these accounts, the more accurate they will be. Waiting too long to ask them about their experience often means the loss of crucial details that could make or break your case.

Lastly, some may overlook potential witnesses who didn’t see the crash but can provide relevant information, such as someone who heard the collision or saw the aftermath. These observations can also be important, so don’t dismiss them.

Take the First Step by Calling Peake & Fowler

The team at Peake & Fowler is committed to helping you fight for fair and full compensation. Let’s start with a free consultation—give us a call at 803-788-4370 or fill out our online contact form now.