Witness statements are extremely valuable in car accident cases, especially if one or both drivers were injured and have little memory about what happened before or during the collision. Here’s what to know about obtaining witness statements for your car accident insurance claim or lawsuit.  

Speak With Anyone Who Was At the Scene 

If there was anyone at the scene of the accident who may have seen what happened, ask them to recount their version of events on record. They can provide a written or recorded statement, or you can jot down notes at the scene. You may want to consider obtaining their contact information so you can follow up with questions later if you or your legal team should have them. 

Talk to the Police When They Arrive 

When the police arrive on the scene, they will typically interview any witnesses who may have seen the accident. This is often the case whether or not the collision was severe and resulted in critical injuries or if it was simply a fender bender with minimal vehicle damage. Ask the officer when you’ll be able to get a copy of the police report with any witness information that may have been included. 

Reach Out to Any Home or Business Owners Nearby  

Many businesses and homeowners today use video surveillance to help deter criminal activity and keep their properties safe. If your car accident occurred near a home or business that had camera surveillance, it may have been captured on video. 

It may be worthwhile for you to knock on a few doors in the neighborhood to see if anyone around may have video security that inadvertently caught your car accident on camera. Businesses often have CCTV that monitors the inside and outside of their establishment, as well as nearby intersections or roads. 

Ideally, any statement that you receive from a witness will have the legal name of the witness, their contact information, and the date the statement was taken. Then, this statement can be reviewed multiple times during your case without having to get back in touch with the witness.

Should You See a Florida Car Accident Attorney?

After a car accident, it’s critical that you reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney as quickly as you can to protect your legal right to compensation. Contact  Florida personal injury lawyer Ronald Slonaker today for an appointment to discuss your vehicle collision case at 352.629.6656 or 352.777.8716.