How Can Approaching a Witness to an Accident Affect Your Case?

Every day, thousands of people in Florida are injured due to the negligence of others around them. Some are injured in car accidents, others in slip and falls, or dog bites, just to name a few. As a result, injured individuals can face insurmountable medical bills, lifestyle changes, and severe pain and suffering. They deserve compensation for their damages, but in order to receive it, they must prove how they were injured and that their damages are real.

Witnesses can be an extremely helpful piece of evidence that can provide testimony about what happened before, during, and after an accident. But what happens if you approach one? Our seasoned Brandon personal injury lawyers speak to witnesses every day and have tips on what injured people should do.

Tips for Approaching a Potential Witness

First, if you need medical attention, get it right away. Your health and wellbeing are more important than tracking down a witness. However, if and when it’s feasible, attempt to speak to any people who witnessed what happened. It’s common for people to witness accidents and injuries, but they frequently disappear after and might refuse to help later.

When approaching a potential witness to your injury:

• Politely identify yourself
• Ask if they saw what happened
• Ask if they are willing to be a witness
• If they say yes, request their name, phone number, address, and email
• Ask them to stay until the police arrive so that they can provide a witness statement
• Don’t try to convince them of what they say or ask them leading questions

You can give the witness’s information to your Brandon personal injury attorney. This way, your attorney can contact them later to get their testimony or deposition about what they observed.

Avoid Further Contact with the Witness

Once you have obtained their contact information, you don’t need to have any further contact with the witness. It could be detrimental to your case in two ways. If the legal team for the person who caused your injuries finds out that you have been conversing with the witness in any way, they can attempt to discredit their testimony. Whether it is or not, it gives the illusion of a biased testimony.

Additionally, if you contact the witness later, they may determine that they don’t want to provide testimony for your case. They likely don’t want to be bothered, and it may even scare them off. IT’s best to let your Brandon personal injury lawyer handle all communications with them after you approach them the first time.

Were You Injured in an Accident? Reach Out to a Skilled Brandon Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Not only do you need witnesses to help your injury claim, but you also need a skilled Brandon personal injury attorney from Carman, Bevington & Finegan. Our attorneys are well-versed in contacting witnesses and taking their testimony. We know how to use any potentially favorable witness testimony in your favor. Reach out to our firm today to begin your claim with a no-obligation consultation.