Questions to Ask Car Accident Witnesses

An experienced Santa Ana car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian can be of substantial value during the evidence collection stage of your claim. We step into your shoes and take over the entire process, handling everything from the gathering of evidence to filing your claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Your attorney also handles all related negotiations, removing the stress of your claim from your day-to-day life. 

Reach Out to the Police Immediately and Request a Report 

One of the most valuable pieces of information in support of your car accident claim is the report that is generated by the police. When the police report to the scene, they will assess the sobriety of the parties present, in addition to providing body-cam footage of the scene that can be used as evidence later. The body-cam footage of the reporting police officer may be the only visual evidence of the accident as it lied before it was cleared from the road. This can provide essential evidence to prove the liability of the other party. 

Gathering the police report and other evidence in support of your case can require that you file information request forms, and use other legal instruments like depositions or requests for production. If you have not practiced the law before or filed a claim, this can be a difficult process to complete. Working with an experienced Santa Ana car accident lawyer ensures that your rights are protected, and that you collect the full amount in damages that you deserve. 

The Most Important Questions to Ask Car Accident Witnesses 

The following questions are important sources of information from any witnesses who may have been present at the scene of the accident, as they help you to determine the party or parties responsible for the accident. When another party’s negligence was the cause of an accident, they and their insurance company will generally be liable for your damages. 

The most important questions to ask are:

• Did you see the accident? – viewing the accident is an essential element to a witness being of value
• What did you see? – a step-by-step explanation of how the accident occurred is helpful to your case, and an experienced Santa Ana car accident lawyer from our firm knows how to effectively guide witnesses to provide a comprehensive explanation of the accident
• Did the parties exit their vehicles following the accident? – this helps to determine the extent of immediate injuries experienced, and to frame what parties might claim after the accident 
• How did the crash occur? – understanding the sequence of events lead led up to the accident is important to identify fault among the parties involved 
• How fast were the vehicles involved in the accident traveling? – speed influences the amount of damage experienced in a car accident, and if a driver is breaking the speed limit they are generally liable for the outcome of any accidents they cause

It is important to first determine whether or not the witness viewed the accident. Beginning with this question saves the time of collecting information from individuals who may have been present when the accident occurred, but did not pay attention or notice it. If you take the time to gather contact information and ask other questions about the witness before confirming they witnessed the accident itself, you could risk wasting your time. 

Once you have determined that an individual witnessed the accident, it is time to take out your cell phone and turn on your video camera. It is helpful to create a record of any interviews you complete with witnesses at the scene of the accident so that there is a record. If you simply have a conversation with a witness, you run the risk of gathering nothing of value, as statements made out of court are often not allowed into claims or cases as evidence. 

Your Santa Ana Car Accident Attorney Interviews Witnesses for Your Claim

To submit evidence in support of your claim, it must be provided to the insurance company or the court in a form that is acceptable. While you are trying to recover from your injuries and get on with your life after your car accident, you might not have time to learn how to process insurance claims and submit evidence. This is where your Santa Ana car accident lawyer comes into play. We step into your shoes and take over the entire process on your behalf, ranging from collecting evidence from witnesses to drafting, filing, and negotiating your claim. 

The questions above must be asked in a format that the courts will accept as evidence, which are often accomplished through the legal instrument known as a deposition. This is basically the same as a sworn statement, in which your attorney is able to ask questions of any witnesses to determine their perspective on the accident and related events. 

Connect with a Santa Ana Car Accident Lawyer for Assistance

Working with an experienced attorney from the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian removes the stress and time associated with processing your injury claim from your life. Any uncertainty over whether you are going to collect the full costs linked to your injuries is also eliminated through the use of an experienced lawyer. Your accident can lead to not only short- and long-term medical bills, but also lost wages in the short-term and a long-term impact on your ability to earn the same as before your injuries. 

Calculating the amount in damages that you are entitled to often requires the use of medical experts to measure the impact of your car accident injuries on your health. Occupational experts then assess that information to determine how your injuries will impact your earnings ability in the long-term. While you might not know where to begin to find a medical expert and occupational expert familiar with filling insurance claims and lawsuits, we have a network of experts ready to provide us with the evidence we need to win your claim.
Your initial consultation is free, and we only get paid if we win. Whether your Santa Ana car accident had witnesses or you’ll need to gather information from the other driver involved, if we are able to take your case we’ll be there from start to finish. Contact us today to get started and learn about your legal options.