What you see at the site of your accident is a very important recollection. However, eyewitness testimony is also important because many individuals can give an unbiased view of what happened when your accident occurred. If there is someone who witnessed your accident, they can be one of the most valuable tools you have and their word should always be taken seriously. However, there are some questions that you should always ask somebody who witnessed an accident.

Questions for Car Accident Witnesses

Can you tell me the specifics of how the accident occurred? This is the opening question that many people should ask after an accident. A witness will give you their own narrative of what they saw with their own eyes. You can then take that extensive information and fill in the gaps with the other questions. 

Can you give me more details on how the crash occurred? You can ask for further details once they have shared some information with you. Some of the follow-up questions you might have include:

• What lanes were the vehicles in?
• What did the stretch of road look like?
• How fast were the vehicles traveling?
• Did you see any debris leftover from the accident? 

Where were you and how far were you from the crash when it happened? It is also important if the witness was on foot or in a vehicle. Even if a witness had the best intentions, they might have been so far away from the accident that they don’t truly know what happened. Observations will be more credible if the witness was closer to the accident. 

Was anybody with you when the accident took place? This question will give you any additional leads for seeking other witnesses. You might be able to compare and see if their observations differ from the witness that you already spoke with. 

How was the weather at the time of the accident? Weather can show you more information on why an accident happened. There are many instances that lead to serious collisions including slippery roads, wind, rain, and other weather. 

Do you know anybody involved in the accident? A witness might be considered ‘biased’ if they know someone involved in the accident. Let’s say that the party that struck your vehicle is friends with the witness. The witness might say that you caused the accident even if you didn’t, just so that it can benefit them. 

Did you hear anything that the drivers said? The other party may have admitted fault at the scene and a witness may have heard this.

What is your contact information? You might need to stay in contact with the witness, especially if more information is needed when your insurance company conducts an investigation. This is why you should always have all the contact information of the witness.

In 2017 alone, over 402,000 car accidents took place in Florida due to the negligence of others. Witnesses played an enormous role in providing the best evidence in many of these cases. This is why it is important to speak with anybody who might have further information and can back up your claims.

Speaking with a Florida Car Accident Attorney 

A skilled car accident attorney can help you when you are feeling lost after a car accident that is not your fault. They might be able to guide you through this difficult time and help you ask all of the right questions so that you can move forward. Our attorneys at Sheftall & Associates have diligently assisted numerous victims of accidents. We will provide valuable insight into your case. Please contact our law firm in Florida at (904) 575-9026 for more information on how we can assist you.