Maryland Personal Injury Blog

WITNESS INFORMATION ESSENTIAL AFTER MARYLAND AUTO ACCIDENT

By Steve Heisler on February 25, 2008

You’ve just been in a Maryland Car Accident in which you are not at fault and you’ve written down the other driver’s tag number, called 911, and exchanged information.

You’re probably now standing next to your car waiting for the police to arrive thinking you’ve got everything under control. YOU ARE NOT DONE!!!!! You now need to act fast and get contact information from any witnesses to the collision.

A witnesses account of the accident is so vital to proving your case especially if the other driver is disputing your version of what happened.

Witnesses don’t know either party involved in a Baltimore Car Accident and thus have no reason to tell anything but the truth. On the contrary,insurance companies, judges, and juries recognize that parties to an accident have reasons to “bend” the truth especially if they’re concerned about their insurance rates being raised if they are found at fault.

Insurance companies, judges, and juries usually base their decisions regarding whose at fault not by what the parties say but rather what the witnesses say!!!

Witnesses are often the “tie-breaker” in disputed accidents that involve lane changes, failure to yield, stop signs, and traffic lights.

So, if the other party is at fault and you neglect to get any witness account of what happened, especially in the above mentioned type cases, your ability to prove you were not responsible is in serious trouble.

Therefore, YOU MUST go over to any witnesses right after the Maryland Car Wreck and ask if they mind remaining on the scene for a couple of minutes so you and the police can get their story of what occurred. Most witnesses will be happy to stay and cooperate. However, remember that people have busy lives and not everyone will be willing to wait. Thus, it is better that you take down the contact information from ALL witnesses as soon as they identify themselves as having seen the accident.

Remember, unless it’s a serious accident, the police don’t arrive right away and sometimes they don’t arrive at all. It is up to you to make sure the information is obtained.

Be sure you get the name, address, and as many phone numbers as possible from all witnesses (home, cell, work). Get an e-mail address and find out where they work. Try to get the name and phone number of a relative or close friend in case you have trouble locating them.

I know that may seem extreme but in my 20 years as a Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer I’ve seen many witnesses disappear. Do yourself a big favor and get as much information as you can.

Getting accurate and detailed information from witnesses at the scene of an accident is crucial and could be the difference in proving your case when the other driver denies fault.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Injuries |