If you have been involved in a car accident, it’s important to get all the information about it that you can. One way to do this is by talking to witnesses who were at or near the scene when the accident happened. You should ask them questions about where they were located, what they saw and heard at the time of impact and afterwards (both immediately after impact as well as afterwards).
When did you notice the accident?
● Was it before or after any vehicles hit your car?
● Which way were they headed: toward, away from, or straight ahead?
● What kind of vehicle were they driving (e.g., truck, SUV)?
● Did one driver pull out in front of another car while trying to make a left turn onto another roadway?
Where were you located in relation to the accident?
Personal injury lawyer in Aurora says that when you’re talking to a witness, it’s important to know where they were located in relation to the accident. The location of their vehicle and whether they were driving or riding can affect how much information they have about what happened before, during and after an incident.
Was anyone with you at the time of the accident? Who?
When interviewing witnesses of a car accident, the most important questions to ask are:
Was anyone with you at the time of the accident? Who?
Did you see any other cars or people involved in this accident? If so, who else was there besides yourself and/or your passengers?
Did the weather contribute to the accident
The weather can affect visibility. If the weather is bad, it’s harder to see things around you and make decisions. You may have been driving on a road that was wet or icy, which could have affected your judgment about what was going on around you.
Did you hear the other driver say anything after the accident?
● Was he/she apologetic, angry, or frustrated?
● Was he/she upset that you were hurt and needed medical attention (unless they were guilty of causing your injuries).
Did you have a clear view of the accident
If you were on a street or highway and observed an accident, did you have to move your car to get a better view of what was happening? If so, how long did it take for your eyesight to adjust after moving your vehicle? Was there any other movement required in order to get a clear view of what happened (e.g., changing lanes)?
Did you notice if the other driver was speeding, texting or serving?
If you’re involved in a car accident and your vehicle gets hit by another vehicle, it is important to know what happened before you can file a claim against that person. If there are any signs that suggest the other driver may have been speeding or texting at the time of impact, these could influence how your case is handled. Most importantly, remember that if someone served alcohol before driving their car into yours (or after), this could also influence how their insurance company handles things so be sure to ask about this too.
