When someone is injured in a pedestrian accident, the focus often shifts quickly to medical care and dealing with insurance. But one piece of information that can make or break a case is often overlooked in those early moments, and those are witness accounts. People who saw what happened can provide details that help confirm how the crash occurred, who was at fault, and what actions were taken right after the incident.
What Witnesses Can Provide
A pedestrian is often focused on trying to get out of the street, dealing with pain, or calling for help. That means they might not remember the full sequence of events or see every detail clearly. Witnesses, on the other hand, may have had a broader view. They can describe things like the driver’s behavior before the collision, whether a traffic signal was ignored, or how fast the vehicle was moving.
Witnesses also help confirm basic facts. They may be able to say whether the pedestrian was in the crosswalk, whether the driver stopped afterward, or if anyone offered assistance. Many pedestrian and car accident lawyers see how important eyewitness testimonies can be.
Why Timing Matters
The sooner witness information is gathered, the more accurate it tends to be. Memories fade quickly, and people may not recall small details weeks or months later. That’s why it’s important to talk to witnesses at the scene or shortly after the accident, if possible. Even something as simple as taking down a name and phone number can help a legal team follow up later. Witnesses may not always stick around before police arrive. This makes it even more important for someone—whether it’s the injured person, a friend, or a bystander—to ask if anyone saw what happened and to document it.
How Witnesses Affect A Legal Claim
Insurance companies often look for reasons to limit or deny claims. If a pedestrian’s account of the incident is the only version, the other side may try to cast doubt on it. A witness statement can provide the kind of third-party confirmation that helps settle those disputes. A pedestrian accident lawyer can use witness statements as a way to add credence to your claim.
Attorneys like those at Kelso Law can attest that witness statements often play a major role in pedestrian injury cases. These accounts can influence whether a claim moves forward, whether the case settles, and how much compensation is ultimately offered. Witness credibility matters, and someone with a clear and neutral view of the incident can be a key part of the legal process.
What You Can Do After A Crash
If you or someone you care about is hurt in a pedestrian accident, try to collect contact information from anyone who may have seen what happened. This could be someone walking nearby, a driver who stopped, or even someone inside a nearby business. The earlier this is done, the more useful that information will be. Help is available when you reach out to an attorney who can build your case!
