Questions to Ask a Car Accident Witness
January 4, 2025- Categories: Vehicle Accidents
There are several initial questions to ask a car accident witness, and it’s essential that you know what these are. Even if you’re shaken up by the collision and feel frustrated, take a moment to calm down and think clearly so you can take appropriate actions in the minutes after the crash. This is assuming, of course, that you’re not so seriously injured that asking questions is impossible. The first questions to ask a car accident witness include:
- What is your full name?
- What is your phone number?
- Did you see or hear the accident?
- Have you spoken to the police officer and told them what you saw?
Even if this is the most you can ask them in the moments after the collision, you’ve got a great start. Your lawyer can follow up later and interview the witness to gather more details about what they saw and heard. This means you’ll want to hire an aggressive car accident lawyer who will do their homework and put in the extra effort needed to gather evidence and prove your case.
Be Assertive and Get the Answers You Need
If you have additional time at the crash scene before police arrive or while officers are speaking to the other driver(s), go ahead and ask witnesses and bystanders additional questions. Do you have questions about the vehicles involved? Ask them. Do you have questions about the drivers? Ask them.
Some additional questions to ask crash witnesses include:
- Was the other vehicle speeding?
- Did the other vehicle run a red light or stop sign?
- Did you see if the other driver was talking on their cell phone?
- Did you hear screeching tires, engine noise, or other sounds that were out of the ordinary before or during the crash?
- Did you see debris in the road that the other driver hit or swerved to avoid?
- Were there any pedestrians in the road or stepping off the curb when the accident happened?
- Did you notice any surveillance cameras on buildings or near the crash scene?
- What time exactly was it when you saw the accident happen? Did you check your phone or your watch?
- Did you take photos or video of the crash on your cell phone?
- What was the weather like when the crash happened?
- Were any vehicles moving erratically?
- Did anyone appear to be injured?
- In your words, how did the crash happen?
Generally, accident witnesses are not required by law to report a crash, say what they saw, or even give their name. If they are subpoenaed, though, they are then required to be interviewed and testify, if needed.
Neale & Fhima: Tenacious Investigators and Negotiators
We are confident that our team of lawyers is comprised of some of the most tenacious investigators and negotiators throughout California. Attorney Aaron Fhima is among the best and the brightest. Our outstanding client testimonials speak to our law firm’s success in winning cases. Here are some of the reasons to choose Neale & Fhima to represent you:
- We Know the Law. California law is complicated at best, and deeply confusing at worst. We’ll help you avoid legal pitfalls and guide you in building a strong legal case.
- Years of Experience. Our attorneys possess more than 40 years of combined experience representing clients in Southern California.
- We Value Client Relationships. High-volume law offices frequently think of clients as nothing more than a number on a case file. We’re different. We like getting to know our clients and their families.
- Our Lawyers Win Cases. Neale & Fhima has a 99% success rate in personal injury claims.
Your Lawyer Will Have Questions About the Accident Scene, Too
Your car collision lawyer will have a whole host of questions of their own, beyond the questions you initially asked witnesses, often much more legally focused than your own. Lawyers’ questions after a car accident tend to be open-ended so a witness can explain things at length. This is because a witness may have valuable information to substantiate your legal claim, even if they don’t know they do. Neale & Fhima’s skilled vehicle crash lawyers are sophisticated in their ability to interview witnesses. They know how to collect the most valuable evidence and testimony to build a strong case on your behalf.
Getting the Police Report
Your lawyer will get a copy of the police report arising from your car accident to gather facts, identify the officer at the scene, and see if any witnesses are named that you don’t already know about.
Determining Fault
Your attorney will evaluate facts to determine how a court might rule on fault and liability for the accident. If the other driver is completely at fault for the accident, you likely have a very strong case. If you were partially at fault for the accident, then things are more complex. Your attorney will look for ways to prove that you were only minimally at fault and that the greatest degree of liability lies with the other driver. California applies pure comparative fault rules, which means drivers who share partial fault could still be able to recover damages at a reduced level.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations in California for a personal injury claim arising from a car accident is two years. The statute of limitations for filing a claim for property damage is three years. Hence, it’s important to contact an attorney right away to start your claim before the window of opportunity expires.
Get Winning Representation with Neale & Fhima
If you or your loved one has been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. You don’t have to face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering all by yourself. The skilled and compassionate legal team at Neale & Fhima will fight aggressively for your rights. To find out more about how we can help, call for a free consultation at 888-407-2955.
Attorney Aaron Fhima
Aaron Fhima is a trial attorney who has secured numerous settlements and verdicts against large corporations and some of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. Representing consumers and injury victims throughout the state of California, Aaron’s practice areas include personal injury, and lemon law litigation. Aaron has a long record of success taking on large defense firms; and he doesn’t hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary to enforce his clients’ rights. [ Attorney Bio ]
