Value of Witness Statement

A witness can state facts about what took place before, during and after the accident. The account of an eyewitness holds the greatest weight. That weighty account could be included in the evidence at court.

What facts should be included in a witness statement?

• The witness’ name and contact information
• The location of the witness at the time of the accident
• A phrase or 2 explaining how the witness’ eyes or ears happen to be at that specific location at that particular time
• A description of the view, as seen by the person that has been called to the stand, or a description of the sound heard by same person.
• The date and time of the accident
• The traffic conditions at the time of that on-road incident
• The weather conditions at the time of the on-road incident
• A chronology of the events that transpired
• A description of the setting and environment in which the involved vehicles collided

How could a witness’ presence enter the picture, during negotiations or during a trial?

The arriving officer could take statements from one or more witnesses. The reported statement could influence a decision, concerning whether or not the case should be heard in a courtroom.

Some witnesses might be found during a return visit to the scene of the crash. Their statements could shed light on the frequency with which accidents seem to take place at that particular location.

Do witnesses only testify at a scheduled trial?

No, the personal injury lawyer in Woodbridge for each of the disputing parties could be called on to question certain witnesses during a deposition.

The lawyers that were asking the questions would look for mention of anything that did not mirror a remark made by the plaintiff or the defendant. The suggestion of an inconsistency would open the witness’ testimony to doubt.

Why would an expert get called to the stand during a personal injury trial?

Experts are familiar with the procedures and tests that are used within a given profession, or a given industry. Experts can judge whether or not the actions of the defendant were reasonable. A medical expert might also offer an opinion, regarding the plaintiff’s injury.

A defense team welcomes an opinion that calls into question the plaintiff’s claims. For instance, in the expert’s view, it might seem impossible for a certain type of collision to cause the sorts of injuries that had been mentioned in the plaintiff’s claim.

Not all experts have the same opinion. Consequently, the plaintiff’s attorney would search for someone with a similar level of expertise, but with a different view of the situation. Hence, it would be up to the jury to decide which of the 2 opinions ought to be believed.

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