Car accidents can be complicated, especially if there is a dispute about who’s at fault. Credible eyewitness reports can support your claims and make a big difference in a car accident case.
Insurance companies actively search for ways to avoid paying damages, which includes attacking a witness’s credibility. This means that if you have a credible witness in your car accident case, it’s important that they truly are “credible.”
If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident, don’t wait until it’s too late to pursue compensation. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Steinberg Injury Lawyers today for your free consultation.
How Witness Credibility Affects a Car Accident Claim
The credibility of a witness (or lack thereof) directly impacts the ability of a car accident lawyer to negotiate a favorable settlement offer. When fault is unclear, the defense is more likely to highlight weaknesses in a witness’s testimony, recollection, or character.
If your car accident claim hinges on eyewitness testimony, you should be certain that your witness is an asset, not a liability.
What Makes a Witness Credible?
Credibility can be difficult to establish and easy for the defense to discredit. With that in mind, here are just a few characteristics a credible witness should have:
- Clean criminal history and strong moral character
- Not a relative or personal friend
- Mentally and physically healthy (depending on the circumstances)
- Alcohol & drug-free at the time of the accident
Additionally, it’s in your best interest to find a witness who had a clear and undistracted view of the accident. Otherwise, their testimony may be discredited.
What Factors Negatively Impact Witness Credibility?
The defense can easily discredit witnesses with certain characteristics. Here are a few examples of non-credible witnesses:
- Witnesses who don’t see the entire accident
- Distracted witnesses (i.e., talking with friends, on their cell phone, etc.)
- Witnesses who give inconsistent accounts of the accident
- Witnesses related to one of the people involved in the accident
- Witnesses who have a financial interest in the case
- Witnesses who can’t articulate due to age, IQ, physical condition, or mental health
A non-credible witness could do more harm to your claim than good. In some instances, your car accident lawyer may recommend avoiding their testimonies altogether.
It’s important to note that credible witnesses don’t guarantee a positive outcome. The defense may have witnesses or evidence to counter your witness’s testimony. This is why it’s essential for your car accident lawyer to fully vet all potential witnesses.
Contact Steinberg Injury Lawyers Today
Insurance companies work tirelessly to protect their wealth, which can sometimes be in contrast to your best interests. If you were injured in a car accident, the last thing you want to do is fight alone with the insurance company for fair compensation.
A proven car accident lawyer can advocate for your rights, thoroughly investigate your case, and negotiate with the insurance company for maximum compensation. At Steinberg Injury Lawyers, our LA car accident attorneys are here to help. Either we win your case, or it’s at no cost to you. Contact us today for your free initial consultation.
