The moments following a truck accident are confusing and filled with emotion, but eyewitnesses can provide a clearer picture of what happened and who caused the crash. Information gathered immediately following an accident can be gathered from eyewitnesses and presented at the trial.. When a collision occurs, it is imperative to gather as many eyewitness statements as possible to create the clearest picture for the judge and jury.
Using Eyewitness Statements
If the case proceeds to trial, plaintiffs can use the statements provided by eyewitnesses to support their claim. This information can be read aloud during testimony and can be used to counter eyewitness statements provided by opposing counsel. It can be used to corroborate large truck accident reconstructions or used to counter statements provided by the truck driver.
Gathering Eyewitness Statements in a Truck Accident
Police officers do not always gather eyewitness statements following a truck accident. Their job is to determine fault and issue citations to the driver that broke a traffic law and caused the crash. Individuals who have the physical ability following a wreck need to gather eyewitness contact information and statements as soon as possible. If they are unable to do so, it is best to ask an uninjured passenger or someone who witnessed the crash to perform this task before leaving the scene of the accident to receive medical treatment. In most cases, eyewitnesses will leave the scene of an accident within minutes which means there is not much time to wait.
Individuals are under no legal obligation to provide a statement, thus it is important to approach this task with respect and patience. Individuals should ask whether the person saw the accident, what they saw, and if they are willing to provide a written statement that they sign and date. Accident survivors should also request and verify the witness’s contact information.
Types of Eyewitnesses in Chicago
There are many potential eyewitnesses to a large truck accident. These include employees and customers of businesses in the area, construction workers working near the scene of the accident, pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as other motorists who stopped to provide assistance following the collision. Individuals can also request security camera footage from ATMs, stores, and private residences that may have captured the accident on film. Each of these sources can clarify the events that led up to the accident as well as the immediate aftermath of the collision.