Being involved in an accident with a semi or other large truck can result in catastrophic damage. Because of their massive size, these trucks usually leave drivers and passengers in vehicles they collide with massive injuries or cause their deaths. If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash with a semi, gathering witnesses may help to support your case and win compensation for your pain, medical bills, lost wages, and suffering.
- Witnesses Can Offer an Objective View
When an accident happens with a large truck, it can be difficult for you as a driver or passenger to recall the details that caused it. If you were riding in the back seat, you may have been looking elsewhere, and if you were driving, the accident might have happened so quickly that you did not have time to register what was happening. A witness can provide details that you missed, such as what caused the truck driver to lose control or from which direction the truck driver came. - Multiple Witnesses Can Support Facts
When there are multiple witnesses to your accident, their similar accounts of what they saw could help support your court case. For example, if a semi swerved into your lane and sideswiped you, causing your vehicle to crash or roll, multiple witnesses can attest to that in court. The more individuals who can give matching testimony, the stronger your case will be. - Visual or Audible Testimony
There are several ways witnesses can help you prove your truck accident case, including what they saw and heard. The screeching of brakes, the sound of impact, and the sight of a truck running a stop sign may all be taken into account during witness testimony. You may want to ask your witnesses to bring any photos or videos they have of the accident as well. - Written Testimony
Some witnesses to your accident who cannot appear in court may offer written testimony to help support your case. You may want to have your attorney review local laws regarding written witness statements, as some courts require their signature to be observed by one or more witnesses or to be notarized. If you plan to submit any written statements, it is wise to have them prepared as quickly as possible so your attorney can submit them to the court along with the rest of your evidence.
Having credible witnesses to your large truck accident can help support your case and prove negligence on the part of the truck or semi driver. Contact a trucking accident lawyer, like a Woodland Hills trucking accident lawyer, for more information.
Thanks to Barry P. Goldberg, A Professional Law Corporation for their insight into how witnesses can offer great evidence in a truck accident lawsuit.