What Role Do Witness Statements Play in Hit-and-Run Cases?

After a hit-and-run, witness statements can be immensely valuable, and for a variety of reasons. A car accident lawyer in Victorville, CA can help you use witness statements to identify the driver, support your claim, establish the facts, and potentially more.

Witness Statements and Hit-and-Runs

For the Criminal Side

When another driver strikes your vehicle, or you, and then flees the scene, finding them is a top priority. California law requires any driver involved in an accident that causes injury or property damage to stop, provide identifying details, and render reasonable aid. Leaving without doing so is a criminal offense. Independent observers often become the primary source of identifying details that can lead the police, or your lawyer’s investigation, to the responsible driver. 

Bear in mind that it’s never safe or advisable to chase a hit-and-run driver, even if your car is capable of doing so after the crash. A fleeing driver may be panicked and dangerous. During the chase, either you or they may accidentally hurt someone else, and even if you catch the driver, you don’t know how they might react. Wait for the police and allow them to do an investigation and contact an attorney to dig further and have someone on your side to keep up with the police and your insurer.

For the Civil Side

Witness accounts also strengthen the civil side of your case. If you end up having to file an uninsured-motorist claim under your own policy, which is common in a hit-and-run, your insurer will want proof that an unidentified vehicle made physical contact with yours or with you. Independent statements help establish the sequence of events, the point of impact, and the fact that the other vehicle left without exchanging information. 

For any Claim You Bring

If the other driver is located and you’re able to bring a personal injury claim, a witness statement can corroborate your version of the crash. Courts treat neutral bystanders as more reliable than any party with a financial stake in the outcome, so their testimony will still be helpful to you even when the other party’s behavior in fleeing already suggests guilt. 

Things You Need to Know

Act Fast

Ask for full names, phone numbers, and email addresses of witnesses as soon as you can after the accident, before they depart. Record a brief description of what each person saw while the events are fresh in their mind, and share this with your lawyer. 

Get the Police Report

Police officers who respond will interview any available witnesses, and those statements give investigators concrete leads. Your lawyer may do an independent investigation, even if the police come up short, so be sure to get the police report number.

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer in Victorville, CA

If you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run, don’t despair. Contact the law offices of Vondra & Hanna in Victorville, CA at 760-514-0344 for a free consultation, so we can review the witness information you gathered and move your claim forward. We’ve served the whole High Desert area for decades and always demand full and fair compensation for our clients.

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