Car accidents claim are tough to settle. Most insurance companies are trained to set our minimum pay to the victim and thereby look for any way to deny or lower the compensation. When the fault is unclear to determine, witnesses play a vital role in making the case stronger and determining the at-fault party.
However, the insurance company may use its tricks to lower the victim’s credibility. This means the company will look for any possible point to say that the witness is not credible. While the car accident claim process, it is essential to remember that a witness is an asset to your case. Therefore, understanding what makes them a “credible witness” is crucial before you present the victim.
If you are unclear about the witness’s credibility, speak to a Car crash lawyer Rockford.
What makes someone a credible witness?
Often, credibility is challenging to establish since there are various factors the insurance company will consider. This makes it easier for the company to dismiss the witness’s credibility and lower your settlement amount. However, here are a few things that improve the credibility of a witness.
- The witness was not under the influence of alcohol or any other substance.
- The witness does not have any criminal history.
- The witness has a solid moral character and personality.
- The witness is physically and mentally fit.
- They had a clear and undistracted view of the car accident.
- The witness is not someone the victim personally knows.
Depending on the circumstances, if the witness is a friend or family of the victim, their statement may be used to determine the fault. This is especially vital when calculating pain and suffering. To prove that you faced emotional distress, testimony from your friends and relatives who saw you suffer may come in handy. However, the ultimate decision for considering someone a “credible witness” depends on the insurance company.
Contact a lawyer
When you fight your car accident claim alone, the company will discredit your witness for any minor reasons. Furthermore, they will also roll out minimum settlement offers by pointing out multiple things that display that you were at fault. Therefore, to ensure that you do not get stuck or dismissed your rights after an accident by the insurance company, contact a lawyer as soon as you return home after getting a medical diagnosis. The lawyer will also help understand who is a credible witness and whose testimony will strengthen your claim.