Three Times That Witnesses To Your Injury Are Especially Critical
In personal injury cases, witnesses can often be hugely advantageous. It may be difficult to prove negligence on the part of the defendant when it's your word against his or hers — but if a witness was on the scene when you sustained your injury and can support what you're saying, this can help you to get the settlement that you're asking for. There's little question that a good witness can help any injury case, but the help from this individual is especially valuable in certain scenarios. Here are some examples.
You Suffered A Head Injury
Head injuries are common in a variety of types of accidents, from slip-and-fall incidents to car accidents. Medical costs and time off work as a result of a head injury can be significant, which is why taking legal action is a good idea. However, if you've suffered a head injury, you may have trouble recalling some of the details of your accident — and this may cast doubt on the legitimacy of your claim. A witness who saw the entire thing unfold can be critical to the success of your case in such a situation.
You Were Drinking
A lot of people can get hurt while they're under the influence of alcohol, and while some of these accidents are solely the victim's fault, this isn't always the case. Unfortunately, if you were drinking at the time of the accident, your testimony about what happened may seem less than reliable. Instead of launching your personal injury suit with only you stating what happened, being able to find a witness who will support your claims — especially if this person was sober when the incident took place — can be very helpful.
You Are Outnumbered
Another challenging type of personal injury case is one in which there are multiple people who will refute what you said. For example, if you slipped and fell in a restaurant in front of three staff members, they might realize that a successful personal injury suit against this employer could be problematic for them. As a response to this thought, they may decide to fabricate a story and tell it together — and you'll be significantly outnumbered when you recount what happened. Fortunately, you can tip the scales back in your favor if you're able to get one or more witnesses who can talk about the event in a manner that is consistent with the story that you're telling.
Reach out to a personal injury attorney today for more information.