How To Preserve Witness Testimony So You Can Collect Injury Compensation

It would be great if insurance companies just took your word for it when filing for injury compensation, but they didn’t become massive corporations by paying out every claim that comes across their desk. Your story is a start, but if other people can back up your claims or provide a similar version of events, it can go a long way in elevating the credibility of your claim.

It’s not enough to assume that someone else will be willing to back up your claims following an accident. There are some steps you’ll want to take to preserve this witness testimony so that it doesn’t fall apart when you need it. In today’s blog, we share some tips for preserving witness testimony in a workers’ compensation or personal injury case in Minnesota.

Tips For Preserving Witness Testimony

Getting a credible witness to provide testimony in your case is incredibly helpful, and there are some steps you’ll want to take right after an accident to make it easier for you to get an accurate statement from a witness. Here’s what you should do if you’re considering a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim.

Get Their Contact Information – If someone else witnessed your car accident or a passerby saw your work accident occur in real time, make it a point to get their contact information. If you need immediate medical attention, try to have someone else collect their contact information. Someone you’ve never met before may have witnessed your accident, but unless you get their contact information, you may never be able to connect with them to have them back up your claims.

Give Your Attorney This Information – Make sure that your lawyer has access to this contact information. They know how important it is to get an accurate statement, so they will likely reach out to the witness to talk with them as soon as possible. The longer you wait to get them this information, the less reliable the testimony may become.

Get A Recorded Statement – We all like to assume that we have a good memory, but details of an event can fade over time. A statement made about an accident within 48 hours of the incident is much more likely to be more accurate than a statement that is given two weeks after the accident. If possible, have the witness provide a recorded statement, or see if they will write out a statement and sign it. Try to get them to provide a witness statement on record as soon as possible.

Write Down Your Version Of Events – The same logic applies to the injured party. Don’t assume that you’ll be able to remember all the details of your accident, because it’s natural for some details to become fuzzy. If your story starts to change or becomes inconsistent, it can make it much harder for you to earn an injury award. Provide a written or oral statement that can be entered into record as soon as you’re able to after the accident.

Enlist The Professionals – Finally, you can also lean on certain professionals to provide a documented record of the incident. A doctor can provide a medical exam that reveals the true nature of your injuries, or a police report can give credence to your claim that an accident occurred. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, reach out to a doctor or law enforcement to create official records that can be used to verify your claim.

For help preserving or presenting this evidence as part of an injury claim, reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm today at (952) 230-2700.