After being involved in a car accident, many people rely on the testimony of witnesses to help them win their car accident lawsuit. Unfortunately, there may not always be witnesses around to provide a statement after you were involved in a vehicle collision. The lack of witnesses does not mean that you cannot prove your case, only that you may need to work harder to do so. If you or a family member was injured in a serious car accident, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer. For over 40 years, The Reiff Law Firm have handled car accident lawsuits for residents of Pennsylvania who have suffered serious injuries like spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries. The Reiff Law Firm is here to explain how to sue for a car accident without any witnesses in Pennsylvania.
What Should You Do if You Have No Witnesses for Your Car Accident Claim?
There are several reasons why you may not have individuals who witnessed your vehicle collision. For example, the accident could have occurred late at night while most people are at home. The accident may have also happened on a highway where motorists did not have the opportunity to stop and offer their statements. Witnesses to a car accident are important because their accounts can help reconstruct how an accident occurred. However, if you have no witnesses to the accident, it does not mean you cannot win your case.
One of the first things you should do after an accident is seek immediate medical treatment for any injuries sustained in the crash. You should contact the police at this time as well. Next, you should exchange information with the other driver. Exchanging information is mandatory under Pennsylvania law if anyone was injured or killed because of the accident. This information should include driver’s licenses, addresses, registration, insurance, and license plate numbers. You should also take photographs of the damage to both vehicles and the scene of the accident. Make sure to note any adverse weather or road conditions that may have caused the accident.
Obtaining a police report from the responding officers is important if you are unable to find any witnesses to the accident. The police report may help determine who was at fault for the collision and any injuries caused by the collision. Be sure to obtain the name and badge numbers of the police officers who arrive at the scene. A police report is not evidence that could be used at trial, but the information in the report can help you organize the case. You can also call the police officers as witnesses to testify to the results of the crash, such as skid marks, the positioning of the cars, and more.
Additionally, you should check the scene of the accident to determine whether there were any traffic cameras that may have captured the car crash. Traffic cameras are becoming more common in Pennsylvania, and if you are able to secure footage of your car accident, your claim will be easier to prove.
Finally, you should inform your insurance carrier about the accident as soon as possible. Since you have no witnesses to your car accident, you should gather and organize as much information as possible. This information will make it easier for your lawyer to build a case despite the absence of witnesses.
If you are concerned about your car accident claim because you have no witnesses, you should speak with an experienced Bucks County car accident lawyer.
The Statute of Limitations for Motor Vehicle Collisions in Pennsylvania
If you were involved in a vehicle collision in Pennsylvania, you have a limited amount of time to file your personal injury case. The statute of limitations is a law that determines how long a person has to file a particular type of case.
In Pennsylvania, personal injury cases have a two-year deadline. This means you must file your case within two years or risk having the court bar your claim. If the court bars your claim, you will not have the opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries in court. However, there are some methods that may be used to delay the statute of limitations depending on the circumstances of your case. These methods should be discussed with an experienced West Chester, PA personal injury attorney.
Our Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You File Your Car Accident Lawsuit
If you or a family member was a victim of a car accident, you should contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney today. At The Reiff Law Firm, our attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the legal representation that you deserve. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to gather evidence for your car accident claim and build a solid case. To schedule a free consultation, call us at (215) 709-6940, or reach us online.
