Have You Been Injured? We're Ready to Fight for You.

Ask an Attorney: Do I Need a Third-Party Witness?

Published on Jun 13, 2018 by Thomas Law Offices.

With any personal injury case, it’s the job of you and your attorney to prove to the judge and jury that the accident caused your injuries. A third-party witness may help you prove your case. Knowing whether or not you need a third-party witness can be confusing and frustrating. Our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to provide you with the information you need to make the decision that’s right for you.

What are the benefits of a third-party witness?

A third-party witness will be a person you do not know. This person would have been present when your accident occurred and would have watched the event unfold. Any additional information they provide, in conjunction with yours, has the potential to help your case. The sooner they present what they saw, the more reliable and detailed the description will be.

A witness can also support your claims and convince insurance companies you are deserving of a financial reward, especially if they saw the accident from beginning to end. There’s a chance they’ll be able to fill in the gaps with details you may not remember and provide a complete sequence of events, especially if your accident was traumatic.

When is a third-party witness a bad idea?

Before you decide if you need a third-party witness, you need to decide if you believe any possible witnesses are reliable and will aid your case, not hinder it. There are a variety of things you should think about a discuss with your attorney before you decide to use a third-party witness.

  • Is there a chance your witness was distracted when your accident occurred?
  • Does your witness have a hearing or vision impairment?
  • Is your witness a convicted felon?
  • Was your witness intoxicated or under the influence at the time of your accident?
  • Is your witness willing to testify on your behalf?

In the event that you or your attorney believe the third-party witness is unreliable, it may be wise to consider forgoing their testimony.

As you can see, there are benefits to having a third-party witness; but it’s best to work with your attorney to verify the credibility and reliability of your witness. If you have questions or concerns about your personal injury case and seeking guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to guide you through any questions you may have.

Free Case Evaluation

At Thomas Law Offices, our personal injury attorneys recognize that our potential clients are likely going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. We don't want you to have to worry about paying out of pocket for legal advice when you're just starting to learn your legal rights and options. That's why we provide free case evaluations. We'll offer our expert advice about your potential case and walk you through how we can help you.

Call us or fill out the form below to tell us about your potential case and a personal injury lawyer will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Meet Our Founder

Tad Thomas - Trial Lawyer

Tad Thomas

Managing Partner

Tad Thomas has dedicated his practice to representing plaintiffs in various types of civil litigation, including personal injury, business litigation, class actions, and multi-district litigation.

After graduating with his law degree in 2000 from Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, Mr. Thomas immediately opened his own private practice and began representing injury victims.

In 2011, Thomas Law Offices was established in Louisville, Kentucky. Over the past decade, Mr. Thomas has expanded his firm and now has offices in three additional locations: Cincinnati, Ohio, Columbia, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. He is also a frequent lecturer on topics like trial skills and ethics and technology.

Legal & Firm News

Where Do Car Accidents Happen Most Often in Chicago?

As someone who lives in or has traveled through Chicago, you likely don’t need any reminding of how congested our city’s roadways are. This heavy traffic often leads to collisions, which cause motorists to suffer serious injuries and lose their lives. While you’re likely aware of where some of our city’s crash-prone roadways are if […]

Read More

Learn How to Protect Your Loved Ones with My Nursing Home Abuse Guide

Thomas Law Offices has over a decade of experience helping families seek justice on behalf of loved ones who have been abused, neglected, or otherwise harmed in nursing homes and long-term care facilities around the nation. Tad Thomas himself has spoken multiple times on live TV about the work our firm does and the changes […]

Read More

One Year Since Old National Bank Shooting, Co-Counsel Representing Survivors, Families Release Statement

LOUISVILLE, KY – Today, Thomas Law Offices, Everytown Law, and Romanucci & Blandin, who together represent survivors as well as families who lost loved ones in the mass shooting at Old National Bank in Louisville on April 10, 2023, released the following statement: “April 10th marks one year since the tragic mass shooting at the […]

Read More
Tad Thomas on The National Crime Victim Bar Association
National Civil Justice Institute - Trustee
Tad Thomas on Lawyer Minds
Tad Thomas on American Association for Justice
Southern Trial Lawyers Association
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Ohio Association for Justice
Kentucky Justice Association
Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America
Martindale Hubbell Preeminent
2021 Public Justice Member
AAJ Masters of Trial Law: Champion