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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.

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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.

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