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Lehmbecker Law Firm

Bellevue Personal Injury Lawyers

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  Fax: (425) 278-5908   | FREE CONSULTATION: (888) 889-6895  

Car Accident and Witness Statements: Why They Are Important

One of the most important things we advise anyone to do in the event of a car accident is to get the name and contact information of any witnesses that can be found. Of course, it goes without saying that getting first aid if needed and reporting the accident to the police are essential steps, but identifying witnesses and getting statements about what they saw can be crucial to successfully securing compensation for an injured driver.

Witnesses Help Us Prove What Happened

A lawyer must have evidence to demonstrate that the other party is at fault. Many cases are built on the testimony of eyewitnesses, and in order for a lawyer to understand the strength of a case the lawyer must know what the eyewitnesses remember.

In general, witness statements are best taken as soon as possible. Legal scholars and psychologists have developed a deep body of research that shows human memory can be very flawed. Over time, bias creeps into the stories people tell, and witnesses often take in additional information and incorporate it into their story. People also simply forget what happened.  Statements obtained right away are likely to be more accurate than later statements. 

Witness statements are most credible when the witness does not have any self interest involved.  The testimony of your family and friends who were in the car with you are worth something, but generally not as much as a bystander who has no connection to the parties’ involved in the collision.  Locating these witnesses and getting a detailed statement from them is often one of the most important things that an investigating personal injury attorney can do.  

Statements Can Promote Settlement

Most cases begin with a discovery phase, where each side explores the evidence the other side has. This gives both sides a good understanding of how the case might play out in court. Lawyers and their clients can estimate their odds of winning and decide whether it would be preferable to settle and avoid the risk.

Additionally, discovery will sometimes simply bring one side to the realization that they were in the wrong. For example, an eyewitness statement that a driver was playing with the radio at the time of the accident might encourage that driver’s insurance company to settle.

Prior Statements Can Have Enormous Value in Court

Perhaps most importantly, a witness statement can be a powerful weapon in court. Here are a few ways they can be deployed under Washington State evidence rules:

  • Prior inconsistent statement: This is the big one. If a witness starts testifying against you and it is the first time you have heard the witness’s story, then your lawyer is stuck trying to poke holes in the story on the spot. With a prior statement in hand, that witness must tell the exact same story he or she told before. If they stray from their witness statement, your lawyer can force them to explain why they have changed their story. The prior witness statement may even be entered into evidence.
  • Party admission: This is perhaps the most dangerous use of a witness statement. Courts assume that witnesses will not make false statements against their interests. So, if a driver hits your car and then runs up to say “I’m sorry that was my fault,” that statement can usually be entered into evidence.
  • Refreshing memory: If you have a great witness that gets on the stand and starts forgetting details, the witness can usually take out their previous statement and use it to help remember.
  • Recorded recollection: If you have a witness that totally goes blank, the witness will often be allowed to simply read directly from his or her previous statement.

Do Not Let Your Statements Be Used Against You!

Witness statements can just as easily be used against you. If you are in an accident, you should never allow yourself to be talked into making a statement to the other side or even to your own insurance company without advice from your own lawyer first. Call us for a free case review where we can talk through what happened and what options you may have.

How Lehmbecker Law Firm Can Help You

Your auto injury lawyer at Lehmbecker Law will determine how much compensation you are entitled to for your car accidentCar driving on road based on our decades of settlement experience in valuing:

  1. Past and future medical bills
  2. Pain & suffering
  3. Past and future wage loss if you cannot work
  4. Lost value on your car (diminished value claim)
  5. Loss of consortium (claim for damages suffered by the spouse or family member of a person who has been injured or killed.)

Protection from unknowingly accepting a low ball insurance offer will give you peace of mind, so contact us today.

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Settlements:

$460,000

Obtained for our client after being hit by driver making an illegal U-turn.

$5.7 Million

obtained for our client after being hit by a car while taking a walk in Bellevue, WA.

$2,000,000

for our client who suffered permanent cardiovascular impairment after his surgeon performed an unnecessary procedure during a heart surgery.

$2,000,000

for a young woman who suffered multiple orthopedic injuries after being struck in a crosswalk by a taxicab.

$2,000,000

for an elderly woman who suffered a shoulder injury after being struck in a crosswalk by a delivery van.

More Testimonials

Client Reviews:

“Please allow me to take this moment of your time to say thank you to all the members in your firm who worked on my case. I was so proud of the way my attorney handled herself and stood by myside during the court proceedings. It has been an honor and a privilege for me having all your legal help and advice for the past two years. It’s hard to say goodbye. Again, thank you.”

Kim Kent, WA

“Thanks again for all your help! You made a difficult situation much easier on us. We really appreciate everything you’ve done.”

Alana

“Lehmbecker Law has been outstanding in helping me deal with my Workers’ Comp claim. Before I hired them, it was very stressful trying to deal with the insurance companies and the medical bills. As soon as Lehmbecker Law took my case, my stress levels dropped and I was able to concentrate on getting better. I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs help with their workers’ comp claim.”

N.H. Woodinville, WA

“After a full year of fighting, Lehmbecker Law got me a full year of back wage loss. I couldn’t be happier or more relieved. This will make such a difference in my life. Now we are working on my vocational plan. Lehmbecker Law has been there for me and I will recommend them to anyone who needs help fighting L&I.”

A. Mayberry Woodinville, WA

“After my mother and I were involved in a car accident at the Westfield Shopping Mall at Southcenter I was in a lot of pain. Having your law firm oversee my medical treatment and make sure my bills got paid took away a lot of my stress. And, the settlement I received was even more than I expected. I recommend that anyone involved in a car accident call you and get representation. I truly believe I received a bigger settlement with you fighting for me than I would have gotten on my own.”

M. Bonifacio Federal Way, WA

“I am very happy with the results I received from settling two different cases I had with Mr. Lehmbecker and his law firm.

Mr. Lehmbecker is a very caring and knowledgeable attorney and I felt confident throughout both my cases that he would give me excellent results. I highly recommend Mr. Lehmbecker to anyone who has a personal injury, worker’s compensation or medical malpractice case.”

Y. Knotts Redmond, WA

“I am a lawyer in this community and have had the pleasure of working side by side with two lawyers from this firm, as well as some of the staff members. I am always glad to see other lawyers in the community doing a good job in representing their clients, and the lawyers with Larry Lehmbecker’s office will do that.”

“I have known Larry Lehmbecker for 15 years. I have conferred with Larry over the years regarding personal injury and workers’ compensation issues because I respect his knowledge and experience. I have always found his problem solving and case strategy skills to be thoughtful, practical, and helpful. I consider Larry to be one of top attorneys in his field.”

Attorney Christine Foster

“I had never been in a motor vehicle accident before, and I didn’t know who to turn to for help. After doing research on law firms in the area, I learned about Lehmbecker Law. My case was not an easy one, and there was a lot of emotion along the way. The team at Lehmbecker Law was terrific at navigating the difficulties of my case, from beginning to end. Throughout the process they were responsive, professional, and put my mind at ease during a difficult time. I strongly recommend that anybody who has been in a serious accident reach out to Lehmbecker Law.”

Katrina Issaquah

“Recently, I needed legal services to help me with my injury claim resulting from a drunk driver. The team at Lehmbecker Law was very helpful in the resolution of my claim. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have known how to address the many issues in my case. I would strongly recommend Lehmbecker Law for people who are injured and need help.”

Mozeyl Seattle

“This is an outstanding firm. I have used them twice now, and I would recommend them strongly to anybody who needs legal advice. I had a great experience with both of my cases. They are a very caring firm that truly has their clients’ best interests at heart.”

Darcelle Snohomish

“This law firm is Great. They kept me informed on all that was going on, they cared, were compassionate, kept on top of it like you were their only client. They are not afraid to take on the big companies to help out the little guy. Always straight shooters with me never had to ask twice and when I did have a question if the person I talked to didn’t know the answer they would find out what it was and always called you back. I never had a problem getting to talk to someone in the office, they never put me off with I will have them call you back unless they were not in the office, they always called back in a timely manner and with the questions I wanted answered. Great people to work with.I would recommend this law firm without hesitation to anyone that needed a great lawyer. I have had other lawyers in the past for different reasons and most of the time it was hard to get to speak to someone in the office not here. If you want a great law team on your side choose Larry Lehmbecker.”

Brenda

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Locations:

Washington Federal Building
400 108th Ave NE, Ste. 500 Bellevue, WA 98004

Uptown Square
1066 S. 320th St.
Building K, Suite F
Federal Way, WA 98003

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Just a few of our past clients…

Lehmbecker Law

Bellevue Car Accident Lawyer

400 - 108th Ave. NE, Suite 500 Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 455-3186 (888) 889-6895