When a car accident happens, witness statements can play a big role in showing what really happened. If you saw the crash, your words can help insurance companies, lawyers, and sometimes even the court understand how the accident occurred. This guide will walk you through how to write a car accident witness statement step by step.
Whether you’re helping someone else by giving your statement or you’re the one who needs to ask for one, it’s important to know what to include—and what to leave out.
Do Car Accident Witnesses Have to Give a Statement?
If you witnessed a car crash, you are not required by law to give a written statement in most situations. However, if someone was hurt or serious damage occurred, you may need to call 911 and stay to speak with law enforcement. Police officers might ask you what you saw. You can choose to provide more details later in writing if asked by insurance companies, attorneys, or others involved in the case.
Why Are Car Accident Witness Statements Important?
A witness statement is helpful because it offers a view of the crash from someone who isn’t directly involved. This helps investigators understand what happened more clearly. Sometimes drivers involved in the crash remember things differently or leave out important details. A third-party witness can help fill in the blanks with their own memory of the event.
Also, insurance companies often use witness statements when figuring out who caused the crash. If your statement is clear and accurate, it may even help settle the case faster.
How Car Accident Witness Statements Help Victims
A strong statement from a witness can make a big difference for someone injured in the accident. Here’s how:
Providing an Unbiased Account
Witnesses usually don’t know the people involved in the crash. This makes their view of the accident more neutral and fair. Insurance adjusters and attorneys often rely on that kind of detail.
Showing a Different Perspective
Drivers only see what’s in front of them. But a witness might have seen the whole crash from another angle—like from a sidewalk, nearby business, or another vehicle.
Helping with Quicker Settlements
When insurance companies have clear, unbiased details, they don’t have to spend as much time investigating or arguing. That means injured people may get the help or money they need sooner.
What to Include in a Car Accident Witness Statement
Writing your statement doesn’t have to be hard. Just stick to what you saw and remember to be honest. Here’s what to include:
Your Full Name and Contact Information
Start your statement by writing your full name, phone number, and address. That way, if someone needs to contact you later with more questions, they can.
The Who, What, When, and Where
Explain who was involved (if you know), what happened, when it happened, and where it happened. Try to be specific. If you looked at the time on your phone, include that. Use street names, intersections, or nearby businesses to describe the location.
How the Crash Happened (From Your View)
Describe how you saw the crash unfold. Write in your own words and explain what you were doing before it happened. Were you walking, driving, or sitting somewhere? Where were you compared to the cars? Did you hear brakes screech or see someone run a red light? These details matter.
What You Noticed After the Crash
Write down what you saw right after the crash. Were people hurt? Did anyone get out of their car slowly, or seem in pain? Was there damage to the vehicles? Include what you saw, not what you think happened.
Conditions Around the Crash
Mention any weather or road conditions. Was it raining? Were the roads slick or dry? Was the sun in someone’s eyes? Details like this can help explain how the crash might have happened.
Other People or Witnesses
If you saw others who were watching the accident too, mention that. If you overheard someone say something like “that driver ran the light,” you can include that too, but make sure to say you’re repeating what someone else said.
Sign and Date Your Statement
Finish the statement by signing your name and writing the date. This helps show that your statement was made at a specific time and hasn’t been changed.
What Not to Include in a Witness Statement
While your statement should be detailed, there are things that don’t belong in it:
Personal Opinions
Avoid saying things like “I think they were drunk” or “They looked angry.” Unless you saw clear signs, don’t assume. Just write what you saw or heard.
Personal Feelings
Try not to add feelings like “It scared me” or “I was shocked.” The focus should be on the crash, not your emotions.
Assumptions
Don’t guess what someone was thinking or planning. For example, don’t write “They must’ve been texting.” Only include what you know from your senses—what you saw, heard, or maybe even smelled.
Car Accident Witness Statement Example
Here’s a short example of what a clear witness statement might look like:
Date: June 10, 2025
Time: 3:35 PM
Location: Intersection of Main St and 5th Ave, Las Vegas, NV
Witness: John Smith, 555-123-4567
“I was standing at the bus stop on 5th Ave facing the intersection. I saw a silver Toyota sedan driving east on Main St. The light was green for the Toyota. A black SUV came from the south and ran the red light, hitting the passenger side of the Toyota. I heard a loud crash and saw both vehicles come to a stop near the sidewalk. The woman driving the Toyota looked shaken and was holding her arm. The SUV driver got out and started checking his car. It was sunny and dry outside. I did not see any other witnesses around me.”
Signature: John Smith
Date: June 10, 2025
What to Do If You Need a Witness Statement
If you’re the one who was in the accident and think someone else saw what happened, try to talk to them. Here’s how:
Ask for Their Help
Walk over calmly and ask if they saw the accident. Let them know you’d appreciate a written statement or if they’d be willing to speak to your lawyer or insurance.
Record Their Words
If they agree, you can write it down or record it (with their permission). Even a short voice note on your phone can be helpful.
Get Their Contact Info
Make sure to get their name, phone number, and, if they’re okay with it, an email or address.
Nevada Crash Data: Why Witnesses Matter
From 2016 to 2020, there were 171,343 crashes in the Las Vegas and Henderson area. Out of those, 1,489 were fatal and over 100,000 caused injuries. With numbers like that, having clear details from witnesses is one of the best ways to understand how and why a crash happened.
Call for Help After a Car Accident
If you saw a crash or were part of one, it’s important to take the right steps—starting with safety, calling 911, and helping investigators understand the full story. A clear and honest witness statement can make a big difference for someone trying to recover from an accident.
If you’ve been in a car crash and think a witness might help your case, don’t wait. Reach out to our Las Vegas car accident lawyers to help make sure your rights are protected. Call (702) 970-4222 today to learn what steps to take next.
