When someone is injured in a slip and fall accident, they often believe their case is simple. They can point to a dangerous condition, like a wet floor or uneven surface, and the property owner’s negligence to fix it. However, cases like this can quickly become complicated, especially if witnesses give different accounts of what happened.
Eyewitnesses are important in determining liability in a case. However, their stories may not always match due to various reasons. Witnesses may have seen the accident from different angles, or some witnesses may have only seen one part of the accident and not the other. Moreover, as time passes, people get confused and forget details.
When these inconsistencies arise, insurance companies or defense attorneys may use them to create doubt. If you are in a similar situation, get help from an attorney from the Acelawgroup today.
What are witness inconsistencies?
Witness inconsistencies occur when the witnesses provide contradictory or different statements about the accident. This can show up in many ways. Contradictory statements may arise when the witness provides conflicting information about the same event, such as different descriptions of what occurred or who was involved.
The witness may also provide different information each time they describe the accident, as they will recall different facts at different times. However, this can raise doubt about their credibility.
Lastly, there may be arguments between witness testimonies. When two different experts will provide their opinion on the same event, it can lead to a lot of confusion. These inconsistencies can complicate the investigation and legal proceedings.
Common causes of inconsistencies
There can be several reasons for the inconsistencies in the witness statements. The main reason is confusion or memory lapse. The human brain is not completely reliable. You may forget the details over a period of time, which can lead to confusion and discrepancies in witness statements.
Another cause may be misinterpretation or miscommunication about the event. Witnesses can perceive the same situation differently or fail to understand certain details. This can lead to variations in their statement. Additionally, sometimes external parties such as attorneys, police officers, or other witnesses can pressure the witness, which can lead to inconsistencies.
How can witness inconsistencies affect your case?
1. Impact on credibility.
If a witness provides an inconsistent statement in court, it can raise doubt on their credibility. Their reliability will be undermined, and the jury will not believe the facts presented by them. If a key witness in a case changes their story or offers contradictory details over time, it can weaken their reliability.
Moreover, it can also put the plaintiff’s statements in doubt. For example, if the statement provided by the witness differs from the story told by the plaintiff, it can create confusion about what actually happened.
2. Consequences in court.
Inconsistencies in the witness statements can result in severe consequences in the court. The defense will see it as an opportunity to challenge your case. The defense attorneys know very well how to identify the weakness in the opposing party’s statements or evidence.
They might argue that the plaintiff is making false statements or misinterpreting the event. This can weaken your argument and reduce your chances of winning the case.
3. Insurance companies and settlements.
Lastly, inconsistent statements can also be harmful to your insurance claims. The insurance company does not rely on your statement to understand the incident. They use witness statements to confirm the validity of your claims.
However, if they find any errors or inconsistencies in the statements provided by the witnesses, they might question your claim. If you fail to provide enough evidence to support your claim, it might result in a claim denial.
Don’t let witness inconsistencies ruin your case!
If your eyewitnesses are giving inconsistent accounts of the accident, your attorney may be able to help. Hire one today!
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