Are Your Witnesses Credible?

• July 22, 2021
• Personal Injury

Originally Published: July 22, 2021 • Updated: July 24, 2026

Many personal injury claims involve witnesses who provide statements about what they saw happen before, during, and after an accident. These statements can help corroborate your claims and the supporting elements of causation and liability. Reliable testimony strengthens your ability to prove the other driver was at fault. However, if a witness lacks credibility, their statement may end up hurting your case rather than helping.

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What Affects Witness Credibility?

The definition of credibility is the “quality of being trustworthy or believable.”

Common issues that can hurt credibility, making your witnesses less believable, include:

• Prior criminal record
• Reputation for being dishonest
• Memory problems or being easily confused
• Poor eyesight or hearing (not wearing prescribed eyeglasses or hearing aid at the time of the accident)
• Under the influence of drugs, prescription or over-the-counter medicine, or alcohol
• History of lying to the police or other authorities
• Testimony that is not clear or consistent

A witness with any of these issues may unintentionally weaken your case.

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How credible witnesses strengthen your case

Your lawyer may need to clarify a witness statement to ensure accuracy by asking questions such as:

• Did the witness observe the entire incident? If not, what was the witness doing during that time? How much of the accident did the witness see?
• At what vantage point was the witness when the incident occurred? Was there a clear line of sight or was it impeded by anything making it more difficult to see?
• Was the witness involved in the incident (e.g., a victim instead of a witness)?
• Is there a personal relationship between the witness and any participant involved in the case? Could that relationship influence their testimony?
• Is the witness biased toward anyone involved in the case?
• Does the testimony contradict any other evidence?
• Does the witness have a public reputation?
• Was the witness under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol at the time of the incident?

An essential factor in your case is a witness who saw the accident and can confirm how it happened. The strongest witnesses are neutral third parties who have no stake in the outcome of your case, have a high level of credibility, and can provide persuasive testimony that is consistent.

Questions? Call us at (877) 284-6600.

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WHY HIRE NASH & FRANCISKATO?

Injuries due to another’s negligence? Call Nash & Franciskato at (877) 284-6600. We have a successful track record of helping accident victims collect the compensation they deserve.

In the Kansas City area and across Missouri, the Nash & Franciskato Law Firm will fight for your rights. Contact our legal team today. One of our experienced staff will speak with you personally and will provide you with a free, no-obligation review of your case.

SCHEDULE A FREE REVIEW OF YOUR CASE

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Past results afford no guarantee of future results, and each case is different and is judged on its own merits. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

Photo Credits:

• photographee.eu(Katarzyna Białasiewicz) –The driver that raced too fast – via www.depositphoto.com
• CoffeeMate(Tanawat Pontchour) – hand writing on incident witness paper  – via www.depositphoto.com