Been asked to provide a witness statement

[Noodoodle]

Last year I witnessed a collision between a car and a bus. The car driver was clearly at fault, and when the driver got off he looked quite shaken. As I was very close by and passengers were mostly trying to shout or complain about what they were going to do now, I asked if he was ok, and decided that it would be a good idea to give my details as I witnessed but couldn't stop at the time. I don't know if that was a good thing, stupid or what, but I did.

Anyway, I've now gotten a letter from a solicitors asking for a witness statement. It basically says
"I, noodoodle, will say as follows" then asks what happened, when, who did what, who I think is to blame, etc. At the end it says "I believe the facts stated in this witness statement are true". In capitals for emphasis... what is this for, for insurance or comp for the driver of the bus, or for a case going to court? It doesn't say, does anyone know? I don't know why but thinking it is for court and maybe I would have to say it, freaks me out, I'm quite shy and...just the thought fills me with dread actually. Never had something like this before.

Please do it, you probably won't have to go to court,

The format of the statement is geared up for court proceedings, verified by the statement of truth. That's ultimately where this would go, but if you don't do-operate you're unlikely to be compelled unless it is a high value case where the driver was badly injured (which doesn't sound like it's the case).

Just ensure you read the statement very precisely and not just skim it and say "yeah that's near enough". If you do go to court, you'll be asked in quite some detail about your statement.

Also include anything you think is relevant, even if the solicitor hasn't.

Don't be afraid to make amendments to it if it isn't precise in its accuracy. It's your evidence and you will potentially have to answer to it, the solicitor won't.

Another story - a friend slid into a parked car on an snowy day and caused a very minor dent in its bumper as a result of someone deliberately and suddenly reversing into the road in front of her. The owner of the parked car claimed this 'crash' had caused him severe whiplash. Thing is, the car was empty and the owner wasn't even in the area! He was later found to be in a fake insurance claim racket and was faking many accidents.

Friend was asked to make a statement. She did. She was then asked if she would go to court. She agreed. The case never went to court and she never heard any more.

DS provided a witness statement for a minor car accident case that did go to Court, he provided the written statement but was not asked to go to Court, I imagine it was just provided for evidence

Haffdonga I have no reason not to be honest about it, as in make things up for either side? it was obvious to me before it happened, I remember saying in my head "that's not getting round there". And it didn't. And I HATE speeding drivers (as someone who has, with ds and dh, been hit by one) with a passion. If I had been 30seconds earlier I would've been crossing where they drove, or a kid could've been. I've actually just talked myself into remembering why I felt compelled to help. Ha, thanks haffdonga

I was asked to do this.
I witnessed an accident between and car and a truck. The truck was at fault. I worked in a shop overlooking the junction. The car driver came in to the shop a few days later, really upset, the truck driver had said he was at fault. He was a young guy and it was his mums car.
The insurers sent me a witness form.

I filled in all the sections and then in the additional information section I clearly said that it was the fault of the truck driver.

I never heard any more.

Out of interest which bus company is it? I actually work in the legal department for a bus company and send out these statements all time. Not many cases go to court and it's usually because witnesses (such as you) bother to reply 😀

Petal12 I'm not sure, a london one, I think stagecoach but possibly arriva, we have both here and the buses look the same just the small different name somewhere on them.