I make a lousy witness

[A930Rocket]

I was working on my 911 yesterday, and I heard a loud bang! I walk out of the garage, and I see a car taking a right hand turn at the stop sign. After the car passes, I walk over to the corner, and they had knocked down the stop sign. They also left their inner fender liner.

As I’m looking at the damage and talking to a neighbor, the lady drives past again, and I see it’s a grey four-door, small SUV, Mazda, but I don’t know what model. I see the plate is the new style for SC, but I couldn’t read the license plate number. She was still looking at her phone. Unfortunately, I did not have my phone with me.

A couple weeks ago, a truck hit the mailboxes down the road and I was able to take pictures of him. I took a look at the mailboxes and there was no damage. He definitely got some scrapes on his truck though.

So, do you make a good witness?

[Zeke]

Probably not. It's not in the averages. 10 people — 10 stories. Cameras don't lie. Seems like there's always at least a Ring. And more are coming to most streets.

[Rick Lee]

No Flock camera in the neighborhood yet?

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

No Flock camera in the neighborhood yet?

Not that I know of.

I also found a clear piece of plastic, so it’s either broke a headlight or running light.

[masraum]

I'm sure that I probably make a moderate witness. I could probably figure out the color/make/model, but I don't know that I'd think "better get the plate" and my first reaction to stuff is not usually "better take a picture".

[ckissick]

I'm an excellent witness, apparently. Years ago, I was driving on a straight stretch of Highway 280 near San Francisco when a Porsche, maybe 50 yards ahead of me, crossed from right to left, crossing all lanes at nearly a 90-degree angle. He was hit a few times and many other cars hit each other. I slalomed through the carnage and came to a stop on the left shoulder. No one was hurt beyond cuts and bruises.

The Porsche driver said someone clipped his rear end, sending him into a spin, but he left the scene. That's probably what happened, because how else would a Porsche go into a spin while cruising down the slow lane of a straight stretch of freeway?

Anyway, I gave my account of the incident in a deposition and afterwards, the steno said I was the best witness she ever heard. So I guess I'm, as I said, an excellent witness.

[Baz]

Having your camera handy works best, if possible.

I don't use a smart phone but I do have a small Canon point and shoot I keep in the driver side door pocket while driving and then with me inside and outside while doing stuff around the house.

It helps but is not always fool proof....

[Dantilla]

I witnessed an accident. Saw what was about to happen, watched closely, and.... Yup! Crunch!
Gave the same narrative to both insurance companies.

A couple weeks later, got a call from an attorney who wanted me to change the story.
"You could be called to testify, which can be a very uncomfortable experience"

"I'd be happy to."
Never heard anything else.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

I witnessed an accident. Saw what was about to happen, watched closely, and.... Yup! Crunch!
Gave the same narrative to both insurance companies.

A couple weeks later, got a call from an attorney who wanted me to change the story.
"You could be called to testify, which can be a very uncomfortable experience"

"I'd be happy to."
Never heard anything else.

Had a similar thing happen to me. The attorney tried to put words in my mouth and spin what I'd seen into a whole 'nother narrative. I told him he was making up stories, and that I'd contacted the other driver after the accident and let her know I was available to testify on her behalf. Never heard from anyone about it again.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I am an excellent witness for anything involving cars. I can get the make, model, color, year, accident details, etc. If I ever witness a murder the police are screwed because I can’t describe people to save my life.

[Baz]

I'll try to find the photos.

I was driving in my work truck back eastward on Pioneer Trail one day when I saw an airplane coming in super low.....realized it was in trouble and was going to crash land.

Which it did. I saw the whole thing - no other cars on the road at the time. Ended up in a ditch by the roadside.

Soon after some other vehicles were showing up.

Small fire, IIRC. Pilot climbed out - walked across the road - and sat down on the other side.

I had already called it in.

Pilot said he was OK so after the emergency folks showed up I left.

Man that was pretty crazy!

[LWJ]

I have an uncanny ability to remember people and put together odd, seemingly not connect things.

I would be a crap witness. Memory is weird. It supposedly changes each time you remember / revisit it.

I do know this. Every event I have personally witnessed that has been later reported in a paper or TV or similar, has had a 50% accuracy at very best. Not a political spin. It is people's filters and memory inaccuracy.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Every event I have personally witnessed that has been later reported in a paper or TV or similar, has had a 50% accuracy at very best.

Ditto.
Getting the story out quick is more important than accuracy.

[Zeke]

I'm told I have excellent memory. I did, but I see mistakes now. That brings up the subject of when people don't remember but they're sure they have it correct. I actually may have been guilty of that before I caught myself. Now I figure I'm just not reliable and would tell any lawyer, judge, jury, or investigator that I'm just not sure.

It would be more or less true.

I think Baz has said we all need front and rear cameras in the car. I agree. I'll hold off on the body camera.

[GothingNC]

I was glad I had my phone while walking the dog. This car hit my neighbors SUV and pushed it into a tree.

She claims there was a spider in the car and she panicked, yeah right…

The tree will be Ok.

[billybek]

Originally Posted by GothingNC

I was glad I had my phone while walking the dog. This car hit my neighbors SUV and pushed it into a tree.

She claims there was a spider in the car and she panicked, yeah right…

The tree will be Ok.

I had a friend that was deathly afraid of spiders. He almost was hit by a truck when he slammed on the brakes and jumped out of the car when he found a spider on his leg.

[LWJ]

Spider or pushing the wrong pedal? Fault is the same. No need for an excuse.

[Bill Douglas]

I'm actually quite good. Example being:

There was a guy across the road staring at my house so I went outside and stared back at him. He left trying to hide his face. 10 minutes later there were police cars just down the road, so I went across the road and pretended I was looking at the beach. A cop came and asked me if I've seen anyone suspicious. I said "Yes A Maori guy, 5'10", green trousers brown jacket, 90kg, looks like William Bell RSA murderer but slightly softer features. Looks street, like a bar fly, and left in that direction." The cop asked my name and took off. A week or two later the cop phoned and said he burgled a house a few doors away and disappeared , but thanks to my description a cop got him at the railway station eight kilometres away.

[sc_rufctr]

^^^^ Nice result.

I don't know how good I'd be but I'm terrible at remembering peoples names moments after being introduced to them...
But then about 6 hours later their name pops into my head!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

No Flock camera in the neighborhood yet?

I see maybe four or five in your area on Cave Creek Road(s) and Tom Darlington.

None in neighborhoods that I see. Is your comment serious?

I read a little tiny bit, great system but ownership of the pics can make it a PITA given you don't have to share and others saying you must share.