Defining fault in a car accident is a necessity to ensure the responsible party is held liable for damages and injuries. Unfortunately, many accident cases devolve into a series of "he said, she said" scenarios, which can make it difficult to get down to the truth. The key to proving your case is to find witnesses to the event. The following tips can help you track down anyone that saw the accident when it occurred.

Tip #1: Survey Local Businesses

Many businesses, whether retail, fueling station, or office building, now feature exterior security cameras. These cameras often pick up bits of the street view. Check to see which businesses line the road where your accident occurred and to see if they have cameras and footage of the accident. There may also be traffic cameras in the area, installed by the city or by local news crews, that may also have footage of the event. If the footage exists, your lawyer can legally request that it is entered as evidence.

Tip #2: Ask At a Nearby Stops

The same people often drive the same route at the same times. These people may stop at area businesses regularly during their commute, especially at fast food establishments or fueling stations. You can ask the proprietors of these establishments if you can hang a flier in a visible location requesting witnesses to the accident. Make sure to include the date and time of the accident, along with an identifying detail, such as the type of vehicles involved. Don't forget to include contact information.

Tip #3: Take Out an Ad

Place an advertisement in the newspaper, in local community papers, and on online notice boards, such as Craigslist.org, asking for witnesses to the event. If there are apartment complexes near the accident scene, see if they have a community board or newsletter that you can include a notice in. Once again, specify the date, time, details and contact information in the ad. Do not offer a reward for witnesses, though. The court may see this as bribery, which will make the witness testimony suspect. This can severely hurt your case.

A local attorney is your best ally when it comes to finding witnesses to your accident. In some cases, officers at the scene, or even an insurance adjuster, has already taken down witness details. Your lawyer can help you hunt down this information if it already exists. For more information about auto accidents, contact a firm like Gibbs and Parnell.