Role of Expert Witnesses in Accident Cases

If you’ve been in an accident and need a lawyer, it’s possible that lawyer may, at some point, involve an expert witness in your case. Expert witnesses can be an integral part of accident cases, and are often summoned to offer specialized knowledge that can shed light on complex issues. This can help judges and juries understand the fundamentals of a case and make decisions that are grounded in fact.

Who Are Expert Witnesses?

You might hear the word ‘witness’ and think of people who saw the accident take place. These are the people from whom your lawyer may gather witness statements after an accident, but they are not expert witnesses.

Expert witnesses hold knowledge or experience above that of the lawyer and the average person. In accident cases, their expertise often has to do with medical knowledge or familiarity with accident reconstruction. Expert witnesses provide objective expertise in their area of study, simplifying the details of a case that the average person may find confusing or overly complex.

Types of Expert Witnesses

Medical Experts

Doctors, surgeons, and other health care professionals are often called to testify on the nature of injuries, the severity of harm done in an accident, and the details of treatment and recovery.

Accident Reconstruction Specialists

Accident reconstruction specialists are authorities on understanding what happened and how in an accident. Their testimony is often invaluable because, after accidents, it can be difficult to determine fault or a timeline of events. These professionals are called on to use their expertise to establish that information.

Economists

Economic experts can be very important in accident cases. Just as it can be difficult for the average person to determine what happened in an accident, it can be difficult for the average person to calculate how much money they lost as a result. Economists can be called to provide those calculations, helping to establish the monetary effect of an accident in the present and in future medical bills and lost wages. They might also be summoned to comment on property damage claims after a car accident.

Engineers

Engineers can serve as expert witnesses to establish if a technical or mechanical failure contributed to an accident. Someone in trial may want to prove the manufacturer is responsible for the severity of their injuries or disprove the defendant’s claim that their faulty brakes were a contributing factor. Engineers can provide insight into these issues.

How Expert Witnesses Can Help

There are a handful of ways in which expert witnesses can help clients in the midst of an accident case. They provide:

Clarity

Expert witnesses can use their familiarity with their field to take complex injuries, diagrams, or calculations, and make them understandable to a judge or jury.

Strengthening Evidence

In accident cases, multiple parties often make different claims as to exactly what took place and who is to blame. The side that is able to have an expert verify an important aspect of their claim strengthens their overall case.

Objective Analysis

One of the strongest aspects of expert witnesses is their objectivity. Judges and juries are likely to see that many of the parties involved in a case have a personal stake in presenting a narrative that suits their side. When used correctly, expert witnesses can stand as a voice of reason, carrying a certain weight by being an impartial party whose only role is to provide information.

Final Thoughts

Expert witnesses aren’t always necessary in accident cases, but when they are, you’ll be glad you have them. Their presence is another reason why hiring an attorney for your accident case is a must! The legal professionals from Gage Mathers have access to any expert witnesses you might need, as they can be an integral part in making sure you get the compensation you deserve.

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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