The term “expert witness” is gaining a lot of popularity these days. You undoubtedly heard it in a nationally televised high-profile court case. Perhaps the expert witness you saw on TV was a medical expert in a high-profile malpractice case or a DNA expert in a murder trial. Expert witnesses are significant tools in these types of cases, but they can also be crucial in your car accident case. Therefore, when you approach a car accident attorney in Athens, he would refer someone for expert testimony.
How Can Expert Testimony Be Helpful?
Expert witnesses can assist with motorcycle, truck, and bicycle accidents, wrongful death, and various other personal injury matters. Some vehicle accident situations are straightforward, and faults can be decided quickly. Even minor collisions, such as a rear-end collision, can result in intense arguments over who is to blame for the injuries and damages caused by accident. This is why having an expert witness on your side can be extremely beneficial to your case.
Expert witnesses can provide crucial information about a case, including the severity of your injuries, the cause of the accident, and the expense of future care. In a personal injury case, their testimony and advisory services can be crucial. In addition, they can provide auto accident attorneys in Athens with a lot of negotiating power when it comes to compensation.
Car accident lawyers frequently consult experts to get assistance from them to create a strong case. The lawyer may advise you to hire an expert witness depending on the facts of your case. Schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers in Athens to learn more.
What Is an Expert Witness, exactly?
An expert witness is a specialist who was not there at the time of your accident. They do, however, have specific expertise, training, education, or experience in the facts of your case, which they can utilize to support your claim. An expert witness and an eyewitness are not the same. Someone who witnessed your accident is known as an eyewitness. If your attorney decides to call an expert witness at trial, they must name them all ahead of time for them to qualify as experts in court.
In circumstances when there are no eyewitnesses to the accident, an expert witness is very useful. A skilled expert witness can make educated guesses about what caused the accident and create physical and computer models to submit to a jury. Even if your case does not go to trial, an expert witness’ judgment might impact the insurance company’s decision to grant compensation one way or the other.
Who Is Eligible to Serve as an Expert Witness?
Those with scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge who can aid the judge or jury in evaluating evidence or determining facts may testify according to the rules of evidence. Expert witness testimony may be permitted if these three conditions are met:
● First, the testimony is about a topic with which the average juror is unfamiliar.
● Second, because the expert is testifying in a cutting-edge field, his or her testimony can be trusted.
● Third, the witness has sufficient knowledge to give his or her desired view.
In a vehicle accident case, a variety of professionals may be qualified to serve as expert witnesses:
● Medical providers
● Economists
● Accident reconstructionist
● Engineers
Establishing Fault
One of the most crucial roles of an expert witness is to assist you in proving your case’s wrongdoing. The following are examples of professionals who could be helpful in this situation:
Reconstructionist: An accident reconstructionist reconstructs a car accident, examines the collision, and comments on how the incident happened and who was at fault.
To determine the speed, vehicle directions, stopping distances, and momentum, he or she uses scientific procedures.
If distracted driving is suspected, a cell phone records specialist can examine when calls and messages were made and whether any were being made at the time of the accident.
Expert in Highway Engineering: This type of expert can talk about how the road design may have played a role in the accident.
Attending a Trial
If your lawsuit gets to trial, you will have to prove that the other party was negligent in causing your harm. An expert witness may be called to testify on your behalf to discuss aspects of your accident, such as:
● Your injuries’ kind, extent, severity, and prognosis
● What impact the accident may have on your quality of life
● Your accident’s cause and contributing elements
● The magnitude of your financial losses
Specialists in Rehabilitation
A rehabilitation expert could be a physical therapist, a social worker, or another professional knowledgeable about your impairments and the recovery process. The professional rehabilitation expert looks at how your recuperation will influence your job, which includes how long it will take you to return to your previous job if you can do so. Alternatively, if necessary, they can look into how long it will take you to retrain in another area or profession. They will then work with your doctor to figure out how much your recuperation will cost you in terms of both time and money.
Experts in Engineering
If you suspect difficulties with the road caused your accident, you should consult an engineering specialist.
An engineering specialist will have a thorough understanding of traffic and construction laws and will be able to remark on any concerns that may have contributed to your accident.
Economists
Following an automobile accident, various damages can be awarded, including economic and non-economic losses. Lost wages, impaired quality of life, and the impact your automobile accident has had on your capacity to earn a living are just a few of the damages possible following a car accident. As a result, the amount of compensation you can receive in your case will be determined by the facts and circumstances of your accident. It’s difficult to put a monetary value on non-economic costs like pain and suffering. You can get aid from an economist, and your lawyer will come up with a sound economic basis for calculating the value of your past, current, and future damages.
What Is the Best Place to Look for an Expert Witness?
Just as no two accidents are the same, the expert you require will be unique to your situation. In some cases, an Internet search will provide you with the information you require.
If you have accessibility to a legal database, looking up cases that mention expert testimony could be beneficial. If you don’t have access to a legal database, you can inquire if anyone involved in a comparable accident hired an expert witness. Knowing that an expert has testified in a case similar to yours raises the likelihood that they will be a suitable fit for you. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Athens, GA, will most likely be able to refer you to an expert.
Get in Touch With a Reliable and Experienced Car Accident Attorney Right Away
Dealing with the aftermath of an automobile accident, whether or not you require an expert witness, might seem impossible. However, strong legal representation can assist you in obtaining all of the resources you require to recuperate.
If you or your loved ones have been harmed in an automobile accident, get in touch with us. Our personal injury lawyer in Athens, GA, can answer your inquiries about expert witnesses, compensation, and everything else. Connect with us at 1-800-522-2277.
