3 Ways Expert Witness Testimony Can Help a Personal Injury Case
Michael Babboni
Personal Injury
If you have been involved in a car accident or other personal injury case, then expert witness testimony can be what makes or breaks the case. These witnesses ultimately play a vital role in your claim and can add credibility to your argument.Here are 3 ways expert witness testimony can help your personal injury case.
Different Types of Expert Witnesses
Let's first break down the different types of expert witnesses there are. In many cases, people choose medical doctors, and in others, expert witnesses could be economic experts, product design experts, or even motor carrier responsibility experts. Depending on the case type, finding the right expert witness can prove beneficial to your case.
What Is the Purpose of an Expert Witness?
An expert witness's role in a personal injury case is to provide important and valuable testimony for those that may not understand or have the knowledge or experience to comprehend everything going on in the case.
For example, a medical expert can weigh in on someone's health and how injuries can ultimately affect a person. On the other hand, an economic expert is best for explaining the financial ramifications of an accident.
Downside to Expert Witnesses
However, there is still a downside to using expert witness testimonials in any personal injury case. In many cases, the plaintiff and defendant call on the same expert witnesses. In this case, they very well may provide the exact same type of testimony for both sides.
Sometimes expert witnesses are also put on retainer as a way to attack the credibility of a plaintiff in a case. Additionally, the costs involved to secure these expert witnesses have also risen in recent years, making them not as accessible to everyone.
Ways this Testimony Can Help
Now that we understand the role of expert witnesses a bit better, let's take a closer look at the 3 ways, it can help your personal injury case.
Strengthen Your Claim
In many cases, this testimony can go a long way to strengthen your claim. The expertise and knowledge they hold can help explain some of the more complex elements of the case. It is the objective opinion of an expert in their field who has special knowledge, training, and education.
Build Credibility
In the same respect, the expert witness testimony can also help you build credibility with your case. They can explain some of the more complex issues to fact-finders, and many jurors may be swayed by what they have to say.
Investigate the Claim In Depth
It also offers the chance for the jury and judge to investigate the claim in even more depth. More time will be taken to review the case as a whole, and the witness's expert testimony can help prove the plaintiff's account. The witness may even be able to offer new information that can be used to prove who was at fault for the accident.
Requirements for Expert Witnesses
In order to be considered an expert witness, the person needs to be qualified as an expert in their field. They need to show their technical, scientific, or specialized knowledge, while proving they can understand the evidence being presented.
The testimony also has to have a sufficient basis in facts or actual data. Additionally, the witness's testimony should be based on reliable methods and principles and those methods and principles should be reliably applied to the facts of the case.
If you have been in an accident and want expert witness testimony to help prove your case, then speak with your personal injury attorney to see what needs to be done to take this step.