Expert Witness In Auto Accidents

Salley Law Firm • March 11, 2020

Expert Witnesses In Auto Accidents

In a court of law, expert witnesses are the only individuals that are entitled to give their opinions on matters that they have not personally observed or witnessed themselves. In order to qualify as an expert witness, an individual must have a special knowledge or proficiency in a field of study that is not common to the ordinary individual.

Many times in personal injury actions, even though an accident may seem straight forward, expert witness will be required to help prove your case to a jury or to insurance claims adjusters to ensure that you are being fully compensated for your damages.

There are several different types of expert witnesses one can utilize in proving your personal injury damages.

1) Medical Experts. These experts will be the most familiar to you as they will be your doctors and other health professionals that will testify about the injuries you have sustained in the accident. They will tell the juries and/or adjusters about the treatments you have received and your expected recovery. They may also testify about the treatments you will need in the future and about the pain, suffering, and mental anguish you have suffered as a result of your injuries.

2) Economist. Many times when you have been in a serious accident, you will miss work. When you miss time from work, you will likely suffer other adverse consequences such as the loss of promotions and loss of pension benefits. An economist will calculate and testify about the cost of your lost wages, medical expenses (past and future), and your diminished earning capacity if you have a permanent disability.

3) Highway Safety Experts. In some cases it may be necessary to hire an engineer to testify about the road conditions that existed at the time of your incident using the road designs and construction expertise.

4) Accident Reconstructionists. An accident reconstructionist will recreate the accident in order for the jury or the adjuster to see just how severe it really was. They will likely use models or computer programs to rebuild the scene and present the physics of the accident to show the speed and force of the crash. These experts are very useful in illustrating how an impact can cause significant, life altering injuries.

If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, please contact Salley Law Firm for your free consultation at (803) 356-5000. We also offer weekend and evening appointments. We have been serving injured people and their families for over 20 years.

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