How Expert Witnesses Can Strengthen Your Car Accident Case

 Posted on September 12, 2017 in Car Accidents

Car accidents can be complex and messy. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else, you deserve compensation for your losses. Often times, car accident cases become complicated and require extensive courtroom litigation. A qualified personal injury attorney can assess your case and explain potential strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes an expert witness can be used to testify on your behalf and strengthen your case for collecting damages.

Proving Who Was at Fault

One of the first things an accident victim must do is prove that he or she was not at fault or was less at fault than the other driver for the crash. If fault is not obvious, each side may call upon expert witnesses to testify as to who caused the accident. Expert witnesses may analyze the accident, draw conclusions based on evidence, and explain their findings and fact-based opinions at trial. Medical professionals, economists, accident reconstructionists and engineers commonly use their experience and knowledge to explain what happened during the accident and what the effects were.

Proving Injuries Were Caused By an Accident

Once fault has been established, the legal inquiry will turn to damages. In the context of personal injury law, damages refers to the monetary compensation an injured victim may collect. To do so, the accident victim must prove that the injuries he or she sustained were the result of the accident. This is when an expert witness such as a doctor is helpful. A medical expert witness can reliably explain what medical treatment the victim required and what further treatment he or she will need in the future. The expert can also explain to the jury how serious the accident victim’s injuries are and what pain and suffering the victim will endure. If the victim of a car accident has a pre-existing health condition or if their injuries will require significant medical treatment in the future, medical expert witnesses are critical.

In some cases, an insurance company may also use expert witnesses to refute the injured party’s claims. It is important to understand that expert testimony is not foolproof and is subject to cross-examination by the opposing side. Your attorney can help you challenge an expert witness for the insurance company or find other experts to discredit the defense expert’s testimony.

Contact an Attorney Today

If you have been injured in a car accident, an experienced Orland Park personal injury attorney can help protect your best interests and work to get you the compensation you deserve. The insurance company has a team of lawyers and experts, and you should too. Contact Schwartz Injury Law for a free consultation today.

Source:

https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/auto-accidents-lawyer-manual