What Kinds of Witnesses Can Help Your Car Accident Case?
When filling a car accident lawsuit, demonstrating the at-fault party’s negligence is crucial to establishing liability and securing compensation. Expert witnesses can play a vital role in explaining complex aspects of the accident and injuries to the judge or jury, thereby strengthening your case.
What is an expert witness in an injury case?
Expert witnesses are experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable professionals who are hired by a lawyer to give their opinion or explain the circumstances of an accident. While it is normal for personal injury claims to become complex, they provide an opinion and explanations that can clarify complex terms and circumstances, helping to establish negligence, liability, and damages, which are all required for a personal injury claim to be successful.
Different kinds of expert witnesses that may help your Phoenix car accident case
Several types of expert witnesses that your lawyer may hire to help your car accident case, such as:
- Medical professionals: Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers can explain how your injuries impact your life. They can provide detailed insights into the nature of your injuries, the treatment required, potential future treatment, and the long term effects on your health and daily activities. For instance, they can break down the costs associated with surgeries and rehabilitation.
- Mental health professionals: Psychologists and therapists can testify about the mental and emotional impact of the accident. They can provide detailed accounts of conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, explaining how these issues affect your life and daily routines.
- Accident reconstruction specialists: These experts recreate the accident scene using evidence such as photos, videos, and surveillance footage. They can clarify the events leading up to the crash, identify the negligent behaviors involved, and establish liability.
- Vocational experts: These professionals assess how your injuries affect your ability to work. They can explain to the judge or jury why injuries prevent you from performing your job and the financial implications, including the need for retraining or education for a new career.
- Highway safety experts: Highway safety experts know a lot about the safe design of roads and highways. Therefore, these professionals can testify about the road conditions near or around your accident. For example, if there were dangerous debris, potholes, or road defects, a highway safety expert can explain how these conditions caused your crash.
- Automotive or mechanical professionals: Automotive or mechanical professionals have a background in fixing and repairing cars. Therefore, if any mechanical defects or malfunctions led to your accident, these professionals can help explain why the manufacturer or an auto mechanic is liable for the crash.
- Roadway design professionals: These experts analyze the design of the roadways involved in your accident. They can highlight how design flaws, such as poor visibility, misplaced traffic signs, or inadequate guardrails, contributed to the crash.
Can someone who saw my accident occur be a witness?
Yes, eye witnesses can be invaluable to your case. Statements provided by eyewitnesses may be able to offer more details and insight into the crash, back up your story, and show that you are telling the truth. Therefore, if you notice anybody near the scene of your car accident, it is recommended that you ask if they would be willing to be an eyewitness, and if they agree, you should exchange contact information. Eyewitnesses can be anyone who witnesses your car accident, such as business owners, bystanders, other drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, construction workers, friends, and family.
What about someone who knows me but did not see the crash?
Yes! These people can often be the best witnesses. These are friends and family who know you well and observe just how the crash impacts you. It’s one thing for you to tell a jury how the crash changed your day to day life. It’s helpful for a doctor to confirm your complaints. But, there is nothing better than having witnesses who are not being paid sit up there and tell the jury all the different ways they’ve seen the crash take a toll on your life.
The Phoenix car accident lawyers at Plattner Verderame, P.C. are educated, skilled, and qualified to help you with any type of car accident case. With our many years of experience, we have gained several different connections to professionals and experts who can increase your chances of winning your case and obtaining the compensation you need and deserve to rebuild your life again. Please call our office or submit our contact form to schedule your free case evaluation in Phoenix or Tempe today.
What, Where, When, Why – Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Nick is a member of the State Bar of Arizona, the Arizona Association for Justice (formerly the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association) and the American Association for Justice (AAJ). He currently serves on the AAJ’s Political Action Task Force and its Oversight Committee, and on the Board of Governors for Revitalization in Arizona.
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