If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you are entitled to seek compensation for your damages. Generally, personal injury cases involve complex medical, scientific, and technological issues. Expert witnesses can provide testimony when these issues arise to support a plaintiff’s claim. Please continue reading to learn how you can benefit from using an expert witness and why connecting with a seasoned New York City Injury Lawyer is in your best interest when pursuing a personal injury claim.
What is an Expert Witness?
An expert witness is an individual who possesses specialized knowledge or experience in a particular field. Unlike lay witnesses, who can only recount facts, expert witnesses can provide their professional opinions based on their expertise to help the court understand complex aspects of a case, such as the nature of injuries, potential damages, or how an accident transpired. In other words, they can explain intricate details that may not be readily apparent to a layperson. This can aid the jury in decision-making.
There are expert witnesses in various fields, from engineering and chemistry to medicine and economics. The type of expert you need will depend on the kind of accident, the evidence you need to support your claim, and other factors. Some of the most common types of expert witnesses in New York personal injury cases include:
- Medical experts: Doctors, surgeons, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals can explain the extent of injuries and their impact on the victim’s life. For instance, a plaintiff who suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may call a neurologist as an expert witness. In contrast, an individual who broke multiple bones in a crash may call an orthopedic surgeon.
- Accident reconstruction experts: They will use the scientific method to analyze how an accident occurred and who caused it. They may use their training to recreate an accident to better explain how a plaintiff sustained their damages.
- Economic experts: These professionals can help calculate the financial losses incurred, including medical costs, lost wages, and future earning capacity.
- Vocational experts: A signficant factor in many personal injury cases is where a plaintiff will be able to return to work after an accident. This type of expert can examine a person’s medical records and other evidence to determine if their injuries will prevent them from working or finding other employment.
- Life care planner: These experts create a detailed plan outlining future medical needs for severely injured parties.
What Are the Advantages of Using Expert Witnesses in a Personal Injury Case?
When it comes to personal injury cases, expert witnesses can provide two critical advantages. First, they can break down technical details to insurance companies, the jury, and a judge. By explaining scientific topics and showing their relevance to the case, they can help the plaintiff build a robust argument for compensation.
The second advantage of using an expert witness is to describe what happened when there is minimal evidence. A plaintiff might not have been physically capable of taking photos or videos of the accident, but expert witnesses can assess the available evidence and provide their opinion on how the accident happened.
At The Bàez Legal Group, we are prepared to aggressively pursue all available damages on behalf of our clients so that their current and future needs are taken care of. Connect with our firm today to schedule a consultation.
