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expert witness

Questions to Ask a Witness to a Car Accident – St. Louis Injury Lawyer

February 16, 2023 by Christopher

Asking St. Louis car accident witnesses the right questions can help build a strong, well-documented case.

If you’ve been in a car accident and are looking to build a strong case, working closely with an experienced car accident lawyer is essential. One of the critical elements in building a solid case is obtaining statements from witnesses who were present at the scene of the accident.

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st. louis car accident witness on the phone

The importance of asking the right questions when questioning a car accident witness cannot be overemphasized. These specific questions can help build a strong case and ensure that all facts are well-documented and won’t be affected by any inaccuracies or omissions due to memory loss or bias.

Can You Go Into Detail About How the Crash Occurred?

One of the key questions to ask a witness is to go into detail about how the crash occurred. While your account of the accident may not be enough to determine who was at fault, asking a witness for their version of events can be extremely helpful. It’s important to keep the dialogue open and inviting, focusing on finding answers rather than making accusations. Follow-up questions such as whether either vehicle tried to swerve or slam on its brakes, or what the speed of each car was, can provide more detail into what happened leading up to and during the crash.

Do You Know Anyone Involved in the Accident?

It’s also important to ask whether the witness knows anyone involved in the accident. This question can help avoid biased testimonies from people who have personal connections to the parties involved. Doing so will help you build a stronger case with more reliable evidence.

Did You See Any Bystanders Who Might Be Witnesses Like You?

Expanding your list of witnesses by asking whether any bystanders might have witnessed the accident can also be helpful. Follow up this question by asking who was with the witness when the accident happened. The person they were with may have a better perspective of what occurred or noticed details that otherwise may have been missed.

Did You Hear Anything That the Other Driver Said?

After a car accident, parties involved can start arguing and making accusations against each other. Therefore, it’s crucial that you follow up with any witnesses at the accident scene and ask them if they heard the other driver say something important. Knowing the exact dialogue spoken can help build a more accurate overall picture of what happened in the crash and highlight any emotions or psychological states of those involved in the incident.

What Is Your Contact Information?

Finally, it’s easy to forget to ask for contact details and other relevant identifying information from witnesses at the scene of an accident, especially when emotions are running high and there’s a lot of confusion. Don’t make this mistake. Ensure you collect your witnesses’ names and contact information so you can contact them if needed.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s crucial to work closely with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer who can help you build a strong case. An experienced attorney can ensure the right questions are asked when questioning a car accident witness. They can also ensure that all facts are well-documented and won’t be affected by inaccuracies or omissions due to memory loss or bias. Don’t leave your case to chance; work with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney to get the compensation you deserve.


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Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Car Accident Claims, expert witness

4 Types of Expert Witnesses in St. Louis Auto Accident Claims

February 6, 2023 by Christopher

Expert witnesses can be a valuable resource if you have been injured in a St. Louis car accident and are pursuing compensation.

Evidence such as photos, surveillance footage, and witness accounts can often be sufficient when making an accident claim. However, it may be necessary to provide additional, more convincing proof in more complex cases. In these situations, expert witnesses can be a valuable resource for in-depth explanations of the accident in court. 

This article will explore the various types of experts commonly enlisted as witnesses in vehicle accident claims.

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an expert witnesses testifying after a car accident

Accident Reconstructionist

In the wake of a vehicle accident, determining who was at fault can be far from black and white. And even if there’s clear evidence pointing to one party as the cause of the accident, the defendant may be able to sway the judge or insurance company with their claims of innocence. That’s where an accident reconstructionist comes into play. 

An accident reconstructionist will investigate and analyze witness statements, physical evidence at the scene, and technical data such as skid marks, impact points, and other variables to determine how the crash occurred and who was at fault.

Medical Experts

To save money or protect their bottom line, the insurance company may try to claim your injuries were not caused by the accident – particularly if you had a pre-existing condition or injury.

In situations like this, having a medical expert witness can make all the difference in helping you secure the compensation you deserve. Not only will a medical expert help make the connection between your injuries and the accident, but they can also provide evidence showing how the car accident made your pre-existing condition or injury worse.

Highway Safety Experts

Highway safety experts can also be critical when evaluating the details of a vehicle accident. These experts can be particularly helpful in cases where the accident was caused by a poorly designed or maintained roadway or where the driver’s actions contributed.

Engineering Experts

Car accidents can sometimes be caused by technical issues such as faulty brakes, steering, or other vehicle components. If you believe that the other car involved in the accident had some technical issues that contributed to the accident, an engineering expert may be able to help you prove it.

An engineering expert is a professional engineer with specialized knowledge and experience in the design, construction, and operation of vehicles and their components. And can help you prove beyond reasonable doubt that the technical issues of the other car were a contributing factor to the accident.

St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

These are just a few experts that can be enlisted to provide evidence in a vehicle accident claim. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it is strongly recommended that you speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer. Give us a call 24/7 for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal rights and options after a car accident.

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Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: expert witness

3 Common Questions About Car Accident Witness Statements

November 4, 2022 by Christopher

Witness statements can be essential to building your case, as they can provide crucial info about how the accident occurred and what factors may have played a role in causing it.

When you’re involved in a car accident, it’s important to gather as much information as possible about the incident. This includes information about the at-fault party, such as their name, contact details, and insurance info. It also includes information about your injuries and other losses sustained in the crash. Perhaps most importantly, however, it includes witness statements.

Witness statements can be essential to building your case, as they can provide crucial info about how the accident occurred and what factors may have played a role in causing it. They can also corroborate key details of your account, such as how fast each driver was going or where you were positioned on the road when the crash occurred. Overall, securing viable witness testimony is one of the most crucial steps in building a successful car accident claim. 

gavel with scales of justice in front of a accident witness

FAQs About Witness Statements

How Many Types of Witness Statements Are There?

In the context of a car injury claim, there are generally two types of witness statements: Eyewitness statements and Expert Witness Statements. 

  • An eyewitness statement comes from someone who directly observed the accident, such as another driver, a pedestrian, or a bystander. These statements typically consist of first-hand observations about what occurred during the accident, including factors like road conditions, weather conditions, and traffic patterns. These witness statements can be particularly useful if there are no other sources of information available about what happened during an incident. 
  • An expert witness statement comes from someone with expertise on the topic at hand, such as an accident reconstruction specialist or a medical professional. These statements typically provide more technical details about things like vehicle behavior in high-impact collisions or injuries sustained by crash victims based on their diagnosed medical conditions. These details can help clarify questions about how an incident occurred and who may have been responsible for any resulting damage or injuries.

Do I Have to Provide a Witness Statement? 

It’s generally not required by law to provide a witness statement, but it may help support your car injury claim. If you choose not to provide one, the insurer may investigate your claims less thoroughly, which could result in a lower settlement offer or denial of your claim altogether. 

What Should Be Included in a Witness Statement? 

Some things that you may want to include in a witness statement are: 

  • The full name, address, and contact details of the witness
  • The witness’s recollection of events leading up to the accident
  • The details of the accident itself 
  • The witness’s current physical and emotional state

These are just some examples—your attorney will generally include whatever details are important and relevant to your case. The most important thing is ensuring the testimony is honest and accurate.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a car accident and need help pursuing your claim, a St. Louis car accident lawyer at The Hoffman Law Firm can help. We have over 20 years of experience protecting the rights of injured car accident victims and can do the same for you. Give us a call 24/7 for a free case evaluation.

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Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Car Accident Claims, expert witness

The Role of Expert Witnesses in St. Louis Car Accident Claims

August 18, 2020 by Christopher

Expert witnesses are individuals that were not present at the scene of the accident but can provide accurate information about the accident, based on their expertise.

Car accident claims are rarely easy to solve. A car accident has so many influencing factors, that the discovery period of a case can be complicated and long-lasting. 

When gathering evidence and testimonies, lawyers often find that some aspects of the accident circumstances are left unknown. Witnesses might not remember every detail of the incident, the drivers and passengers involved are also biased and might provide contradictory statements. Sometimes, even police reports or medical records may contain an error or simply lack certain details. 

In these cases, lawyers and insurance companies have to dig deeper for hard evidence to support their side. 

expert witness in car accident

What Are Expert Witnesses?

Expert witnesses are individuals that were not present at the scene of the accident but can provide accurate information about the accident, based on their expertise. 

Examples of expert witnesses include:

  • Medical specialists – they can evaluate your injuries and predict how long your recovery period will take and what treatment you will need.
  • Mental health experts – they are crucial in determining the pain and suffering the accident has caused you, and their testimonies will serve as evidence when you claim compensation for your depression, anxiety, stress, etc.
  • Financial experts -if you have to evaluate the property damage you have suffered or the lost income and secondary expenses that your accident has caused, then an economist can help calculate your losses.
  • Highway safety experts – an engineer who can evaluate the road and traffic conditions at the time of your accident. Sometimes, an accident is not caused by the negligence of a driver, but by the negligence of the municipality in charge of road maintenance.
  • Accident reconstruction experts – some of the most valued expert testimonies are those from accident reconstruction experts, who can provide evidence of causality between the accident and your injuries. 

Another important thing expert witnesses bring to the table is their unbiased opinion. The statement of an expert witness, besides being supported by experience and expertise, will not be tainted by a certain sympathy with one of the sides. 

Hiring an expert witness can be expensive and should only be reserved for cases that are stuck with incomplete or biased evidence. The court may request an expert witness account, or your St. Louis car accident lawyer might recommend it. 

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help You?

It’s a good idea to get in touch with a St. Louis injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. An experienced car accident or personal injury lawyer can help you find the right expert witnesses that can shed some light on your case. They will also negotiate their fee and assist them in providing crucial information for your case. These are important steps that can help maximize your settlement and get you fair compensation. 

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Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: expert witness

The Importance of Expert Witnesses in Your Car Accident Claim

March 14, 2019 by Christopher

A car accident attorney can help find expert witnesses to testify on your behalf.

Unfortunately, not all car accidents end with a resolution and settlement. Sometimes, you have to take the other driver to court to get fair compensation for your injuries. The problem with that is that the victim holds the burden of demonstrating that the other driver was responsible for the accident. A St. Louis car accident lawyer can help you gather all the documentation required to build a solid case. They can also help find expert witnesses to testify on your behalf.

Here’s what you need to know about this practice.

expert testimony car accident

The Role of Expert Witnesses

An expert witness is a professional who has knowledge and experience in a particular field and can provide unbiased information that would help the jury reach a verdict. Their role is to help the jury understand better the circumstances or consequences of the accident. They are not there to offer their opinion on the case but provide solid facts and data-driven information.

Two types of professionals are usually required to testify in car accidents personal injury cases:

  • Expert witnesses: Whether we are talking about doctors, psychologists or economists, they are usually required to provide their unbiased opinion about the case. The information they present is thoroughly analyzed by the court for validity.
  • Fact witnesses: This type of witnesses also present the things that they have seen or experienced by themselves.

Here are some of the responsibilities expert witnesses hold:

  1. Offer data-driven information about the case;
  2. Provide an unbiased, independent opinion about the case. Personal opinions have no place in a court of law;
  3. Comply with the rules of the procedure;
  4. Guarantee that the information presented is truthful and essential in helping the jury reach a verdict.

Types of Expert Witnesses in Car Accident Personal Injury Cases

When it comes to auto accident personal injury cases, an expert witness will analyze any complex detail of the incident and try to provide a professional conclusion that would help the jury understand what happened.

Their expertise can cover anything from how the collision inflicted the injuries to the financial toll the accident may have on the victim.

Here are some of the types of witnesses that your St. Louis auto accident attorney may call to testify.

  • Medical Experts: A medical expert will present the pathology and anatomy of the victim’s injuries. They will also explain how severe the damages are and the course of treatment the victim needs to get healthy.
  • Rehabilitation Specialists: Whether we are talking about social workers or therapists, these expert witnesses will explain how the accident affected the victim’s quality of life and what they need to do to recover from the physical and emotional trauma.
  • Auto Accident Reconstructionist: This expert can help the jury understand how the accident happen. They will analyze everything from the speed of the vehicles to the environment.

Speak With an Attorney 24/7


If you’ve been injured in a car accident a reliable St. Louis car accident lawyer can help you build a strong case and increase your chances of recovering compensation. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE Case Evaluation.

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Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: expert witness

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    The images included on this site are not actual attorneys, events, or clients. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Attorney Chris Hoffmann handles car and truck accident claims throughout Eastern Missouri and Western Illinois. He represents injured clients in St. Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters, Clayton, East St. Louis, Alton, Hillsboro and Belleville, and other cities in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson Country, MO, and St. Clair County and Madison County, IL.