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.
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.