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Who Covers the Cost of an Expert Witness in a Car Crash Case?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
legal documents and ipad at courthouseExpert witness testimony can make a significant difference in the outcome of your car crash claim. Some complex collisions may even require multiple experts to prove a claim effectively. An expert witness is a highly trained professional with the skill and expertise to further investigate the accident and provide a testimony in a personal injury claim. These witnesses help explain certain aspects of a case that may be in question, particularly things that require technical knowledge and prior experience. California law states that an individual can testify if he or she has the knowledge, skill and experience on the subject at hand. For example, a medical expert could be used to determine the severity of your injuries or an accident reconstruction specialist could help determine fault for the accident. Lawyers from both sides can use expert witnesses to help explain difficult topics. The expert witness should be neutral with no allegiance to either party as he or she is expected to provide an honest and objective testimony to help all parties better understand the situation.

Covering the Cost for an Expert Witness

Most personal injury attorneys offer a contingency fee contract. This means that the law firm will be compensated for legal services if recovery is obtained for your claim. This also usually means that you will not pay costs upfront, because the law firm will incur any costs related to your case, to be deducted later from your recovery amount. We cover all the legal costs for our clients upfront, which includes paying for any expert witnesses. The attorney fees and other costs associated with your case are reimbursed after we win compensation on your behalf. If we do not obtain compensation for your claim, you owe us nothing.

What Types of Expert Witnesses Are Available?

The details of your situation and the complexities of your case will determine whether you need to hire an expert witness and which professional specialty is needed. Types of expert witness include:
  • Medical professionals
  • Mental health experts
  • Accident reconstructionists
  • Scientists
  • Engineers
  • Financial/economic experts
The Arnold Law Firm has an established network of expert witnesses to help validate your claim. For our clients, we recommend whether an expert witness is necessary and hire credible, qualified expert witnesses after reviewing their reputation, experience testifying, and published work, if available.

Contact a Lawyer You Can Trust

When fault for an accident or the severity of your injuries are difficult to prove, an expert witness may be necessary. A licensed lawyer from the Arnold Law firm may be able to help with your claim, including bringing in an expert witness if necessary. If you have been injured in an accident, schedule a no-cost consultation with a Sacramento car accident lawyer today by giving us a call at (916) 777-7777. There are no upfront fees to pay, and we can cover any other legal costs until we win compensation for you. The Arnold Law Firm has been protecting the rights of the injured in California for more than four decades. Watch some of our video testimonials to hear from some of our satisfied clients.

Call today to schedule a free consultation. (916) 777-7777

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.