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Why Should an Expert Witness Testify in My Personal Injury Case?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
man in blue shirtWhen you decide to file a personal injury claim because of injuries you suffered in an accident, you may have the option of including expert witness testimony to help win the case. An expert witness can use his or her professional training and experience to support a strong argument for various aspects of your case, including how your injury resulted from negligence or the value of the damages you have suffered. If you have a legitimate claim, the dedicated Sacramento personal injury attorneys at the Arnold Law Firm can explain how an expert witness may help your claim.

What is an Expert Witness?

An expert witness is a trained, highly educated professional who can provide testimony based on knowledge, skill and experience related to the circumstances of the accident. Different types of medical and technical professionals are commonly called into the courtroom to testify on behalf of a plaintiff or the defendant. Attorneys for both sides use expert witnesses to help explain complex topics to judges and juries. Their testimony can help give the jury a better understanding of the evidence and the facts at issue in the case, including what the evidence may imply and how to interpret it. Many qualifications determine the credibility of an expert witness, including:
  • Credentials
  • Previous experience testifying
  • Reputation
  • Being published in peer-reviewed journals
Expert witnesses can testify about a much wider range of issues than a lay witness, who can only offer opinions based on what they saw and their perceptions of the situation. Expert witnesses provide unbiased testimony, as opposed to family and friends of the victim. Juries may have doubts about testimony from family members and friends because they have an inherent bias. Juries may view expert testimony as more objective. Expert witnesses are also allowed to make inferences from the facts and evidence presented in a case. This can help clarify things the jury may be unclear about, particularly when it comes to complex evidence.

Different Kinds of Expert Witnesses

Many professionals from different fields and industries may qualify as expert witnesses, including:
      • Medical professionals – This could include surgeons, doctors, medical technicians, physician assistants and other professionals. They may give their opinions about a victim’s injuries, treatment and how those injuries and treatments affect victims on a daily basis. For instance, if you were injured during a surgical procedure, someone else with similar education or experience in the same field as the medical provider may be brought in to testify.
      • Financial/economic professionals – They may be called to testify about the cost of a victim’s damages or future lost income.
      • Mental health professionals – This could include psychologists, psychiatrists and others who are brought in to explain the mental effects of an injury.

Get the Legal Help You Need

At the Arnold Law Firm, we want to make sure justice is served and help our clients receive the compensation they need to recover from their injuries.

We are ready to take your call at (916) 777-7777. The consultation is entirely free of charge.

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.