While some personal injury cases are relatively straightforward, others require the specialized knowledge of an expert witness. These witnesses can help prove relevant information about the legal elements of your personal injury claim, such as causation or damages you sustained.
What Is an Expert Witness?
There are generally two types of witnesses in personal injury cases: lay witnesses and expert witnesses.
Lay witnesses are normal people who know something about the case, such as someone witnessing the car accident or the effect it had on the victim.
Expert witnesses have specialized knowledge, experience, or training that gives them a unique understanding of complex concepts in a particular field.
Why Do I Need an Expert Witness?
Some personal injury claims involve complicated technological, scientific, or medical issues. Expert witnesses can sometimes be useful when negotiating with insurance companies if liability is in dispute because they can objectively assess how the accident occurred. They can also help establish the amount of damages that a victim is requesting and why it is reasonable.
Expert witnesses can also help explain complex concepts at trial so that the judge and jury better understand them.
Common Types of Expert Witnesses in Personal Injury Cases and Their Roles
While there are various types of expert witnesses, some of the most common ones who are used in personal injury cases and their roles include the following:
- Engineering experts: Engineering experts can help explain how a particular piece of equipment or technology works or failed to describe how an accident occurred.
- Scientific experts: Biologists, chemists, toxicologists, and other scientists use their knowledge to explain various scientific topics related to the case.
- Accident reconstruction experts: These experts use scientific methods to determine how an accident occurred. For example, they may use the information in event data recorders, skid marks, and accident scene photos to explain how a truck accident occurred
- Medical experts: Medical experts have medical training and knowledge of human anatomy and medicine. They may include doctors, specialists, and others with a medical background. They can explain how certain injuries occur, the necessary treatment for the victim, and costs associated with these treatments.
- Economic experts: Economic expert witnesses explain how an accident affects a person’s finances. They evaluate lost wages, medical bills, future care needs, and other losses to get a better understanding of the economic impact of an accident.
- Vocational experts: Vocational expert witnesses can review your earnings history, occupation, job skills, education, and other factors to determine the extent of the accident and your injuries on your long-term earning capacity.
What Makes an Expert Witness an Expert?
The requirements for an expert witness are described in Colorado’s Rules of Evidence. Under these rules, a person can be qualified as an expert witness by their knowledge, experience, training, education, and skill.
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Contact Our Law Office for Help Retaining Expert Witnesses Who Can Help Support Your Case
The personal injury attorneys at Dulin McQuinn Young have a strong network of expert witnesses that we can leverage to help provide support in your case. Contact us today to learn more about whether an expert witness would help your case and how.