Types of Expert Witnesses in Personal Injury Trials

An expert in a personal injury lawsuit can help the jury understand complex questions. With expert testimony, the jury can decide who is at fault and how much the injury victim should receive in damages. Experts from various backgrounds can provide insight when a lawsuit involves specialized knowledge. A good expert can explain complex scientific, economic, medical, or mechanical concepts in a way that jury members can understand.

With the benefit of expert witness testimony, the jury can make essential decisions in a personal injury case. There are many different types of expert witnesses in a personal injury claim. For more information about the importance of expert witnesses and how they might help you in your case, talk to a personal injury attorney.

How Can Expert Witnesses Help in a Personal Injury Trial?

Juries are made up of people of all backgrounds. Jurors make crucial decisions about liability, fault, contributory negligence, and damages. However, there are some areas where jurors may not have all the necessary information. This is where Different types of expert witnesses can help.

When legal cases involve specialized knowledge, an expert witness can explain physical evidence to the jury. For example, in a truck accident case, an engineering expert may be able to explain to the jury how defective tires can lead to a rollover accident.

In most personal injury cases with an expert witness, both the defense and plaintiff may have their own experts. In those situations, it is up to the jury to decide which expert opinion they believe.

Experts can also help juries understand future damages. For example, if someone is paralyzed in a motor vehicle accident, an economist can give a projection of their future earning capacity.

Common Types of Expert Witnesses

Anytime a personal injury case involves specialized training and education, an expert witness can help the jury understand the issues in the case. This includes technology, economic predictions, and medical training. Common types of expert witnesses include:

• Accident reconstructionists
• Economic experts
• Life care planners
• Manufacturing experts
• Medical experts
• Mental health experts
• Rehabilitation experts
• Vocational experts

Medical Experts in a Medical Malpractice Trial

Medical malpractice lawsuits generally involve a question of medical negligence. Professional negligence depends on what a reasonable doctor would have done under similar circumstances. Most jurors are not doctors and do not know the medical standards of care.

A medical expert can testify about what medical care a patient should have received. Based on the facts of the case, a medical expert can give an opinion on whether or not the doctor in the lawsuit deviated from the standard of care.

Accident Reconstruction Experts in a Car Accident Case

In a multi-vehicle car accident, an engineer or accident reconstructionist can show how it happened. This includes which party was likely at fault for causing the accident.

Economic Experts in a Birth Injury or Brain Injury Trial

Economists are vital experts when the injury victim suffers permanent injuries. Future damages are unknown, so they have to be estimated. A life-care planner can use actuarial tables to determine how much medical care someone will require for the rest of their lives. The jury can use these estimates to award future medical damages.

Manufacturing Experts in Product Liability Claims

Product liability claims are generally based on design defects or manufacturing defects. A manufacturing expert can give an opinion on the defects of the consumer product. The expert can say whether a design defect or a problem during manufacturing was responsible.

Do I Need an Expert Witness for My Trial?

If your personal injury case involves issues of medical care, future damages, or defective products, you may need a medical expert. If you have questions about the role of expert witnesses in a personal injury claim, talk to a personal injury lawyer for legal advice.