What Role Does Expert Testimony Play in Car Accident Litigation?

Car accidents can get very tricky when the facts are in dispute, and your East Hartford, CT personal injury lawyer may turn to expert testimony to prove what really happened, the extent of the harm that was done to you, and to build a strong case.

What Role Does Expert Testimony Play in Car Accident Litigation?

In car accident lawsuits, a regular witness is usually describing what they saw or experienced. An expert witness, however, is someone who knows how to analyze evidence and draw certain conclusions based on their training and experience. Connecticut law describes experts this way:

“A witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, education or otherwise may testify in the form of an opinion or otherwise concerning scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge, if the testimony will assist the trier of fact in understanding the evidence or in determining a fact in issue.”

Common Types of Experts in Car Accident Cases

Accident Reconstruction Specialists

These specialists use their understanding of science and engineering to recreate the crash. By examining skid marks, vehicle damage, and road conditions, they can calculate the speeds and angles of the vehicles in question and use that to reconstruct the sequences of events. This helps prove who was at fault, and it’s especially valuable in multi-vehicle collisions.

Medical Experts

Medical experts, such as doctors or therapists, testify about injuries. They take a look at your medical records and exams and use this to explain to the court how an accident caused you harm. Medical experts are brought in to support your claims for medical costs and lost wages. They are especially valuable when the other side questions whether an injury was actually caused in the accident or whether you are truly unable to work. Sometimes specific vocational experts will be called in to discuss how your injuries affect your ability to work.

Economic Experts

These experts are called to help calculate your full financial damages into the future, factoring in inflation and life expectancy. These experts are typically needed when you have sustained injuries that will require long-term care.

How Your East Hartford, CT Personal Injury Lawyer Will Use Experts

Your lawyer will begin building your case by doing a thorough investigation, but this investigation may reveal some gaps where an expert’s input is needed to show what happened. If the accident was particularly complex and involved many vehicles, then it’s often wise to get an accident reconstruction expert to look at things right from the beginning.If experts are needed, your lawyer will call on them to prepare a detailed report that outlines their findings and the methods they used to reach those findings. These reports will then be used as evidence for your claim and in court. Sometimes a strong opinion from an expert can prompt the insurance company to make a better settlement offer and allow you to avoid going to court entirely.If you’re dealing with a car accident, reach out to us now at the Adler Law Group, LLC in East Hartford, CT.

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