Reaching a favorable settlement in a personal injury case is often linked to how well the facts and issues can be understood. An experienced lawyer will understand the potential value that an expert witness can offer before and during a case and can provide legal advice on when you should use one.
The Green Bay personal injury lawyers from our firm are ready to discuss your particular circumstances and answer any legal questions you have during a complimentary initial consultation.
How is an Expert Witness Defined?
An expert witness is a professional with specialized experience in a certain field. Expert witnesses can be called to a case to present their knowledge to support a claim. They can determine how an accident happened and how it resulted in injuries. This could be beneficial when attempting to calculate an accurate value for your damages.
Testimony from an expert witness may also sway the judge and jury in your favor during litigation. An expert witness could be the deciding factor in you recovering the compensation you need.
Difference Between an Expert Witness and a Lay Witness
Witnesses involved in personal injury cases are generally broken down into two categories: lay and expert. A lay witness is anyone who is not an expert but can offer testimony about things that he or she observed. Any opinions offered are limited based on their own perceptions.
On the other hand, an expert witness is anyone who has specific knowledge, skills, training or experience that makes him or her qualified to discuss specific issues. Expert witnesses do not discuss what they observed. They provide an opinion based on facts and evidence of the case.
Different Types of Expert Witnesses
There are many different types of expert witnesses who can be used in a personal injury case. Some of these include the following:
- Accident reconstructionist – These experts can help to analyze information related to the accident in an effort to explain how the accident happened and who was at fault.
- Economic expert – These experts can help explain the economic impact of an injury based on the victim’s loss of wages and future earning capacity from being unable to work.
- Manufacturing expert – These experts can help explain how a product was defectively manufactured, designed or marketed.
- Medical expert – These experts can help explain the extent and type of injury suffered and how it is linked to the accident.
- Mental health expert – These experts can help explain the mental impact that an accident and resulting injuries have had on a victim.
- Rehabilitation specialist – These experts can help explain the future medical needs of a victim.
When Should an Expert Witness Be Used?
Having an expert witness can be important to the potential outcome of a personal injury case. During settlement negotiations, the opinion of an expert witness can persuade the other party involved and their insurance company to come to a favorable agreement. During a trial, he or she can provide valuable insight, facts and opinions to help educate any judge and jury about the issues in a case.
Consulting experts help explain certain issues involved in a case but do not necessarily testify in a courtroom while testifying experts can be used to openly testify in a court room to help a judge and jury understand complex information.
Reach Out to Schedule a Free Consultation
When you suffer an injury in an accident due to negligence, an expert witness may be valuable to your potential case. Our legal team at Sigman Janssen is here to help. Learn more in a free, no-obligation consultation. We charge no upfront fees to retain our services and only receive payment if you recover compensation.
Dial (877) 888-5201 to schedule a free case review.