Expert Witnesses in Personal Injury Cases
July 28, 2016 | By Colombo Law
After an accident or incident, family members of the victim experience many of the consequences of injuries, regardless of whether they experienced the accident. These consequences include extreme pain as a result of your injuries, added stress due to increased obligation in addition to day-to-day responsibilities, and the loss of employment. The financial impact of an injury alone is enough to cripple a family. When you are injured in a negligence action, you deserve compensation to provided needed stability to you and your loved ones. The attorneys at Colombo Law strive to ensure that your case is presented in ways that will maximize your recovery. One of those strategies include introducing testimony from expert witnesses. If you are looking for an experienced personal injury attorney, contact Colombo Law today for a no-risk consultation.
What is an Expert Witness?
An expert witness is an individual who possesses specialized knowledge or experience in a particular field. The knowledge or experience of an expert witness can be acquired through different many different forms, including:
- Education;
- Training;
- Certification;
- Skills; or
- Experience
Expert witnesses are not limited to one specific type of occupation. They may include retired law enforcement officers, medical doctors, physical therapists, and psychologists.
Expert witnesses must be accepted by a judge before the client may realize some of the benefits experts can provide. Once accepted as an expert, they are able to provide testimony that may serve as corroborating evidence or evidence that disproves an argument or theory provided by the opposing parties. Expert witnesses have the ability to make or break a case. That is why our attorneys ensure that our experts have a thorough understanding of the issues, experience in personal injury cases, and the ability to persuasively articulate a position regarding your claim.
Types of Testimony Experts may Offer
Experts have the ability to provide several different forms of testimony:
- Opinion Testimony: An expert has the ability to offer testimony regarding his opinion on relevant issues in a case. The opinion can be based on facts or data in the case that the expert has become aware of or personally observed. Experts may also offer an opinion regarding a particular set of facts presented to discuss how the facts as presented may change a particular outcome.
- Scientific: Experts also provide the necessary task of educating a jury. This education may also come in many forms. Regardless of the form, experts are hired to educate witnesses on scientific theories or explanations. They seek to explain and clarify the complexities involved in the case. Without an explanation of the scientific or technical matters, jurors may be confused about injuries or disbelief of the victim’s account of what occurred that caused the injury.
While expert witnesses provide a major benefit in personal injury cases, they should only be used in cases after the injured party carefully weighs the benefits as expert witnesses are costly. If you or your loved one has been involved in an accident and you are unsure how to proceed, contact Colombo Law to obtain the guidance you need. Colombo Law is a full service personal injury law firm located in Morgantown, West Virginia. To schedule your initial consultation, contact Colombo Law today
