Expert witnesses can be a valuable asset in an Oklahoma City car accident case. If your case goes to trial, they can help you prove causation, liability, and damages by explaining complex evidence to the judge and jury.
Even if your injury case does not go to trial, expert witnesses can assist in building your strongest case for settlement purposes, helping establish liability and proving the accurate value of your current and future damages.
At Warhawk Legal, our Oklahoma car accident lawyers have a vast network of experts to consult and collaborate with when necessary to help you recover maximum compensation. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another party’s negligence, we want to help you.
Call (405) 397-1717 or complete the short form on our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.
What Is An Expert Witness?
There are generally two types of witnesses in a car accident case – lay witnesses and expert witnesses.
A lay witness provides information and testimony about what they saw or heard, including at the accident scene or afterward. Examples of lay witnesses could be a stranger who witnessed your accident or a friend who testifies about the pain and suffering you have experienced due to the accident.
Expert witnesses are qualified as experts in their fields. They provide testimony based on their specialized training, experience, or knowledge that can help a jury understand facts about your case and help them reach an appropriate conclusion about the cause of an accident, who is liable, and the damages a victim has sustained.
Expert witnesses can help explain complicated issues that most people would not understand in a way that makes sense. Unlike lay witnesses, experts are also permitted to express an opinion about the evidence in a case.
How Expert Witnesses Are Used in Car Accident Cases
The types of experts used in a car accident case depends on the specific facts surrounding the accident. Some types of expert witnesses that may be consulted include:
Medical Experts
Medical experts are usually doctors, surgeons, and specialists who can testify about a victim’s injuries, prognosis, and the likely long-term impacts of their injuries. The medical expert or experts used are determined by the type of injuries suffered. If a victim suffers a brain injury, a neurosurgeon may be necessary, and if the injuries include crushed bones, an orthopedic surgeon may be required.
Mental Health Experts
A psychological expert may be needed to provide expert testimony about a victim’s mental and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and other intangible losses.
Economic Experts
These experts help quantify the financial damages incurred by a car accident victim by determining the total current and future calculation of damages. Economic experts look at a victim’s salary records, industry standards, inflation, interest rates, and life expectancy to get an accurate picture of the financial damages suffered and likely to be suffered in the future due to their injuries.
Engineering Experts
An engineering expert may be needed when a car accident claim involves defective vehicles or equipment, road designs, or manufacturing issues. Their knowledge of engineering principles can help them determine the factors that contributed to the accident and help them explain those factors to a jury.
Accident Reconstructionists
Accident reconstructionists can be essential in some car accident cases. They use their specialized knowledge of physics, engineering, and forensics to help recreate the circumstances of an accident. They may use computer simulations, diagrams, or models to help a jury understand the factors contributing to an accident and the victim’s damages. Their testimony can help explain how an accident happened, including the contributing factors and liable parties.
Consult Warhawk Legal Today
If you have been injured in a car accident in Oklahoma, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages. You need an experienced attorney to help you establish causation, liability, and damages so you can recover maximum compensation.
At Warhawk Legal, we collaborate with top expert witnesses when necessary to build your strongest case. Our car accident attorneys have the experience, skills, and resources to protect your rights and help you obtain the best possible outcome.
Call us today at (405) 397-1717 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.