Using Expert Testimony in Personal Injury
A personal injury lawsuit will require the attorney to establish various facts of the case such as how the injury occurred, who is responsible for the accident, extent of damage to the plaintiff, how the injury affects his work and life, level of compensation required, and so on.
Now a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles, California will do his best to prove the injury and damages. He may even conduct significant research and assemble compelling facts to support the case. But despite the best efforts, the lawsuit will not hold water until and unless it is reinforced by an expert witness.
Indeed, expert testimony carries significant weightage in a personal injury lawsuit. This involves calling in a suitable expert to corroborate the facts of the case and this testimony is what serves to validate the arguments in the eyes of the judge and jury.
This is primarily because the expert witnesses who testify in a case possess specialized knowledge, skill, or experience in a particular field that is relevant to the case. This proficiency is beyond the attorney, the plaintiff, the jury, or the general public and therefore, the expert’s words carry much more credibility and can strengthen the personal injury lawsuit manifold.
Apart from providing an intelligent evaluation of certain aspects of the case, an expert witness can also explain complicated issues in a simpler manner that the jury can understand easily.
As personal injury law relies on the information provided by experts, an experienced car accident lawyer in Los Angeles, California will know how to use expert testimony to influence the jury and sway the court in favor of the plaintiff.
The attorney will hire the right expert witness that is relevant to the case and also certify that the person is indeed qualified to provide specialized testimony in court. For instance, the attorney may use a car accident reconstructionist to analyze a collision, injury, and reconstruct the accident. He may call in a neurologist to review the resultant spinal injury and provide a professional assessment of the condition of the plaintiff. There may be another expert to testify about the changes in the plaintiff’s job prospects post the accident or a life care planner to evaluate the future care expenses, disability management, life expectancy, and other related issues.
Apart from medical, health, and related fields, the expert witnesses can also possess specific technical or scientific knowledge related to manufacturing, engineering, automobiles, testing, and so on. Their knowledge and proficiency plays a key role as it helps clarify the case in court and therefore, will have a significant influence on the final outcome of the case. In fact, such is the power of expert testimony, that it not only leads to winning the lawsuit, but can also secure a huge settlement for the damages.