Blog

Working with the right technical expert can help make the evidence in your case really shine.

Technical ExpertDepending on the nature of your accident and your injury, the details of your case have the potential to become quite complicated. While an experienced personal injury attorney will certainly have the capacity to understand many technical aspects of your case, in order to paint the clearest and most convincing picture of your side of the story, the assistance of a technical expert may be needed. This expert can not only assist with the investigative aspect of your case, but also with the presentation of facts and details to the jury in terms that they can understand. Here are some of the most common ways that technical experts are used in personal injury cases.

Establish the Circumstances of a Traffic Accident

Personal injury attorneys often enlist the aid of expert accident reconstructionists to help them establish what went on in the moments leading up to a car accident, bus accident, motorcycle accident, or other type of pedestrian accident. This activity is very important because with the events of an accident occurring so quickly, eyewitness testimony is often less than perfectly reliable. Looking at evidence such as skid marks, points of impact, and final positions of the vehicles, the technical expert can determine vehicle speeds, reaction times, etc. to help show which party caused the accident and whether they were negligent or reckless in their driving.

Analyze Conditions Surrounding a Premises Accident

Some premises injury cases are straightforward in that an obvious, undeniable hazard existed on the property. However, other cases can be more subtle. An expert witness may be called to help show that the property owner failed to comply with reasonable standards in regard to lighting conditions, surface maintenance, traction, and other factors that can contribute to slip and fall or trip and fall risks. This expert typically has in-depth knowledge about best practices for building and construction as well as local ordinances and codes.

Quantify the Cost of an Injury

In some cases, the cost of the injury can be calculated pretty easily based on medical expenses and lost wages. However, in the case of a severe injury with life-long consequences, it will be necessary to have a technical expert project the lifetime cost of the injury. This would include things like future medical bills, physical therapy, nursing care, etc. Without a reputable expert presenting the information, the jury could easily be shocked by the high cost and mistakenly suspect you are inflating your injury.

When choosing your personal injury attorney, do not neglect to ask about their experience in similar cases and the relationships they have forged with relevant technical experts. Expert testimony really can make a difference in your case.