An expert witness is someone with specialized knowledge on a specific subject. Attorneys consult with and hire expert witnesses in personal injury cases for many reasons. In some cases, expert witnesses are required to establish the required elements to prove the claim, as in medical malpractice claims. This article explains why you may need an expert witness for your personal injury case and how they can help you prove the party who caused your injuries is liable for your damages.
What Are the Qualifications for Expert Witnesses in a Georgia Personal Injury Case?
Georgia Code §24-7-702 provides the qualifications for expert witness testimony. A person may be qualified as an expert witness based on their skills, training, knowledge, experience, or education. They may testify and give their opinion if:
- The expert witness has specialized, technical, or scientific knowledge that can help the trier of fact understand the evidence presented in court to determine a fact in dispute. The triers of fact in a personal injury case are usually the jury members.
- The testimony offered by an expert witness must be based on sufficient data or facts.
- The expert witness must have used reliable methods and principles to formulate their opinion.
- The expert witness applied the methods and principles to the facts of the case.
There are many types of expert witnesses. The type of expert you need for your case depends on the basis of your personal injury claim.
Types of Expert Witnesses in Columbus Personal Injury Cases
Expert witnesses are often used in cases involving complex areas of personal injury law, such as medical malpractice, premises liability, product liability, catastrophic injuries, and mass torts. However, your attorney may consult an expert witness in any type of personal injury case, including car accident claims.
An expert witness explains issues or matters that might be difficult for a judge or jury to understand. Experts also give opinions that help link the at-fault party’s actions to the cause of your injuries.
Ways that expert witnesses help with personal injury claims in Georgia include:
- Determine the acceptable medical standard of care a medical practitioner should have used in a medical malpractice lawsuit
- Assist in calculating your economic and non-economic damages
- Explain how an accident happened and identify the party or parties who contributed to the cause of the accident
- Establish the standard of care a party owed to you and explain how the party breached the standard of care
- Explain why a product is defective and how that defect led to the injuries you sustained
- Refute evidence presented by the defense
- Help the jury understand your injuries and the severity of impairments and disabilities caused by those injuries
- Explain how a medication is dangerous and could result in the types of injuries you sustained
An expert witness can significantly affect the outcome of a personal injury in Columbus, GA. Jurors may give more weight to the testimony and opinions of experts because of their degree of experience and knowledge of a subject. Also, some jurors may view an expert witness as an impartial party.
What Types of Expert Witnesses Are Used in Personal Injury Cases in Columbus, GA?
Depending on the circumstances, your attorney may hire one or more expert witnesses for your case. The types of expert witnesses that assist in personal injury cases include, but are not limited to:
- Medical specialists testify in all types of personal injury cases but are required for medical malpractice cases. A medical expert can explain the medical standard of care. They can also explain the extent of your injuries and how impairments could impact your daily life.
- Accident reconstructionists use evidence and scientific principles to reconstruct how an accident occurred. By doing so, they can identify the factors that caused the accident so the attorney can establish fault for one or more parties.
- Vocational rehabilitation experts testify about how your injuries prevent you from working or caring for your daily needs. They also explain the extent of rehabilitation therapies needed to help you regain certain abilities and functions.
- Financial experts assist with valuing damages in a personal injury case, especially future lost wages and other expenses. They explain how your injuries may reduce your earning capacity and the cost of ongoing medical treatment.
- Trucking industry experts assist in truck accident cases. They understand how commercial trucks operate and the trucking regulations that govern the industry.
- Lifecare experts explain how your injuries may diminish your quality of life and the extent of personal care you may require.
- Engineering experts may be used in various personal injury cases, including defective product cases.
Your attorney will discuss expert witness testimony with you, including the types of experts you need and how their testimony could impact the outcome of the case. When you hire a personal injury lawyer on a contingency fee, the attorney pays the expert witness fee and deducts the fee from the settlement or verdict the attorney wins in your case.
Do I Need an Expert Witness for My Georgia Personal Injury Case?
If you have questions about expert witnesses or personal injury claims, contact our office by calling (706) 940-4030 for a free consultation. A Columbus personal injury attorney of Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm will meet with you to discuss your legal options and explain whether you might need an expert witness to prove your case.
