SPONSORED CONTENT

The Importance of Expert Witnesses in Connecticut Personal Injury Claims

The quality of the evidence you use in your case is a critical aspect of a case’s strength, so you want to make sure you document and preserve all pieces of evidence from the get-go.

The different types of evidence that could be helpful in a personal injury case include pictures and video footage of the scene, medical records, pictures of the injuries, medical bills, receipts, witness accounts, etc.

However, it is also important to note that evidence in and of itself may not be sufficient to build a compelling case, and that is where an expert witness comes into play. This guide looks into the role of expert witnesses in a personal injury claim, so keep reading for insight.

Who Is an Expert Witness

An expert witness is an individual with extensive and specialized knowledge of a subject matter, which gives them the authority to offer opinions on the subject in a court of law.

The court’s expectation of expert witnesses is that they will offer unbiased opinions on a matter, thereby helping it understand the facts of a case, which ultimately guides its decision-making.

In a personal injury setting, you are most likely to have medical experts, mental health experts, and accident reconstructionists called to prove a matter, but you may also have specialists in other fields, such as quality assurance, experts in safety standards in workplaces, etc.

The Importance of an  Expert Witness

Providing Clarity

Clarity or the lack thereof in a case has a significant influence on how the court decides the matter. Expert witnesses play the critical role of providing clarity in court for matters that would otherwise be too complex for the court to understand.

For example, an accident reconstructionist can use photographic evidence, witness accounts, skid marks, and car damage to recreate an accident in a way that the jury understands, helping in establishing liability.

Credibility

Expert witnesses are experts in a particular field. As such, most parties in a personal injury case view what they say as credible, something you may not get with any other witness.

“What an expert witness says is important, and it has to be factual. In addition, their presence itself helps create a positive impression in the jury and the courts and can subconsciously influence decision-making,” says attorney Mike A. D’Amico of D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC.

Quantifying Damages

One of the main roles of a lawyer is damage valuation, as it helps them know what to demand as compensation from the at-fault party. Even with the damage valuation skills a lawyer has, there are times when they may need the help of an expert witness in damage valuation.

For example, consider a case where future medical expenses are a factor in a case. In such situations, an expert witness can help provide the court with a clear outline of projected future medical interventions and why they are necessary, which can help guide damage valuation.

How a Lawyer Helps

A lawyer and an expert witness play different roles, so you will need to have both in your case. The expert witness only helps shed light on a matter, but it is the lawyer who does the legal work, so there is no way an expert witness can replace your need for a personal injury lawyer.

Also, it is the lawyer who helps connect you with the expert witnesses from the connections they create in their years of practice. Without a lawyer’s connection, it’s almost impossible to get one, so the starting place is hiring a lawyer.