An Expert Witness Can Make or Break Your Case
When a person files a personal injury lawsuit, there are times that the testimony of an expert witness may be needed. However, Maryland laws state that these special witnesses may only be used in certain circumstances. An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine if an expert witness is needed for your claim. Typically, an expert witness will be called when there are scientific or medical issues that need to be addressed that are beyond the typical understanding of an average juror.
What is an Expert Witness?
An expert witness is typically an educated person that is considered an expert in the field in which they work. What makes their testimony special is that once they have been qualified as an expert, they are allowed to offer their opinion during their testimony. Other witnesses are only allowed to offer their knowledge of what they saw or heard and not their opinion.
Because an expert witnesses can be an expert in a variety of areas, there are certain types of witnesses that are most commonly asked for testimony during personal injury lawsuits. These types of expert witnesses include the following:
- Medical Experts – A physician may be allowed to testify in your lawsuit to discuss your treatment and injuries. They can also give their opinions on their findings. This type of expert witness may be involved in helping your attorney prepare for trial. Their testimony is often used to help prove non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
- Mental Health Experts – Your injuries can sometimes have a huge impact on your emotional well-being. That’s where a mental health expert can help. They will provide their expert opinion and testify just like a medical expert would, however, they will focus on your mental and emotional health rather than your physical health.
- Highway Safety Experts – Individuals that specialize in highway safety and engineering may be called to testify how the traffic and roadway conditions may have impacted your accident.
- Accident Reconstruction Experts – There is a lot of science behind how and why accidents occur, especially physics. A reconstruction expert can use their knowledge and technology to restructure the chain of events that led up to the accident. These experts are often able to create links in the accident and establish fault.
- Actuaries and Economists – These financial experts can be helpful when you are needing to prove how your losses are related to your injuries and therefore your inability to work. Their feedback on potential capabilities and earning capacity can be used to establish what your losses may be in the future. These figures are sometimes often hard to speculate and measure.
Contact an Experienced Maryland Personal Injury Attorney
The La Plata & Waldorf personal injury attorneys at Hammad S. Matin, P.A. understand how personal injury lawsuits work and how the testimony of an expert witness can make or break your claim. We have a large number of expert witnesses that we are able to reach out to if needed during your claim. Contact us today to see how our attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Resources:
govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Document/N805AF670A64911DBB5DDAC3692B918BC?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)
govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Document/N805AF670A64911DBB5DDAC3692B918BC?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)
https://www.matinlaw.com/why-would-an-attorney-refuse-my-personal-injury-case/
