Expert Witness

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An expert witness has specialized knowledge of a subject that can help juries or judges understand a complicated matter. The Washington State rule of evidence for expert testimony mirrors the federal law.

According to the law, testimony by a witness qualified as an expert is permitted if:

• The expert provides technical, scientific, or specialized knowledge; and
• That information assists the trier of fact (judge or jury) in understanding the evidence or determining a fact that is at issue in the case.

A witness must be “qualified” as an expert before they can provide expert testimony. They can be qualified as a witness by having specialized skills, education, knowledge, or training regarding a specific subject. They can testify in the form of an opinion or otherwise.

How Do Expert Witnesses Help With Personal Injury Cases in Seattle, WA?

The role of an expert witness includes educating the court about a specific issue or matter critical to the case. They help make complex matters easier to understand for judges and juries. They also provide opinions that support the claims being made.

Expert witnesses are often used in complex personal injury cases, including those involving medical malpractice, product liability, premises liability, mass torts, and catastrophic injuries. However, experts are used in all types of matters when specialized knowledge is required to prove a key element of the case.

Examples of ways an expert witness can help with your personal injury case are described below; they can:

• Explain how an accident occurred to identify the parties responsible for causing your injuries.
• Help the jurors understand the extent of your injuries, including impairments and permanent disabilities.
• Establish the standard of care a defendant owed to the injured party and explain how the defendant’s actions breached the duty of care.
• Refute evidence presented by the defendants.
• Help establish the value of your economic and non-economic damages.
• Explain how a product is defective and how the defect caused your injuries.
• Determine the medical standard of care that a doctor or medical provider should have used in your case.

Expert witnesses can profoundly impact the outcome of a personal injury lawsuit in Washington State. Jurors may give more weight to the testimony of an expert because they view the witness as an impartial party who does not have a stake in the outcome of the case. They may also believe what the person says because they are an “expert” instead of someone without detailed knowledge and training.

Types of Expert Witnesses Used in Seattle Personal Injury Cases

The expert witnesses your personal injury lawyer might hire to assist with your case include:

• Accident reconstructionists will assist in determining how a motor vehicle accident occurred. They can identify who caused the accident by evaluating the factors that led to the cause of the crash.
• Medical specialists can explain the types of injuries you sustained. They’ll also help jurors understand the severity of your injuries and how those injuries can impact the rest of your life. Medical specialists also assist in determining the medical standard of care.
• Financial experts can analyze and evaluate your monetary losses to calculate how much your future damages are worth, including reductions in earning capacity and the cost of future medical and/or personal care.
• Manufacturing experts assist in explaining the complex nature of manufacturing a product, including how errors during the manufacturing process can cause a product to be defective.
• Trucking industry experts assist in truck accident cases. They testify about the various aspects of operating a commercial motor vehicle and how various factors contributed to the cause of a collision.
• Engineering experts assist in numerous cases, including those involving product liability, car accidents, aviation accidents, and premises liability.
• Vocational rehabilitation experts help explain how a person’s injuries prevent them from performing the tasks necessary for returning to work. They may also testify about how an impairment prevents the victim from performing other types of work.
• Life care planning experts analyze how an injury impacts a victim’s life, including their quality of life, ability to care for themselves, and enjoyment of life.

Experienced personal injury attorneys work with expert witnesses on many cases. They have the resources to hire experts when necessary to strengthen your claim.

Hiring an expert is necessary in many situations to prove legal elements. Without the testimony, you might not be able to convince a jury that the defendant caused your injuries.

Do I Need an Expert Witness for My Personal Injury Case in Seattle, Washington?

Whether your case requires an expert witness depends on numerous factors. An attorney at Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers will need to investigate your claim to determine whether hiring an expert will be beneficial.

You can ask an attorney about expert witnesses during a free consultation. You can also determine whether you have a valid personal injury case and how much it is worth. Call our law office at 206 727 4000.