How Expert Witnesses Strengthen Your Personal Injury Case

Filing a personal injury case in Nevada can be the best course of action after a harmful accident caused by the careless or reckless actions of another person. As the plaintiff or filing party, however, it is up to you to prove that what you’re claiming is more likely to be true than not true. Hiring expert witnesses can be a highly effective way to strengthen your claim and clarify key points regarding fault, liability, and your losses.

What Are Expert Witnesses?

An expert witness is someone who is hired during a personal injury case to provide testimony on a specific subject on which he or she is classified as an expert. These individuals must have enough knowledge, experience, education, or training on the matter to qualify as experts in the eyes of the law.

The purpose of hiring an expert witness is to explain or clarify complex case-related issues. Many personal injury cases in Las Vegas involve highly technical or nuanced issues. A pedestrian accident case involving a dangerously designed roadway, for example, might benefit from a road engineer’s professional opinion to explain the problems that caused the collision.

Examples of Expert Witnesses for Nevada Personal Injury Claims

There is an endless list of potential expert witnesses who may be hired to testify during personal injury claims in Nevada. The right expert for your case will depend on the surrounding circumstances. Common examples include:

  • Accident reconstruction experts: Professionals who can analyze evidence to reconstruct how an accident must have happened. In a car accident case, for example, an expert may use crash scene photos, witness statements, and vehicle damage to determine how the accident occurred.
  • Medical experts: Physicians, life care planners, or other professionals with advanced medical knowledge who can comment on the victim’s injuries, such as how they may have happened or their continued impact on the victim’s life. 
  • Economic experts: Financial experts who can explain the financial impact of an accident and injury on the victim to help the jury calculate fair compensation. This may include long-term impacts on the victim’s ability to earn a living.

Depending on the type of expert witness hired, he or she could strengthen your Las Vegas personal injury case by clarifying complex issues, establishing the defendant’s fault, proving a breached standard of care within a specific industry, demonstrating the severity of your injuries, or showing the financial value of your losses.

How to Find Expert Witnesses for Your Personal Injury Case in Las Vegas

Hiring one or more expert witnesses during your personal injury claim can enhance your credibility and help a jury make informed decisions about liability and damage awards. If you wish to explore the possibility of hiring experts to strengthen your claim, start by contacting a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer near you.

A personal injury attorney will have an established network of highly qualified experts to use during your case. Your attorney will know which type of expert to select based on the needs of your individual case. You won’t have to worry about researching or vetting your expert. Depending on the law firm, the costs of hiring the expert may also be fronted for you, only coming out of a settlement won. This is known as operating on a contingency fee basis.

To discuss expert witnesses in the context of a specific legal matter in Las Vegas, contact Koch & Brim, LLP for a free consultation.