The role of expert witnesses in Tampa car accident cases is to support the plaintiff in multiple ways. Though expert witnesses typically do not see the accident themselves, they have expertise that is relevant to the plaintiff’s claim or lawsuit.
Tampa personal injury lawyers routinely work with expert witnesses, using their credibility, experience, and knowledge to improve a client’s case.
What Is an Expert Witness?
As the Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice explains, expert witnesses make observations and reach conclusions about the case they’re testifying about.
In a car accident case, an expert witness might testify about:
- The details of the collision
- Who caused the collision
- The damages a victim has suffered because of the collision
- Other aspects of the case
A judge or jury ultimately determines whether expert witness testimony is reliable. Therefore, our team relies on qualified, credible experts with a deep understanding of the topic.
Types of Expert Witnesses Who May Help Your Car Accident Case in Tampa
An expert witness can testify about virtually any aspect of a car accident case. Therefore, a wide range of experts may be useful to your lawsuit, including:
Accident Reconstruction Experts
Accident reconstruction engineers and consultants often help with car accident cases. These parties understand at an expert level:
- How a motorist’s actions contribute to a collision
- How long it takes a vehicle to stop based on its speed
- How weather conditions contribute to a collision
- What happens when vehicles collide
- How to determine fault for a collision (even when there are no eyewitness accounts or video footage available)
Our firm has deep connections with qualified accident reconstruction experts in Tampa, and we rely on those connections when building our cases.
Motorist Safety Experts
Motorist safety experts deeply understand how motorists should act in certain situations and may be able to testify that a liable motorist acted in a way that caused your accident.
These experts can often rely on physical evidence to make their case, even without eyewitness testimony or video footage. For example, an expert witness might use photographs of the damaged vehicles to indicate that the at-fault motorist was speeding at the time of the collision.
Medical Professionals
Expert witness testimony by medical professionals is becoming increasingly common. In a Tampa car accident case, a medical expert may testify about:
- The specific injuries you suffered
- The severity of your injuries
- The symptoms your injuries produce
- The types of treatment you require
- Whether any of your injuries are disabling
- How long it will take you to recover
- The current and future cost of your medical care
Medical expert testimony can carry great weight in a Tampa car accident case.
Law Enforcement Officers, EMTs, and Firefighters
First responders who arrived at your accident scene may have valuable testimony to share. Even first responders who did not respond to your specific accident may have useful information for your case.
Digital Forensics Experts
Digital forensics experts can secure and analyze cellular records, video footage, or other digital assets related to your case. These records may help prove the liable party’s negligence—for instance, if they were on the phone or texting when your accident happened.
Economists and Wage Experts
Economists and wage experts may testify about the financial cost of your accident, including any wages you lost (or will lose) because of your injuries. Experts like these are especially helpful in cases where a victim cannot work for a long period of time.
Your legal team’s understanding of various experts—and more importantly, relationships with those experts—may prove very beneficial to you.
How Expert Witnesses Assist With a Tampa Car Accident Case
Expert witnesses can help your case in several ways, such as:
- Testifying: An expert may provide direct testimony related to your case.
- Calculating damages: A financial expert or medical professional can help calculate the cost of your future damages, including medical care and lost income.
- Reconstructing your accident: Accident reconstruction is particularly helpful if there are no eyewitnesses and no video footage of your car accident in Tampa.
Attorneys rely on experts to add credibility, shore up any weak points in a case, and help car accident victims get the compensation they deserve.
Can an Expert Witness Improve Your Odds of Winning a Car Accident Lawsuit?
It is never possible to gauge the odds of winning your case. While our legal experience allows us to identify a strong or weak case, there are too many variables to set precise odds of victory.
That said, our firm hires experts when we believe they can make a client’s case stronger. In this sense, an expert’s testimony or service can improve the client’s odds of getting the compensation they deserve.
Our Firm Pays the Cost of Hiring Experts for Your Tampa Car Accident Case
If you handled your own car accident case in Tampa, you would have to hire any experts you want to use. When you work with our firm, we pay the cost of hiring all experts.
We also pay every other cost associated with your case—we only collect a fee if you win. Because our car accident lawyers plan to win every case we accept, we’re confident that our percentage of your recovery will cover the cost of hiring expert witnesses.
Additional Benefits of Hiring a Tampa Car Accident Lawyer From our Firm
Our attorneys are ready to lead your car accident case from start to finish, including securing evidence, documenting your damages, calculating a fair settlement value, and manage all other case details.
By allowing our Tampa car accident lawyers to manage your case, you can:
- Prioritize your health by avoiding additional stress
- Allow a proven legal team to fight for your financial recovery
- Avoid paying out of pocket for expert witnesses and other case-related costs
Contact Us Today for Your Free Consultation
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine want to fight for you—it’s what we do. A Tampa car accident lawyer from our team can start your case today. Don’t wait to contact us, as we typically face filing deadlines for cases like yours.
To get started and learn more about the role of expert witnesses, contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for your free consultation.