Expert Witnesses in Houma Car Accident Cases
Car accidents can often be complicated when it comes to what may have caused the car crash in the first place. Having someone who knows extensive details about matters regarding car wrecks could be helpful for your case. Expert witnesses in Houma car accident cases are defined as someone who is permitted to testify because of advanced degrees or extensive experience about a relevant matter in a case.
A compassionate car accident attorney may be able to help garner a relevant expert witness for your case and help you get what you deserve following a car accident.
What Testimonies are Allowed by the Court From an Expert Witness?
The court will generally not allow opinion testimony with lay witnesses during a car accident case when the matter pertains to a specialized matter, like an injury or a matter concerning the inner workings of the car. A layperson is defined as meaning someone who does not have the expertise necessary to be considered appropriate for a trial. An expert witness has special training and experience and is allowed to give opinion testimony in a Houma car accident case, such as a medical doctor.
In a personal injury case, the plaintiff has the burden of proving that the at-fault party was negligent and violated a standard of care that was expected of them, that the plaintiff suffered injury, and that the injury was caused by the negligence of the at-fault party.
Typical Expert Witnesses in Car Accident Cases
As there are many different facets to a Houma car accident case, several different expert witnesses can be called upon. Someone becomes an expert witness by training and experience, such as a medical doctor licensed by the State of Louisiana. There is not necessarily a minimum requirement for experience. These experts include, but are not limited to:
- Toxicologists
- Vocational rehabilitation experts
- Economists
- Medical doctors
- Physical eherapists
- Psychologists and psychiatrists
- Lifecare plan experts
A skilled car accident attorney may know a relevant expert to call upon to help sway the judge. All of these people carry the expertise to be considered expert witnesses in Houma car accident cases.
Expert Witness and Plaintiff Relationship
In a Houma car accident case, the expert witness is allowed to have an existing relationship with the plaintiff. In every case where the treating physicians testify on behalf of the injured party, they have the potential to have an existing relationship because they are treating physicians.
It is a matter of law in Louisiana that the courts recognize that a treating physician who attends to a patient over a period of time on a regular basis may have an opinion as to matters such as diagnosis, prognosis, causation, and also future medical needs. An expert who is testifying on behalf of the defendant or an insurance company is given less weight in the Louisiana court of law while treating physicians are given greater importance.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Expert Witness in a Houma Car Accident Case?
Having expert witnesses in Houma car accident cases testify during trial could be helpful in putting all evidence together for a jury to understand. Expert witnesses are often important in proving matters such as impairment of earning capacity with people who maintain permanent disabilities from car accidents.
All expert witnesses, especially medical witnesses, are necessary to prove the damages of the injuries in personal injury cases. A seasoned personal injury attorney could know how to use an expert witness to their advantage and advance their case’s argument.
Discuss Expert Witnesses in Houma Car Accident Cases with an Attorney
For any case of where there is any kind of substantial or permanent injury, a car accident attorney could suggest using an expert witness during the trial. An experienced attorney may have used expert witnesses in Houma car accident cases before and could leverage their connections to secure reliable experts for a person’s case. A witness of this caliber could help to bolster the plaintiff’s case and support their claims for potential damages. A skilled car crash injury attorney could work with expert witnesses to help an individual recover the compensation they deserve. Call Kopfler & Hermann today to get started.