You’ve been seriously hurt in a truck accident, and you want justice. But this type of personal injury case can get very complicated very quickly because there could be a lot of different parties that are liable for your injury. In order for you to get the most money possible, you’re going to need the strongest case possible, one backed up by solid, indisputable evidence. Various different types of expert witnesses can help with that.
These professionals have a deep understanding of the different components that make up a truck accident case and can explain the circumstances surrounding an accident in a way that a jury can understand. At Penn Kestner & McEwen, we have relationships with many types of experts and call on them on a regular basis to help our clients win their cases.
The following is a look at some of the different types of expert witnesses who could make the difference between winning and losing. If you would like more information on how we will work to help you obtain maximum compensation, please contact us online or call (800) 732-3070 for a free consultation.
Accident Reconstruction Specialists
If your case is going to be successful, your attorney will have to show exactly how the accident occurred. That’s where an accident reconstruction specialist comes in. This is a person with a great deal of knowledge in how to investigate an accident, analyze their findings, and present clear, easy-to-understand conclusions. Of the different types of expert witnesses, accident reconstruction specialists are one of the most common in truck accident cases.
This expert may, for example, be able to show that the driver of the truck was distracted or wasn’t driving safely enough to account for poor road conditions due to severe weather. They can look at “black box” data from the truck to see whether or not the driver was speeding at the time of the wreck.
Accident reconstruction specialists will typically go to the accident scene to gather evidence, taking pictures of the surrounding environment, as well as the road itself. For example, they will often photograph skid marks, road debris and other road conditions, and more. They’ll usually analyze the condition of the truck and other vehicles involved as well.
Medical Professionals
Insurance companies will often question the severity of the injuries suffered by a victim of a truck accident. When this happens, your attorney will bring in a medical expert to testify to just how badly you’ve been hurt.
You can bet that the insurer will have their own expert, one who will say that you’re exaggerating your injury or you were already hurt and you’re just trying to get the insurance company to pay for your treatment. They’ll do this, of course, in an effort to either pay you as little money as possible or to pay you nothing at all.
The jury will look at the conflicting testimony of both experts and make their own decision.
Mechanical Professionals
Your attorney will have other ways to show that you’re not to blame for the wreck. One of them could be bringing in a mechanical expert to testify on your behalf. This professional can show that the accident occurred due to some sort of product defect, such as a faulty tire that blew out. The mechanical expert witness may be able to prove some other component failed, such as the following:
- The brakes malfunctioned due to a lack of maintenance.
- The hitch failed, causing the trailer to separate from the cab.
- Whoever loaded the cargo did so negligently, causing a sudden balance shift that led to the driver losing control.
Penn Kestner & McEwen works with true professionals, ones who have years of experience working in the transportation industry and are intimately familiar with the inner workings of a commercial truck. They know components like the drive train, braking systems, coupling devices, engines, and many others. As a result, when they have to testify, their testimony will be incredibly compelling to a jury.
Trucking Regulation Specialists
These are experts who have an encyclopedic knowledge of the many regulations that govern the trucking industry. They’ll be able to tell, for instance, whether a driver was exhausted because they violated governmental rules regarding how many consecutive hours they can stay behind the wheel.
Economists
Proving your damages or financial losses is one of the most important parts of any truck accident lawsuit. You’ve likely accumulated a mountain of medical bills, and you’re also losing money because you can’t work.
An economic expert can help paint a picture of the full extent of your monetary losses. They can apply formulas to prove the losses you’re experiencing now and the ones you’ll accumulate in the future.
Why are Expert Witnesses so Important?
A vast amount of truck accident cases never go to trial. Eventually, the insurance company and the victim agree to a fair settlement offer, and the case comes to a conclusion. But insurers will often have to be convinced that they have no chance of winning in court. An expert witness can be key to making that happen.
There are other times when an insurance company will simply be stubborn, and the case will go to court. Expert witnesses can be incredibly important in this setting as well. They can fill in holes in a jury’s knowledge of how a truck works and how the accident took place. They’ll give jury members the information they need in order to understand why you deserve compensation. Without that understanding, the jury could be more likely to rule in favor of the defendant.
Contact Penn Kestner & McEwen if You’ve Been Involved in a Truck Accident
Hopefully, you have a much better idea of just how critical the testimony of different types of expert witnesses could be to your case. You can schedule a free case evaluation by calling Penn Kestner & McEwen at (800) 732-3070 or using our online form.
