How Expert Witnesses Can Help You Win Your Motorcycle Collision Claim
Motorcycle accidents can cause devastating, life-altering injuries. Motorcyclists do not have the same sort of external protection that drivers and commercial vehicles have. For that reason, they are more exposed to the force of the accident and may suffer spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, and other severe injuries.
If a negligent driver caused your motorcycle accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries from the at-fault driver's insurance provider or through a personal injury lawsuit. In addition to hiring an experienced Charlotte personal injury attorney, you may also need expert witnesses. These witnesses can provide testimony about your claim, including the extent of your medical injuries. They can also give evidence of what caused the motorcycle accident.
What is an Expert Witness?An expert witness is a person with specialized training, education, or experience that qualifies them to provide an opinion on a disputed issue. In motorcycle accident cases, expert witnesses could be required to testify about the accident's causes. An attorney can help you select an expert witness with the right qualifications who has the ability to explain their findings in an understandable way to the insurance company and jury.
Types of Expert Witnesses That Can Be Helpful in Motorcycle Accident ClaimsHiring an expert witness can be expensive, so you will benefit from working with an attorney to help you hire experts to benefit your case. An attorney can help you decide which type of expert testimony will help your compensation claim. If your attorney has successfully handled many motorcycle coalition claims, they will have a network of qualified experts they regularly work with to support their clients' claims.
Accident Reconstruction ExpertsAn accident reconstruction expert may be necessary if the cause of your motorcycle accident is difficult to determine. Alternatively, if the insurance company is disputing that the insurance negligence caused the crash, an accident reconstruction expert can help you prove that the other party caused the accident. An accident reconstruction specialist evaluates all of the evidence available in the case to reconstruct the circumstances that led up to the accident, including, but not limited to, the following:
- The police report
- Photos of the damage to the motor vehicle, the crash scene, and your motorcycle
- Witness statements
- Black box data from the vehicle that struck you
- Video footage of the collision from cameras at nearby businesses
Once an accident reconstruction specialist has reviewed the evidence, they will make a determination as to how the collision occurred. The accident reconstruction specialists will write a detailed report that your attorney can use to attempt to convince the insurance company of its liability. Some motorcycle accident reconstruction experts will use computer-generated reenactments of the accident that can be provided as evidence to the jury at your trial.
Economic ExpertsIf you suffered long-term injuries and have not fully recovered from them, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for your future medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you have endured. You could also be entitled to damages for your lost earning capacity if you have taken a significant pay cut, had to make a career change, or became permanently disabled because of your injuries. An expert economist can help you accurately determine how much money you will lose out on in the future because of your injuries.
DoctorProving the extent and severity of your injuries is essential to recovering the full compensation you deserve. You may need a physician to be an expert witness to explain the seriousness of your injuries and how they will affect your ability to work and quality of life. Doctors can also help you determine if you will be able to make a full recovery. They can shed light on what medical treatments you will need throughout your life.
Vocational ExpertIf your injuries prevent you from returning to your job, you may benefit from hiring a vocational expert. A vocational expert can provide an opinion on the types of jobs you may be able to do given your injuries or explain why your injuries prevent you from working in the future.
Contact a Skilled Charlotte Personal Injury AttorneyIf you or your loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Charlotte, North Carolina, you will benefit from hiring an experienced attorney. Contact the Charlotte Attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about your legal options.