An expert witness is someone qualified to shed light on the circumstances of an accident or its effects. These experts bring knowledge and expertise greater than an average person or witness could.

What Qualifications Must Expert Witnesses Have?

According to the Federal Rules of Evidence, an expert witness must meet the following qualifications:

  • “The expert’s scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will help the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue.
  • The testimony is based on sufficient facts or data.
  • The testimony is the product of reliable principles and methods.
  • The expert has reliably applied the principles and methods to the facts of the case.”

Personal injury cases involve establishing how an accident occurred and how the accident will affect the involved parties. S. Burke Law knows how valuable an expert witness can be in helping your claim.

What Are the Different Types of Expert Witnesses?

Personal injury claims hinge on proving liability. Expert witnesses contextualize your claim to prove liability and establish any short- or long-term effects. Broadly, there are two types of expert witnesses who we may call upon to support your case:

  • Consulting experts: A consulting expert explains the issues and facts relevant to your case. However, they do not testify in court. They help explain complex issues to your attorney.
  • Testifying experts: A testifying expert speaks in front of a judge and jury. Consulting experts can also be testifying experts, but they must be able to effectively communicate their findings on your behalf.

Whether S. Burke Law calls on one or both of these experts depends on the details of your case. However, both types of experts can make a huge difference when proving your case and establishing the damages to which you are entitled. In more than 20 years of practicing, Sheryl Burke has built numerous valuable relationships with expert witnesses in the community.

How Can Expert Witnesses Help My Claim?

The type of witness the team at S. Burke Law would call upon for you depends on the nature of your personal injury case. For example, if you were involved in a car accident, Sheryl Burke could call an accident reconstructionist to help prove that you were not at fault.

If you suffered a whiplash injury, a doctor demonstrating how your injuries are consistent with the type of accident you were involved in would greatly help your case. Expert witnesses contribute to personal injury cases in a variety of ways, and their testimonies generally provide some of the following:

  • Medical evaluation
  • Projected medical costs
  • Loss of earning potential
  • Accident reconstruction or assessment
  • Opinion of liability for an injury

Discuss your case with the team at S. Burke Law. Once you enlist our help, we can determine whether your case might benefit from expert witness testimony. If so, we will work with our pool of experts to get you the testimony your case needs.

Call S. Burke Law for a free consultation today: 404-842-7838.