Every single auto accident case is different. However, auto accidents that involve semi trucks bring a whole host of different issues that your attorney must be prepared to address. If your attorney does not have the requisite experience for handling major trucking accident cases, this could result in a reduction in value of your case. The attorney you hire must possess the utmost knowledge and experience in handling trucking accidents cases. If they do not, look elsewhere.

What Are Expert Witnesses?

Expert witnesses are individuals who possess specialized knowledge in a certain field that can contribute to the proving of your case. These experts often have decades of experience working with and around the trucking industry such that they will be able to testify based upon their years of research and experience. These experts are also usually familiar with the tactics that trucking companies use to try to devalue or deflect blame.

Typical Trucking Accident Expert Witnesses

Trucking accident expert witnesses come in all different shapes and sizes. Some evaluate the truck itself and make determinations regarding the mechanical nature of the truck. Other experts testify as to the road conditions or the outside influences such as weather, sunshine, glare, etc., that may have affected or contributed to an accident. In addition, there are expert witnesses who will testify as to the medical, mental or physical condition of the truck driver him or herself. Some examples of trucking accident expert witnesses are as follows:

• Accident reconstructionist. This expert witness did not actually witness the accident itself. However, this type of witness testifies as to the cause of the accident. Accident reconstructionists utilize all of the data from the truck, the witnesses, the parties to the lawsuit, the road conditions, the mechanical nature of the truck and all other factors to come to a conclusion as to who is at fault for causing the accident. In essence, they use all of the data to reconstruct the accident and determine fault.
• Commercial vehicle mechanic. The focus of the commercial vehicle mechanic is upon the truck itself and how it was operating at the time of the accident. Was the truck within code in all aspects? How are the brakes? How dirty was the windshield? Were the lights of the truck operational? These are key factors that may contribute to an accident.
• Trucking industry practices expert. This expert provides information as to what the industry standards are both locally and nationally. Violations of any of the standards of practice or regulations in the trucking industry can be evidence of negligence.
• Metallurgist. This expert can testify as to the failure of any aspect of a truck and provide a “failure analysis” as to why the truck broke or failed in anyway to cause an accident.
• Mental health expert. This expert can provide testimony with regard to any outside influences such as anxiety and depression that could result in fatigue or other mental factors that could result in an accident.
• Roadway design expert. This expert can testify as to how the elevation, design, direction, or curvature of a roadway can contribute to an accident.
• Forensic toxicologist. This expert provides testimony as to any drug or alcohol factors that may have contributed to the happening of an accident. If blood is taken from a driver, this expert can testify as to the contents of the blood, and what they are indicative of (such as prescription drugs etc.) and how they may have contributed to the accident.

Additional Expert Witnesses Particular to The Facts of The Case

Depending upon the facts and circumstances of the case, such as whether not a death resulted from the accident or whether there is permanent injury that resulted from an accident, there are certain experts that may be hired to testify with regard to the damages of a case. These include but are not limited to:

• Physician or surgeon. Your doctor or doctors can be considered expert witnesses in that they will provide testimony with regard to not only your specific injuries, but also how the specific injuries will contribute to your inability to work or your inability to perform your own activities of daily living into the future.
• Economist.  This expert witness will provide testimony with regard to your loss of past income, anticipated future income as well as a calculation as to what you may have earned during your lifetime if it had not been for the accident at issue. This expert takes a look at your education, experience, current job and potential for income growth while making their calculations. These calculations would be presented to a jury as evidence of future economic loss.
• Vocational rehabilitation expert.  This expert can testify as to the way the accident and your injuries have impacted your ability to work and live in your community. They will also be able to testify as to what assistance you may need both around your house and in public into the future. Lastly, this expert will testify as to the anticipated cost of this assistance moving forward.
• Life care plan expert. This witness provides testimony as to the anticipated future cost of your medical care moving forward. These costs can be projected for the remainder of your anticipated life expectancy.

Persons injured in truck accidents should hire an attorney who has all of the above experts ready to testify on your behalf. Failure to hire the right attorney who is ready to move forward with your trucking injury case can have terrible consequences.

Get David Get Paid!

The experienced trucking accident injury attorneys at Femminineo Law can provide you with the representation necessary to get maximum results from a trucking accident case. Femminineo Law been handling trucking accident cases for over 27 years and counting. Femminineo Law handles all trucking accident cases on a contingent basis which means if there is no recovery, there is no fee.

If you were injured in an accident involving a truck, call us today at 855.65.CRASH or go to our website www.getdavidgetpaid.com.