Our Flagstaff Personal Injury Lawyers Explain How Expert Witnesses Can Help You Prove Your Auto Accident Claim
If you suffered injuries in a Flagstaff or Northern Arizona car accident, you may need to file a claim with the negligent driver's insurance company. However, the insurance company may not treat you fairly and may dispute your right to compensation for your injuries, even if you have a solid case. 
Hiring an expert witness could help you win your case. The experienced Flagstaff personal injury lawyers at Griffen & Stevens Law Firm, PLLC understand the critical role that expert witnesses can play in strengthening your car accident case. Our attorneys can identify which experts are needed and help ensure that their testimony effectively supports your claim.
Understanding the Role of an Expert Witness in a Flagstaff Car Accident Case
Under Arizona's Rules of Evidence, an expert witness is a professional with the necessary education, training, or experience to qualify as an expert in a specific field. These individuals are called on to provide testimony, offering their specialized knowledge to help the court and jury understand complex issues that are beyond an average person's understanding.
In car accident cases, expert witnesses can play a pivotal role in establishing the facts, determining liability, and proving the extent of damages and injuries sustained. They may be vital in helping you obtain the full value of your claim in your settlement with the insurance company.
Types of Expert Witnesses Helpful in Flagstaff Car Accident Cases
Different types of expert witnesses can provide valuable insights in car accident cases. The ones that could be helpful in your case will depend on the disputes raised by the insurance company to deny your claim and try to pay you less money than you deserve. Here are some of the key types of expert witnesses our personal injury lawyers may recommend you hire in your car accident case:
- Accident reconstruction expert. An accident reconstruction expert may be vital if the insurance company disputes the cause of the car accident and claims you were partially at fault. They will analyze skid marks, damage to the vehicles, photos taken after the collision, the police report, and witness statements to recreate the sequence of events leading up to the collision. They may also create a computer-generated reenactment of the wreck to show to the jury at your trial.
- Road design expert. A road design expert evaluates the roadway's design and maintenance to identify any factors that may have contributed to the auto accident. This can include poor signage, inadequate lighting, or unsafe road conditions, which can help establish liability if the road's design or maintenance was a factor in your crash.
- Engineering expert. Engineering experts assess mechanical failures or defects in vehicles involved in the collision. They can determine if a vehicle malfunction, such as brake failure or tire blowout, caused the crash, which can be critical in a personal injury case.
- Medical expert. Medical experts are vital to proving that your injuries were caused by the collision and the severity of your injuries. They can explain how long it could take for you to recover from your injuries, the medical treatments you need, and the long-term effect of your injuries on your health and quality of life.
- Economist. An economist would evaluate the financial impact of the car accident if you can no longer work or must change your profession due to your injuries. They can calculate lost wages, future earning capacity, and other economic losses resulting from the crash.
- Vocational rehabilitation expert. A vocational rehabilitation expert would assess if you will be able to return to work after the car accident. They would determine how your injuries affect your ability to find employment and what jobs, if any, you could perform in the future. Their findings can support claims for lost wages and diminished earning capacity damages.
- Psychological expert. You may need the help of a psychological expert to explain how the car accident caused you to suffer emotional and psychological distress. They can provide testimony on psychological conditions caused by the wreck, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, insomnia, and depression, and the mental health treatments you need.