Should I Hire An Expert For My Arizona Personal Injury Claim?

Sometimes, the party at fault in a personal injury claim isn’t black and white. It can require input from not just a legal professional, but at least one other type of expert to get to the root of what happened and why. There are countless types of experts in subject matters that can be quite surprising. But will they actually help you get more out of your injury claim? The answer to that question varies on a case-by-case basis. But it doesn’t hurt to learn more about expert witnesses if you have been in an accident with complex factors affecting the case. Read on to learn more about the types of expert witnesses that could be useful if you have a high value injury claim. To schedule your free consultation with an experienced Arizona accident lawyer from My AZ Personal Injury, call 480-833-8000 today. 

Different Types of Accidents, Different Types of Experts

The types of experts relevant to an accident claim will depend on the specific type of accident. For example, if an accident occurs in a construction zone, the case could require a different expert than if the case involves a collision with an improperly loaded commercial truck. Below are some of the types of accidents you may consider based on common traffic accident scenarios:

• Commercial vehicle: Accidents involving commercial vehicles can result in serious bodily injury or death, which also means that they tend to be higher-value claims. The flip side is that means that insurance companies will expend more resources to defend these claims. Trucking experts can opine on issues like if a truck was loaded properly, if a truck or trailer had mechanical issues, and if a truck driver followed state and federal law as well as industry standards. They can also help pinpoint parties liable in a commercial vehicle collision, as separate parties may be responsible for loading the vehicle versus driving it. 
• Construction zone: Construction experts can help answer questions that arise during claims for accidents that occurred in construction zones. There are certain protocol that should be followed to ensure the safety of both construction workers and drivers when a road becomes an active job site. An expert witness report from a construction expert can help an accident victim secure their arguments against the opposing party. 
• Accident Reconstruction Experts: Accident reconstruction experts could become relevant in just about any type of traffic collision injury claim. They can analyze evidence like tire track marks, dash cam footage, police reports, and more to paint a clear picture of how a car crash occurred. Their reports could be useful in obtaining a fair settlement, but they can be called to testify at trial as well. 
• Human Factors Expert: A human factors expert specializes in how people interact with technology, environments, machines, and products. For example, a human factors expert could opine on how quickly a person would see a hazard on the road and how long it would then take them to react and hit the brakes. Another example would be calling a human factors expert to opine on whether the driver of a self-driving vehicle had enough time to take over controls to correct the vehicle’s misinterpretation of something on the road. 

Medical Experts

A medical expert generally can’t opine on factors contributing to a crash (although there are exceptions, like a toxicologist opining on a driver’s blood alcohol level). But a medical expert can still play a highly important role in a personal injury claim. First of all, it’s crucial for someone injured in an accident to seek medical attention as quickly as possible after an accident. This is true whether or not that person believes they have been injured, because there are injuries that can remain latent until after the claim has been settled, like whiplash. It will be almost impossible to pursue a personal injury claim without seeing a doctor to at least establish a medical record related to the accident. 

Future Medical Expenses

Next, that doctor’s medical records could be used as evidence to establish damages. Clearly, billing documents will be used to calculate how much the plaintiff and their health insurance provider should be compensated for those costs. But after a serious accident, the plaintiff may have such grave injuries that they will require medical care for several years to come, or even for life. A medical expert can write a report which helps the attorney determine how much should be demanded for future medical expenses. They may also need to be deposed or called to testify at trial to assist in supporting the plaintiff’s claims. Sometimes, a case requires expertise from more than one expert, such as an emergency room doctor and a cardiologist. However, this can increase costs, especially if the experts have to communicate with each other. 

Life Care Planning Expert

If the plaintiff’s injuries are severe enough to require medical care lasting longer than their claim’s statute of limitations, a life care planning expert could be relevant as well. Their job is to assess an accident victim’s injuries and needs to create a life care plan. This life care plan will include treatments they may need, specialized equipment and home modifications, and more. These are the kinds of expenses that a plaintiff must calculate to receive future medical expenses damages in their injury award. Many life care planning experts holds a CLCP, or Certified Life Care Planner certification. They can also be relevant in medical malpractice and elder abuse claims. 

Pain and Suffering

Another damage that can greatly benefit from the retainer of a medical expert is pain and suffering. Pain and suffering can end up being the highest damage awarded in a personal injury claim. This is because it is usually based on how much the plaintiff was awarded for the rest of their damages combined. For example, the plaintiff can request damages based on the multiplier method, which is calculated by multiplying the sum of the rest of their damages on a number, usually between 1 and 5, assigned according to the severity of their injuries. A medical expert can help illustrate why the pain and suffering damages demanded are as high as they are. They can explain how excruciating their initial injuries were, and how long and painful recovery will be. They can explain medical procedures in detail and how traumatic they can be for the patient. 

Before You Look for an Expert Witness, Retain Experienced Legal Counsel for Your Arizona Injury Claim

Retaining an expert witness can be expensive, so a claim needs to be above a certain value for it to be worth the cost. Your Arizona personal injury lawyers will help estimate the damages for your demand letter and determine the likelihood of your claim settling for that amount. Expert witness reports and testimony are just a piece in the puzzle that assembles a successful personal injury claim. But quality legal representation is the key to achieving an injury award that fairly compensates you for your injuries. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Arizona, contact My AZ Personal Injury Lawyers today at 480-833-8000 for more information.