If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, a car crash lawyer in Fort Myers can build a case for financial recovery. Getting the monetary compensation you need will mean dealing with the insurance company and adjuster. It can also mean identifying and consulting with various expert witnesses.
Navigating justice with a car accident lawyer serving Fort Myers can make this process easier. A local personal injury lawyer can define the impact of expert witnesses in car accident cases and consult with those who will provide the greatest benefit to your case.
What Types of Experts Will a Car Accident Lawyer Serving Fort Myers Consult?
The car accident attorney handling your case can bring familiarity with personal injury and insurance laws to your case. They can also consult with a wide range of experts and specialists who can substantiate your claim.
The role of expert witnesses in car accident cases depends largely on the details of each individual case. One or more of the experts listed below may be able to support your right to fair compensation.
Rehabilitation, Therapy, and Other Medical Experts
Medical professionals can attest to the cause and extent of your injuries. They can also testify about your ongoing treatment protocol and the degree of pain and suffering you have and may continue to experience.
Forensic and Accident Reconstruction Specialists
Proving the sequence of events that led to your accident and proving the at-fault driver’s negligence is necessary for a successful personal injury claim. Accident reconstruction experts can recreate the collision, conduct toxicology tests, interpret their results, and resolve disputes about negligence and liability.
Vocational and Economic Experts
Assessing the value of your compensation request is complex, especially since some of its value requires future casting. Economic and vocational experts can help your personal injury attorney define the costs of vocational retraining, tangible and intangible damages, and repair or replacement of your vehicle and other damaged personal property.
Life Care Planning Experts
These specialists can assess any disabilities and impairments caused by the accident and your subsequent long-term physical, occupational, and mental health care therapies. They can also describe your future employment abilities, life expectancy, and more.
Expert Witness Testimony Can Help You Avoid a Reduced Financial Settlement
In Florida, you can recover damages if less than half of the accident’s cause is attributed to you. If the other driver ran a red light, but they allege you were distracted, the insurance company or a judge may assign a percentage of fault to you.
According to Florida’s comparative fault law (Florida Statutes § 768.81), any compensation awarded to you will be reduced by your corresponding percentage of fault. Expert witnesses’ observations and testimony can ensure any fault distribution is accurate.
Crucial Evidence Your Automobile Accident Lawyer Will Compile for Your Claim
The input of expert witnesses can encourage a car accident settlement. In addition to expert witnesses, your car accident case may benefit from the following documents and other evidence:
- Photos and videos of the accident scene and vehicle damage
- Accident scene debris
- Police report
- Proof of income
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- First responder reports
Your personal injury law firm will not tax you with evidence collection. They will assess, organize, and submit it to the negligent driver’s insurance adjuster.
With help from an experienced attorney, you may qualify for a wide range of economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical costs
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The Influence of Expert Testimony on Car Accident Lawsuits
A primary benefit of hiring an accident attorney rather than taking legal action alone is their extensive experience with Florida’s car accident laws. Personal injury claims rarely go to court. However, if yours does, handling your case would require extensive knowledge of courtroom dynamics in your case, including:
- Pre-trial settlement negotiations
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
- Gaining evidence via discovery
- Mediation and arbitration
At trial, each side will make opening statements, question and cross-examine witnesses, and present evidence and exhibits. Your car accident case is only as strong as your accumulated evidence. Your legal team will build a compelling case file on your behalf.
A Car Accident Attorney Serving Fort Myers Will Respect the Filing Deadline
Florida’s personal injury statute of limitations recently changed from four years to two years, which can make filing your lawsuit on time difficult. In addition, according to Florida Statutes § 95.051, the statute of limitations can pause or extend, making compliance even more complicated.
In general, you now have two years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11. Your auto accident lawyer can interpret the filing deadline and help you avoid the costly consequences of filing your lawsuit too late.
Contact Our Evaluation Team About Your Car Accident Case Today
Rather than dealing with the personal injury process on your own, you can navigate justice with a car accident lawyer serving Fort Myers. We understand the impact of expert witnesses in car accident cases and will select the right experts for your case. We will also negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf and guide you through the entire legal process.
At the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato, our legal professionals get results. Contact our team at (954) 633-8270 for a free initial consultation today.
