When we first meet with new clients, the last thing we’re thinking about is whether they’ll need to hire expert witnesses. Our Riverdale accident lawyers just want to settle your case as quickly as possible. We understand that you need money to pay your medical bills and mechanic’s bills. You don’t want things to drag on for months or even years.
However, if it gets to the point where your car accident attorney in Riverdale needs to prove fault, the best way to do that may be through an accident reconstruction specialist. They are trained to recreate motor vehicle accidents using whatever evidence is available at the scene. They sometimes will consult with the mechanic who fixed your car as well. Together, they’ll piece together the evidence in order to help your Riverdale accident lawyer prove your case.
Your Riverdale Accident Lawyer Needs Enough Evidence to Prove Fault
If your Riverdale accident lawyer can’t prove fault, they may have no choice but to hire an expert. Attorneys hire accident reconstruction specialists all the time. Ideally, you won’t need to hire any expensive witnesses. However, if that’s the only way your car accident attorney in Riverdale can prove your case, it’s worth every penny.
Usually, when the police come out to the accident scene, they do a thorough investigation. They try to determine, to the best of their ability, what happened. They can usually figure out what happened based on statements made by the drivers. They also may have statements made by eyewitnesses who saw the crash happen.
However, there are times when the police cannot come to any firm conclusions about who was at fault. If this is the case with your car accident lawsuit, you’ll need to rely on experts. They’ll have to piece together what happened in the moments leading up to the crash. Ideally, they’ll find that the other driver was the one who caused the accident. Worst case, they may find that you were partially at fault. The good news is that you can still collect damages, even if you were partially at fault for your accident.
You May Also Need an Expert Witness to Prove Your Damages
Even if your car accident attorney in Riverdale can prove fault, that doesn’t mean they can prove your damages. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to certain damages. However, your attorney will need to not only list your damages on your initial complaint. They will also need to prove each type of damages listed on your complaint.
If your car accident case is like the other cases our Riverdale accident lawyer handle, you may be entitled to some or all of the following:
- Medical bills and future medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost future income
- Pain and suffering
In order to collect any of these, your car accident attorney in Riverdale must specifically prove them. For most of them, it won’t be all that difficult. However, when it comes to pain and suffering, you may need to rely on experts. For example, if you had to see a therapist after your accident, they may be able to testify that you were depressed or anxious. As for physical pain, your surgeon or doctor may be able to confirm that you experienced a great deal of pain and discomfort. They can also testify that you’re going to continue to be in pain for years to come.
Your Car Accident Attorney in Riverdale Will Try to Settle your Case
While you may need to hire expert witnesses to testify at your trial, odds are, your case won’t make it that far. The objective is to settle your case early on so that you don’t have to go to trial. Trials are expensive and time consuming. Plus, there’s always the chance that you could lose in court. If that happens, you leave with nothing. So does your car accident attorney in Riverdale.
Your lawyer will reach out to talk to the insurance carrier to see if they’re willing to discuss a settlement. They should be just as willing as you are to settle the matter. Nobody wants to waste the time, money, and resources on a case they can’t win. If the experts you hire can help prove your case, make sure you let the defendant’s lawyer know that. It may be all the incentive they need to offer a settlement.
Every Case is Unique So You Should Meet with a Skilled Riverdale Accident Lawyer
In the moments after your car accident, the last thing you’re thinking about is suing the other driver. Your primary concern is to make sure that everybody is okay. You also need to check to see if your vehicle is still drivable. It isn’t until after the police finish their investigation that you start thinking about who was at fault. In most of the cases our Riverdale accident lawyers handle, the two drivers point at each other when it comes to fault. Nobody wants to admit that they have any responsibility whatsoever.
In some cases, our accident attorneys in Riverdale have no choice but to hire experts to testify on your behalf. This can get expensive. Plus, you risk the chance of the jury getting confused by listening to experts talking about technical aspects of the case. This is one of the reasons why your Riverdale accident lawyer will work hard to negotiate a settlement of your case. Not only will this avoid the need for hiring expert witnesses, but it will also resolve your case more quickly.
If you aren’t sure what steps to take in the days following your accident, call our office. We offer all new clients a free, initial consultation. This gives you a chance to get answers to any questions you may have. It also gives you the chance to find out what your case may be worth. Since this initial consultation doesn’t cost you anything, it’s working taking the time out to meet with a skilled attorney.
