July 29, 2021
Personal Injury Lawyer
Medical malpractice, on-the-job injuries, car accidents, and a number of other situations can cause personal injuries. If an injury is severe enough, it could lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing physical and mental health problems. As a personal injury lawyer can explain, if you are considering filing a personal injury lawsuit, it helps to know whether there are witnesses who can vouch for your situation.
Witnesses Who You Know
Many times, an accident happens in front of someone you know, or the person you know sees you directly afterwards. If a friend or relative saw the accident, he or she can attest to the nature of the injury and whether you seemed to be in legitimate pain. Go over the facts with them as soon as possible after the accident, noting anything of importance while the memories are fresh. This way, you can write a statement if it becomes necessary and ask your witness to sign it.
Witnesses You Don’t Know
Sometimes, a stranger sees your accident and can provide information as to what caused the accident or how you were injured. Return to the scene of the accident to find out if people who live or work in the immediate area saw what happened. This is especially helpful for car accident cases. If you find a witness who saw enough to indicate that someone else was at fault, you’ll need to gather information from him or her.
First, get the witness’ name, address, phone number, and email address. Some people will be hesitant to provide information to a stranger, so don’t push if someone won’t give you an address or phone number. You’ll also need to write down what he or she saw andwhere the witness was when it happened. Ask if your witness is willing to sign a written statement if necessary.
Expert Witnesses
Sometimes, a personal injury case requires an expert witness. An expert witness is someone who did not see the accident but who has specialized training or knowledge that relates to the situation. Typically, an expert witness is a health expert who can provide insight into your physical injuries and their prognosis, a mental health expert who can show how your accident affected you mentally, or someone who is an expert in accident reconstruction, manufacturing, or engineering. Sometimes, even an economics expert is helpful because he or she can demonstrate the long-term effects of the accident on your financial future. Rules for expert witnesses vary by state but are best handled with an experienced attorney.
If you think you have cause to file a personal injury lawsuit, hire a professional attorney as soon as possible. Doing so ensures you meet deadlines and follow a process that is most likely to have a favorable outcome.