Helping a Judge and Jury Understand the Complex Issues in a Truck Accident Claim

In the aftermath of a collision with a semi, big rig, 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer or other large commercial truck, you have the right to seek full and fair compensation for all your losses, including unearned wages and income, unreimbursed medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium/companionship, and property damage. Truck accident claims pose unique challenges, though:

• The causes of the accident can often be difficult to determine
• The potential medical and financial consequences can be uncertain

In a lawsuit to recover damages for losses sustained in a commercial truck accident, it’s common to introduce testimony from other parties to the accident, or from bystanders who witnessed the events. You can also bring in physical evidence, such as pictures of the road conditions or the damage to your vehicle. However, it’s usually essential to retain expert witnesses to most effectively present your case to the judge and jury.

What Is the Function of an Expert Witness?

To succeed with a personal injury lawsuit, you must show two things:

• Who is liable—Who caused the accident and how they caused it
• How much you have and will lose as a consequence of the accident (your damages)

Expert witnesses are commonly used to establish both liability and damages.

To establish liability, your attorney will typically work with an “accident reconstruction specialist,” often an engineer, who will gather factual data and re-create the events of the accident. That may include measuring skid marks or carefully examining and documenting the damage to both vehicles (among other things).

Two different expert witnesses are commonly used to establish your losses:

• A medical expert will testify regarding the nature of your injuries, how they were sustained, and what care/costs will be required in the future
• A financial expert can accurately calculate both the present and future costs of all your losses, and will typically provide a present value of all future damages

Contact the Law Offices of David J. Karbasian, PC

Send us an e-mail today or call us at 856-667-4666 / 856-600-HURT to schedule an appointment to discuss your personal injury claim. Evening and weekend consultations are available upon request. We can come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary.