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At Keller & Keller, we use every resource at our disposal to build the strongest possible cases for our clients. After a crash with a commercial truck has left you critically injured, you will need financial compensation that accounts for your current medical bills and the costs you might encounter in the future due to your injuries.
Proving that the truck driver or trucking company was negligent in causing the crash and determining the potential future value of your claim are the keys to success in these cases. That is why we often consult outside experts and call them to the stand to testify on behalf of our clients. Your case is too important to trust to just anyone. Learn about our experienced New Mexico truck accident lawyer team and the professionals we might utilize in your New Mexico truck crash case here.
Expert Witnesses Who Can Help Our Clients
We have decades of experience in truck accident cases, but in challenging cases, experts can sometimes see things that we don’t—and they carry a lot of weight with judges and juries. These experts can help establish liability, assess damages, and provide valuable testimony to strengthen the victim's case. Here are the types of expert witnesses we might use and how they could assist the victim's claim:
- Accident reconstruction expert. Accident reconstructionists analyze the collision's physical evidence, including vehicle positions, skid marks, and damage patterns. They recreate the accident scene using scientific principles to determine how it occurred. Their analysis helps establish factors like speed, direction of impact, and potential contributing factors, aiding in determining liability.
- Truck safety expert. Truck safety experts know federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry. They can assess whether the semi-truck driver and the trucking company followed safety protocols, maintained proper maintenance, and adhered to hours-of-service regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Their expertise can reveal any safety violations that may have contributed to the accident.
- Medical expert. Medical experts, such as physicians and specialists, can provide professional opinions on the nature and extent of the victim's truck accident injuries. They link the injuries to the accident and explain how they might impact the victim's present and future well-being, allowing for accurate assessment of medical costs, pain, suffering, and long-term effects.
- Economic expert. Economic experts evaluate the financial impact of the accident on the victim's life. They calculate past and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and potential rehabilitation costs. Their analysis helps quantify the economic damages the victim has suffered and will continue to face.
- Human factors expert. Human factors experts focus on driver behavior and decision-making. They assess whether the truck driver's actions are aligned with safe driving practices and examine factors such as fatigue, distraction, visibility, and reaction times. Their insights can show how the driver's behavior contributed to the accident.
- Roadway design expert. Roadway design experts evaluate the design and condition of the road where the accident occurred. They assess whether the road layout, signage, lighting, and maintenance played a role in the accident. Their analysis helps determine whether any road design deficiencies contributed to the collision.
- Psychological expert. In cases of severe emotional distress or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological experts can provide evaluations and opinions on the victim's mental and emotional state. Their testimony can help demonstrate the psychological impact of the accident on the victim's quality of life.
- Vocational rehabilitation expert. Vocational rehabilitation experts assess how the victim's injuries may affect their ability to work in the future. They help estimate potential losses in earning capacity due to reduced work options or changed career trajectories, providing valuable input on the victim's economic damages.
Each expert witness brings specialized knowledge to a truck accident case, helping us build a comprehensive and well-supported claim. By providing objective insights, analyses, and testimony, expert witnesses can contribute to a more accurate understanding of the accident's causes, the extent of the victim's injuries, and the financial and emotional impact on their lives.
When Do We Use Expert Witnesses?
Whether we call in experts on your case or not depends on the specific circumstances of your accident. If we believe we need help to build a strong case and get you all the compensation you deserve, we do not hesitate to get it. As always, you don’t pay a dime until we win your case, so you don’t have to worry about paying for experts to consult on a case. We always have your best interests in mind as we make decisions about your case.
