South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
Accidents can happen to anyone at any time. However, if you sustain injuries in an accident caused by the negligence of another party, you may be able to recover financial compensation for damages.
But how do you prove a personal injury claim? You’ll need to show a court or jury that the other party’s negligence caused damages, and you deserve full compensation.
While you know what happened, it’s often your word against the defendant’s during negotiation and litigation. This is unless you have evidence and witnesses to back up your claim.
The compassionate team at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers understands the significance of witnesses, the types of witnesses you’ll need, and how to find them. Please contact our personal injury lawyers serving Port St. Lucie to schedule a free consultation.
Read on to learn more about witnesses in personal injury cases.
Evidence Is Crucial in Injury Cases
Evidence plays a crucial role in personal injury cases. In most cases, the details of an accident are very unclear. Perhaps the only person who can shed light on what transpired is the target of your lawsuit.
Hiring a lawyer for your personal injury trial as soon as possible is crucial. Skid markings, gouge marks on the pavement, material testing, vehicle inspections, and witness statements are all examples of evidence that may need to be gathered promptly.
With the passage of time, witnesses fade away or lose interest in helping out. This highlights the significance of having an immediate conversation with witnesses. Insurance adjusters will usually try to shift blame when the damage is particularly severe.
Therefore, preserving the evidence and collecting statements from witnesses without delay is crucial before something changes or the evidence is lost. Repairing a vehicle before it can be inspected can nullify evidence and leave investigators with fewer leads. It is crucial to quickly secure and preserve evidence.
The claim is far more vulnerable to being reduced or even defeated when no proof or witnesses can back it up. The sooner you retain the services of a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney, the more time they will have to collect evidence in support of your claim.
Why Witness Testimonies Are Crucial
The person whose negligence caused your injuries will probably not take responsibility for what happened. And why should they? According to Florida state laws, it’s almost certain that they’d have to fully compensate you for all damages if they admit fault.
Most at-fault parties will try to shift the blame onto you, claiming they did nothing wrong. If they do this, you may fail to receive full compensation for your injuries. Therefore, it’s essential to have credible witness testimony.
Witnesses are third parties who corroborate your story, so it won’t be your word versus the word of the one who wronged you. It will come down to you and your witnesses’ word against the word of the person at fault. That helps you build a solid case.
Importance of Lay Witnesses
Lay witnesses can testify about what they saw leading up to, during, and after an incident that caused injuries. They do not need to be experts in any field for credibility. Such witnesses could be shoppers at the shop where you slipped and fell or passersby.
Whether your injury was caused by a vehicle accident, a slip and fall, or any other accident, having eyewitnesses testify on your behalf might shed light on what really happened. This is especially critical when liability is being questioned.
For example, if you were hurt in a car accident, witnesses may be able to shed light on the other driver’s actions just before the collision.
As the injured party, you may also have to testify in court. It would be best to describe what happened, how you were hurt, and how your injury affected your life. Your loved ones, friends, and coworkers can testify on your behalf to show how the injury has impacted your daily life.
Your attorney can work with them beforehand to help them prepare their testimony and ensure they know what to expect in court. Because of their ability to shed light on the evidence for the jury, lay witnesses are invaluable in personal injury cases.
Eyewitnesses and lay witnesses can help accident reconstructionists pinpoint the source of the accident by providing crucial details.
Importance of Expert Witnesses
Personal injury cases often require expert witnesses with unique qualifications in the area relevant to your personal injury case. The jury’s understanding of the injury and the factors contributing to it can be easily highlighted through expert witness testimonies.
Expert witnesses may also use hypothetical situations to shed light on the circumstances of the injury and strengthen your case. In a trial, the evidence of experts is crucial because it helps the jury have a deeper understanding of the issues and variables at play.
Below are some common types of expert witnesses:
- Engineers
- Highway safety experts
- Accident reconstruction specialists
- Economists
- Medical providers
- Forensic toxicologists
- Mental health experts
- Vocational rehabilitation experts
A seasoned personal injury lawyer will know what kind of testimony from experts would help build your case and will be the one to make the call to bring in the experts. For instance, in the case of medical negligence, your lawyer may retain the services of a qualified medical expert witness to shed light on critical issues.
How Do Personal Injury Lawyers Find Witnesses in Port St. Lucie?
Most clients wonder how we get witnesses for a personal injury case.
Our legal team will investigate thoroughly to find potential witnesses. It may be necessary to collect images or video from a traffic camera to identify and locate potential witnesses.
Another place we might look for possible witnesses is in police reports. Your lawyer can also conduct an interview with you to find witnesses who can attest to the seriousness of your injuries and the effect they have had on your life.
An experienced lawyer serving in Port St. Lucie, Florida, will have an extensive professional support system that helps them call upon expert witnesses. If you have a personal injury case, the attorneys at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers are well-connected with credible experts who are willing to offer their opinions.
Call Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers at (561) 800-8000 or fill in the online contact form on our website to schedule a free consultation and evaluate your case.