Accidents can cause injuries that range from minor issues to life-altering disabilities. When you submit an injury claim to an insurance company after an accident, you will need to have strong evidence to present your best case. You will need to prove that your injuries happened and that the defendant is responsible for causing them. Part of your claim will require you to prove the extent of your injuries and your likelihood of recovering from them, and medical experts play a crucial role in this process. A medical expert can explain the degree of your injuries as well as the impact that they may have on your future, helping you build a strong and solid case. Don’t underestimate the importance of expert medical witnesses in injury claims.
The Importance of Expert Medical Witnesses
In a negotiation with an insurance company or at a trial, the evidence that you present is key to your outcome. The importance of expert medical witnesses lies in the fact that their opinions carry greater weight than the opinions of average people. For this reason, medical experts must show that they have the experience and education necessary to support their opinions.
Medical experts can explain the evidence and provide their professional opinions on your injuries and what caused them. They can also explain your future medical needs and your likelihood of recovering from your injuries. Medical experts have a superior understanding of different medical conditions and the impact that they can have on people who suffer from them. When a medical expert supports your claim, they can use their experience and knowledge to present the facts and their expert opinions to insurance companies and juries, supporting the basis for your claimed medical losses.
When you choose the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave for your injury claim, we may work closely together with expert medical witnesses to try to secure maximum compensation for your losses.
Why You Need an Independent Expert Medical Witness
The importance of expert witnesses is undeniable. Some injury victims think that they do not need to retain an independent expert medical witness because they believe they can simply ask a doctor who has treated them to support their claim. Retaining an independent medical expert is recommended, however, because the insurance company or jury may view your doctor as someone who has a bias in your favor. If you use your personal doctor as a medical witness, the defense is likely to argue that your doctor wants to ensure that you obtain a favorable outcome. This is particularly true if you use a doctor with whom you’ve built a relationship over a long period of time.
Why Testimony from an Expert Medical Witness Helps
Insurance companies that defend against personal injury claims often try to argue that the injuries were not caused by the accidents in which the victims were involved. Medical experts can be very helpful in the face of these types of arguments. They can show that the accident was the cause of your injuries using their expert knowledge. In a personal injury case, the injured plaintiff has the burden of proving that the actions of another person or entity caused his or her injuries. The assistance of an experienced injury lawyer and medical experts can help you meet this burden of proof.
In addition to presenting evidence of causation, it is also necessary to prove that the injuries resulted in monetary damages. Injured people do not simply receive money because they were hurt. Instead, they must show that their injuries caused them to lose money or income. To prove this, you may need to present evidence of your medical bills or the time that you were forced to miss work. You might also need to prove that your injury will have long-term impacts on your life, such as needing ongoing care or suffering a permanent disability that prevents you from working.
Medical experts and other types of expert witnesses can help you prove your claims to a jury. Experts bring professional weight to the facts that they present. At the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave, we work hard to find the medical experts that are needed to build strong claims.
Preparation by Expert Medical Witnesses
To prepare for giving expert testimony, medical experts will gather evidence to present. A medical expert will examine you and your medical records from the accident to write an independent report of your injuries and the impact that they might have on your life. General practitioners may be able to do this job in some cases. In other cases, a specialist may be needed.
Contact the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave
If you have been injured because of the actions of another person or business, you may have legal rights. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave will work closely with medical experts if necessary to build the strongest case possible for you. Call us today at 417-322-2222 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.