In some personal injury cases, you need more than just your word and some documents. You might also need an expert witness—someone with special training or experience—to explain technical or complicated parts of your case.
Expert witnesses can help a jury understand how an accident occurred or the extent of someone’s injuries. They may also explain how much money the injured person needs to recover. This guide describes how expert witnesses operate in Indianapolis and why they are essential in personal injury cases.
What Is an Expert Witness?
An expert witness is an individual with specialized knowledge or experience in a specific field, such as medicine, engineering, or finance. They are not just regular witnesses who saw something happen. Instead, they’re asked to give their professional opinion to help the jury or judge understand things regular people might not.
For example, a doctor might explain how a crash caused an injury to someone’s back, or an accident reconstruction expert might use science and data to show how a car crash happened.
When Can an Expert Testify in Indiana?
Indiana courts follow specific rules to determine whether someone can testify as an expert. These rules ensure that the testimony is both helpful and trustworthy.
Under Indiana Rule of Evidence 702, a judge must decide two main things:
- Is the person qualified? They must have enough training, knowledge, or experience in their field. For example, a doctor giving an opinion about a back injury must be trained in that kind of injury.
- Is their opinion reliable and relevant? The expert’s methods and opinions must be based on good science or technical knowledge, and their opinion must help explain something in the case.
Courts often consider the Daubert standard (derived from the case Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals) to evaluate these elements.
What Makes Expert Testimony Reliable?
Judges will look at these things when deciding whether to let an expert testify:
- Has the expert’s method been tested?
- Is it accepted in their field?
- Is there enough data to support their opinion?
- Did they apply their method correctly to the case?
If the judge determines that the expert and their methods comply with the rules, the expert can testify in court.
Sharing Expert Information with the Other Side
In Indiana, both sides in a lawsuit must share expert witness information. This is referred to as disclosure, and it’s covered by Rule 26 of the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure.
Each side generally has to share:
- The expert’s name and contact info
- What they’ll talk about
- A summary of their opinions
- The facts or data they used
If a party doesn’t share this information on time, the expert’s testimony might be blocked. That’s why it’s important to follow the rules carefully.
Why Are Expert Witnesses Important?
Experts can make or break a personal injury case. They explain things the average person doesn’t understand.
That might include:
- What caused the accident
- How serious the injuries are
- How much money the injured person will lose in wages or medical bills
- Whether someone will need long-term care
An expert’s testimony can help demonstrate how an injury occurred and the extent to which it has impacted someone’s life.
Types of Expert Witnesses in Indianapolis Injury Cases
There are many kinds of experts that might be used in a case, depending on what happened:
- Medical experts testify about the severity and nature of an injury. They can help establish how an injury occurred and provide a long-term prognosis to assist with evaluating economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic experts help calculate the financial losses a person incurs, including ongoing medical treatment, personal care, and earning potential.
- Accident reconstructionists analyze physical evidence, data, and other factors to determine how an accident occurred.
- Vocational experts evaluate how an injury impacts a person’s ability to work. They also assess whether a person requires retraining to return to the workforce.
- Mental health professionals can provide opinions regarding a person’s emotional distress and mental anguish. They may explain how an accident or injury could cause someone to suffer from severe depression, PTSD, or chronic anxiety.
- Engineering experts may testify in product liability cases to explain how a product is defective due to its design or manufacturing process. The engineer helps jurors understand how the defect could cause injury.
Other experts might include construction professionals, pain specialists, mechanics, or anyone with the relevant knowledge for the case.
Contact Our Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been hurt and are filing a personal injury claim, a good lawyer can help you find and work with the right experts. These witnesses can support your case and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
At Rob King & Associates, Trial Lawyers, we know how to use expert witnesses to build strong cases. If you’ve been injured, contact our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation. We’re ready to help you understand your rights and fight for the money you need to move forward. Contact us today at (317) 916-0000 and get the help you deserve.
