If you are pursuing a personal injury case, or even if you are only thinking about it, you may have considered the role witnesses could play in strengthening your case. Witnesses offer many benefits when you need to prove your case in court.

Before you consider bringing witnesses in for your case, you first need to understand the types of witnesses available. Read on to find out more about witnesses for personal injury accidents.

The Role of Lay Witnesses

A lay witness is a person without knowledge specific to personal injury cases, but their testimony may be just as important as that of an expert. Typically, a lay witness is a person who observed the accident or the moments before or after the injury occurred.

As the victim of an accident, you may testify at your trial. You will discuss your symptoms and injuries as well as any damages you face. When you have a jury ruling in the case, your legal advisor will help you build sympathetic witness testimony.

If you were in a car accident, passengers from your vehicle are important lay witnesses to call forward. Passengers will attest to the speed and direction each vehicle was traveling in addition to driver behavior.

If you cannot go to work, your witness could be an employee or manager who can testify that you are not able to perform the same tasks you use to.

A witness could also be linked to the individual or organization you are suing. The defendant might have admitted to this person he or she was negligent in the accident.

The Role of Expert Witness

An expert witness has specialized knowledge or experience in a topic related to the personal injury case. You can hire an expert to testify on your behalf in court.

Accident reconstruction experts are common witnesses in personal injury cases. These professionals can assess the scene of an accident and review police reports to discuss what may have happened. You can think of a reconstruction expert as a puzzle solver.

Medical specialists may also provide helpful testimony. Medical providers can testify regarding the injuries you have and whether or not the injuries are related to pre-existing conditions. If you are suing for work-related losses, the specialist will also discuss the length the injuries may last.

You might also call a vocational rehabilitation professional to testify in court. A professional in this industry can discuss the potential damages linked to lost wages in the past and future. The specialist will also discuss lost earning power.

One of the benefits of calling in expert witnesses is that they can use documentation, models, and computer images to report facts and opinions. The jury benefits from seeing visuals that support your case.

Additionally, an expert witness brings credibility to your side. When the jury hears the credentials of the witness, they will believe that this person is knowledgeable.

The Role of Personal Injury Attorneys

You should secure legal counsel when you pursue a personal injury case in court. Only a personal injury attorney can help you secure the appropriate witnesses to bolster your case.

Securing witnesses early on is crucial. If you wait too long, you risk a witness forgetting what they saw. You also risk running into the statute of limitations on personal injury cases if you don't act quickly. Legal professionals may require some time to find appropriate witnesses, so you can't wait.

Do you need help managing your personal injury case? Call the Law Offices of Burton J. Hass to learn more about your legal options. You can set up a consultation to get started.