In Georgia, personal injury cases are tried by jury. This system is designed to help you get the fairest trial possible, and in many ways it succeeds. However, juries are made up of regular people with no special knowledge about injuries, medical conditions or the law. This can make it hard to explain your claim—unless you have an expert witness.
An expert witness is simply a professional with a lot of specialized knowledge about some part of your case. Different court cases draw on all kinds of expert witnesses, from handwriting experts to fire investigators. In the context of a personal injury case, however, the most common expert witnesses are doctors and other medical professionals.
When the witness takes the stand, they will give expert testimony—their professional opinion on your condition. Expert testimony can help your case by:
- Proving that you have a real condition, or that your pain is every bit as bad as you say it is
- Helping jurors understand complicated medical concepts
- Explaining the kind of treatment you need, and why
Most importantly, expert testimony takes the focus off of “he said, he said” in the courtroom. It is no longer your word against the insurance company’s. Instead, a neutral third party who understands your injury is taking the stand and declaring that you are right. This is a very powerful moment in a trial—it would be no exaggeration to say that million-dollar cases have been won and lost because of one expert’s testimony.
When you hire a good personal injury lawyer, they will understand whether your case would benefit from expert testimony, and they will know reputable experts they can call to help.
Have you been injured? John Foy & Associates offers a free consultation with some of the most experienced and respected personal injury lawyers in Georgia. Fill out the form to your right or call us at 404-400-4000 to get your FREE consultation today.
