In a wrongful death lawsuit, proving what happened and who’s responsible often requires more than attorney argument alone. To establish liability, causation of an injury, or causation of death, attorneys frequently need to bring in expert witnesses.
Expert witnesses can be the difference between a successful claim and an unsuccessful one.
- Expert witnesses provide technical knowledge, credibility, and clear explanations that help judges and juries understand exactly what happened and who bears responsibility.
- Attorneys use experts to prove product failures, reconstruct accidents, and establish the cause of death.
- When evaluating attorneys, ask directly about their use of experts – it signals how seriously they will pursue your case.
Product Malfunction Experts
When a product doesn’t work as intended, the consequences can be serious, and expert analysis is often key in proving wrongful death or liability. For example, we handled a case where a surgical product malfunctioned, causing severe damage to a patient’s organs.
We then brought in a highly regarded expert from out of state who specialized in that specific product. They explained how the product was designed to function, demonstrated how it failed during the surgery, and helped prove liability for the resulting injury.
Accident Reconstruction Technology
Another aspect of presenting a strong death claim is using technology to show what happened, such as in motor vehicle accidents. We have established relationships with a few different firms around the country that specialize in this technology, allowing us to demonstrate how an accident occurred and support client cases.
Modern accident reconstruction increasingly relies on advanced documentation methods. For example, terrestrial laser scanning allows for 3D documentation of accident scenes safely, quickly, and flexibly, without requiring lane closures or traffic interruptions. A single operator can even use the instrument in complete darkness or direct sunlight.
Experts will use drones to shoot from above the scene of an accident, collect data from the vehicles’ black boxes, and then digitally recreate the crash in what’s called a visualization. It’s remarkable, as they can recreate the accident by showing a vehicle rolling over and even demonstrating movement of persons within the vehicle during the accident.
The Power of Visualization
This type of visualization is extremely valuable when strategizing how to prove wrongful death to defense attorneys and insurance representatives during settlement negotiations.
Research shows that close-range photogrammetry is now being adopted in traffic accident reconstruction, primarily because of the greatly reduced on-scene time which leads to shorter periods of traffic disruption, and the fact that a permanent visual record is obtained that allows 3D measurements to be made at any time.
Ultimately, in front of a jury, being able to show this video and visualization helps jurors understand the accident far better than testimony alone. It clearly demonstrates what happened and why someone is responsible for a crash.
Why Expert Testimony Matters
If you’re interviewing prospective attorneys after losing a loved one, ask them directly about how they use experts to prove a case. The answer will tell you a lot about how they’ll handle yours.
- Do you have a network of expert witnesses you work with regularly?
- Have you used accident reconstruction technology in past cases?
- Can you explain how you’ve used expert testimony to prove causation?
- What types of experts would apply to my specific case?
The Difference Expert Testimony Makes
In complex wrongful death cases, expert witnesses can be the difference between a successful claim and an unsuccessful one. They provide the technical knowledge, credibility, and clear explanations that help judges and juries understand exactly what happened and who bears responsibility.
According to federal evidence rules, an intelligent evaluation of facts is often difficult or impossible without the application of some scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge, which is why expert witnesses qualified by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education may testify to help the trier of fact understand evidence or determine facts in issue.
From product design specialists to accident reconstruction professionals using cutting-edge drone and black box technology, these experts transform complex evidence into compelling narratives.
Contact Our Attorneys for Help Proving Wrongful Death
Experts help show why something happened and are key in proving wrongful death in a claim. If you’re wondering how to prove wrongful death after losing a loved one, our team is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your case and what steps you can take next.