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Founding Member & Managing Partner at Gina Corena & Associates
Practice Areas: Personal Injury
A car accident can leave questions that the usual records alone can’t answer. An expert witness can look at those questions and explain what the evidence shows.
An expert may look at the crash, vehicle damage, medical records, injuries, or financial losses. A Las Vegas auto accident lawyer may bring in an expert when more detailed evidence is needed to support a claim.
Not every accident needs an expert. They are more common when fault is unclear, injuries are serious, or a claim involves large losses.
An expert witness is a professional with special training or experience in a certain field. They review the facts of a case and give an opinion about an issue that needs more explanation.
A regular witness can tell the court what they saw or heard. An expert can also explain what the evidence means.
For example, an accident reconstruction expert may study the vehicle damage, skid marks, and where the cars stopped. They can use those details to explain how the crash may have happened.
The type of expert used depends on the questions in the case.
|
Expert |
What they look at |
| Accident reconstruction expert | Crash details, vehicle damage, and impact points |
| Medical expert | Injuries, treatment, and future medical needs |
| Vocational expert | How an injury affects your ability to work |
| Economic expert | Lost income and other financial losses |
| Engineering expert | Vehicle defects, road problems, or safety issues |
A lawyer may use one expert or several, depending on the case.
An expert may be useful during settlement talks or a lawsuit. Whether you need one depends on what the claim questions.
Drivers may give different stories about how the crash happened. The insurance company may also try to put some of the blame on you.
An accident reconstruction expert can review things like:
Nevada uses modified comparative negligence under NRS 41.141. Your share of fault can reduce your compensation, and being more than 50% at fault can bar recovery.
Multi-car crashes can be harder to sort out. Learn more about proving fault in a multi-vehicle accident.
An insurance company may question whether the crash caused your injuries or how serious they are.
A medical expert can review:
The expert can explain how the crash relates to your injuries.
Some people have emotional or mental health problems after a serious crash. These may include anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress.
A psychologist or psychiatrist can review your condition and explain how the accident has affected your daily life. This can give more detail about injuries that cannot be seen in an X-ray or scan.
A serious injury can change the type of work you can do. Some people may need to reduce their hours, change jobs, or stop working altogether.
A vocational expert can look at your work history, skills, education, and physical limits. An economic expert can use that information to estimate future income losses.
An engineer or another qualified expert may look at:
Their findings may help show whether something other than driver behavior contributed to the crash.
An expert does not work from one piece of evidence alone. The opinion may be based on several records and details from the crash, including:
For example, video footage may show how the vehicles moved before the impact. Our guide on the role of surveillance footage in accident claims explains how this type of evidence can support a case.
The lawyer and expert can then use the available evidence to address the specific issue in dispute.
An expert looks at the facts of an accident and gives an opinion about a specific issue. They may help explain the crash, injuries, or financial losses.
No. Many claims do not need one. An expert may be useful when fault is unclear, injuries are serious, or the claim involves major financial losses.
The cost depends on the type of expert and the work involved. Your attorney can explain the expected costs and how they will be handled.
An expert does not decide who is legally at fault. They can review the evidence and explain what it shows about how the crash happened.
An expert may be brought in early when the case involves serious injuries, disputed fault, or complex evidence. Early review gives the attorney more time to use the findings.
A disputed accident claim can involve questions about fault, injuries, and the losses you are seeking. An attorney can review your case and determine whether expert testimony would add value.
The right expert can also help explain evidence that may be difficult for an insurance adjuster or jury to understand.
Call Gina Corena & Associates at (702) 359-7155, answered 24/7 in English and Spanish, or contact the firm online. Your consultation is free, and you pay no fee unless we win.
Reviewed by Gina M. Corena, founding attorney at Gina Corena & Associates.
As founder of Gina Corena & Associates, she is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the people who suffer life-changing personal injuries in car, truck and motorcycle accidents as well as other types of personal injury. Gina feels fortunate to serve the Nevada community and hold wrongdoers accountable for their harm to her clients.
