Yourself as the Accident Victim
You are one of the most important witnesses in your personal injury trial. You will be able to provide first-hand information about what led to the accident, what happened during the accident, and what injuries you sustained. You should appear as a sympathetic figure the jury can relate to.
When you provide testimony, you can expect to answer questions about the speed of all the vehicles, whether or not there were any visibility issues at the time of the accident, what the traffic was like, and if you noticed any strange behavior from the other driver, such as stumbling or the appearance of intoxication.
Eyewitnesses to the Accident
If any eyewitnesses saw the accident, they should be called to testify. Different people could have seen different portions of the accident. For instance, one person may have seen the other driver speeding towards you, while another had a good view of the impact.
Other eyewitnesses may have noticed the other driver texting on his or her phone or seeming intoxicated. Eyewitness testimony is second to yourself when it comes to importance.
Your Family and Friends
Your family members and friends also will have good insight if they testify on your behalf. These people can provide information as to how the accident changed your life. For instance, your best friend may testify how you both used to athletically train together before your accident, and your injuries prevent you from that activity.
An Accident Reconstructionist
An accident reconstructionist is a person who will review the evidence from the accident and then recreate the scenario in which the accident occurred. The reconstructionist looks at police reports, photos of the scene, the traffic and weather conditions of the day, and other important information available.
He or she could also use expertise to determine how the speed of the vehicles had an impact on the accident. With this information, the accident reconstructionist will create a chart, computer model, or video of the accident and the scene afterward. This type of witness is especially crucial if you had no one witness the accident.
Your Doctor or Expert Medical Professionals
Your doctor and medical professionals can provide crucial testimony on your behalf with regard to your injuries. These witnesses can testify how your injuries were specific to the accident and were not the result of another activity or were preexisting. This testimony is especially useful when the insurance company implies your injuries were not caused by the driver they insure.
If your injuries result in a permanent disability, the medical testimony can explain your prognosis, symptoms, any therapies or surgeries you are going to need, and the like. They could also explain how you are no longer able to engage in certain activities as you once did.
If you need assistance with a personal injury case after a car accident, please contact the Law Offices of James B. Gillespie, Jr., PLLC.
