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Category: Personal Injury

5 Qualities That Make a Great Expert Witness

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5 Qualities That Make a Great Expert Witness

In some cases, it is a good idea to have an expert witness testify in order to help explain an idea to the jury. But in many cases, expert witness testimony is an absolute necessity; there are situations where a decision in the plaintiff’s favor would not be valid unless key issues were established by the testimony of an expert witness. Given the importance of experts, here are few tips on what to look for in an expert witness.

What to look for in an expert witness

  1. Credentials in an area that will be helpful for the jury. An expert needs to have specialized experience, skill, or training in an area that is outside the scope of knowledge of the average juror. But, importantly, the testimony must assist the trier of fact so it should not simply restate arguments the attorneys will be making in closing arguments.
  2. Composure under pressure. Opposing counsel will try to undermine the expert’s authority and/or conclusions in deposition and at trial. A great witness will stay calm in these situations and even turn the attacks into opportunities to further explain their methodology and conclusions.
  3. Appearance of independence. The best expert witnesses still practice in the field of their expertise. They also offer testimony on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. Experts who spend most of their time consulting as witnesses and only testify for either plaintiffs or defendants often lack credibility in the eyes of jurors.
  4. Presents well in front of a jury. Jurors pick up on seemingly minor details and it can influence their opinions of those testifying. It might be a dishevelled tie, a nervously tapping finger, or some other seemingly trivial thing, but jurors often form negative opinions based on these signs.
  5. Compatibility as part of the team. An expert witness needs to be able to communicate effectively with the client’s attorney. Working style and personality are both factors that affect how compatible the expert is with the team and, as a result, how prepared they will be.

Working with an expert witness in NY personal injury cases

Retaining an effective expert witness is an exercise in balance and judgment. An experienced personal injury lawyer draws on a bank of professional knowledge in selecting the ideal witness. For example, an expert who has vast academic experience, like a professor, may not have much experience testifying and handling attacks from opposing counsel. An expert who testifies often may appear to be a “hired gun” who parrots whatever opinion benefits the client.

Aronova & Associates know what it takes to prove a personal injury claim. For 10 years, we have fought for the rights of personal injury victims and we have the resources and knowledge to enlist the best expert witnesses for the job. We work with a team of experts in our Garden City and Manhattan offices to make sure they are prepared to help put on your best case.

Call today to speak with a New York personal injury lawyer at Aronova & Associates.

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Aronova & Associates is a firm for all New Yorkers. Our services are available in multiple languages and tailored to the needs of every client.  The first step in providing you with the help you need is a free consultation to discuss your case. When you’re ready to talk, we’re ready to get to work for you.

 

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Meeting Your Personal Injury Lawyer For The First Time What You Should Bring

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Meeting Your Personal Injury Lawyer for the First Time? What You Should Bring

So you or a loved one has been injured in an accident. You may be feeling overwhelmed thinking about what comes next, confused by the legal process, and still trying to recover physically, financially, and emotionally. The good news is that the personal injury attorneys at Aronova & Associates offer a free consultation where you can find out if we’re a good fit for you and learn about your legal options.

Here are a few tips to get the most out of your first meeting with a personal injury attorney.

Gather important information as soon as possible

For your attorney to be able to give you complete and accurate advice, take some time to prepare before the meeting by gathering documents and other information.

Your attorney will appreciate receiving the following documents:

  • A copy of the accident report
  • Photographs of the scene
  • Medical bills and other documented expenses, including ambulance, emergency room, pharmacy, and other related charges
  • Hospital discharge papers and physician treatment summaries
  • Correspondence from insurance companies regarding the claim
  • Proof of lost wages
  • Estimates to repair damaged property

In addition, gather any other information that will help your attorney piece together a timeline of events and a plan to prove your claims in court. This includes:

  • Details of the accident, including time and address, as well as details on where you received medical treatment and the name of an ambulance company that transported you
  • Contact information for others involved in the accident
  • Contact information for any witnesses
  • Names and company affiliations for any insurance adjusters with whom you spoke

Questions to ask your personal injury lawyer

Keep in mind that you have the right to choose your attorney. The initial meeting is a chance for you to make sure you and your attorney are a good fit.

Do not be afraid to ask your attorney questions like:

  • How long have you been in practice?
  • How many personal injury cases have you handled and what is your success rate?
  • Will you personally work on my case or assign it to someone else in the firm?
  • How long will the case take?
  • Do you charge an hourly rate, a fixed rate, or on a contingency basis?
  • Why types of experts will you work with to prove the case?

Speak with a NY personal injury attorney

When working through the aftermath of a personal injury, it pays to have a skilled and experienced New York personal injury lawyer on your side.

The team at Aronova & Associates has a decade of experience litigating personal injury claims in state and district courts, so we understand what battles NYC personal injury plaintiffs face. We put our knowledge and experience to work for you and representation is on a contingency basis – you do not pay us unless we win your case.

If you believe someone else is at fault for your injury, call today to schedule a free consultation in our Garden City or Manhattan offices.

Contact Us

Ready to Work for You

Aronova & Associates is a firm for all New Yorkers. Our services are available in multiple languages and tailored to the needs of every client.  The first step in providing you with the help you need is a free consultation to discuss your case. When you’re ready to talk, we’re ready to get to work for you.

 

Phone

(516) 640-3900

Hours

Mon - Fri 9 AM to 6 PM

Social Media

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Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Disclaimer: The submission of our contact form does not form an attorney-client relationship. You may not rely upon this information as legal advice.

3 Biggest Hurdles to Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit on Your Own

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3 Biggest Hurdles to Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit on Your Own

If you have been injured in a court case, it is possible to file a personal injury lawsuit on your own behalf. Doing so means that you represent yourself in court and negotiate for any settlement.

However, there are drawbacks to filing a personal injury lawsuit yourself. Here are the biggest hurdles you might face.

1. Complexity of Filing a Suit

Filing a lawsuit of any type is a complex and time-consuming procedure. There are different courts for different types of offences (civil and criminal), multiple jurisdictions, and multiple requirements about what needs to be filed to begin, continue, and negotiate a lawsuit.

There are statutes of limitations, after which a suit cannot be filed. For personal injury cases in New York State, the statute of limitations is three years. You need to have a knowledge of the court system, the law, and its requirements to successfully file a personal injury claim.

2. Aggressive Tactics by the Other Party

If you are filing a personal injury claim, you are accusing another entity of behavior making them liable for your injuries and often asking them to compensate you for damages. If the negligent behavior is clear and you have proof of it, and the damages reasonable, it may not be tremendously difficult to obtain justice.

But it may not be easy, either. The law requires that, for an entity to be liable for the injuries of another, they need to have been responsible for a condition, known that a condition was unsafe, and had time to make it safe. A landlord who knows his parking lot was icy, for example, is responsible for making it safe to walk on, should have known the conditions were icy, and should have de-iced it so it was safe to walk on.

But what if the landlord argues that the parking lot had become icy and dangerous just 15 minutes before you slipped and broke your leg? He could argue that he was in the process of sending crews to salt the area. A jury might interpret that as a reasonable defense. The responsible party had not had reasonable time to fix the situation. The defendant may be ruled not guilty.

The defendant may also argue that the damages you’re asking for are unreasonable. Suppose you broke your leg and are asking for damages to pay for medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An opposing party could argue that you could have worked with a broken leg and did not experience pain and suffering.

3. Knowing What Damages to Demand

Another hurdle can be knowing what damages to claim. Some are equivalent to your costs, such as medical bills. Others, such as pain and suffering and even lost wages, can be much more complicated. It may be possible to ask for punitive damages if the injury was caused by egregious circumstances.

When You Need an Attorney in New York City or Long Island

The good news is that prudent and experienced counsel from Aronova & Associates are ready and available to represent you on a contingency basis — that means you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Why not leverage our decades of knowledge and skill in your favor?

Aronova & Associates offer legal representation to New York State residents who have been personally injured by the actions of another person or organization. We fight to see that justice is done.

Call us today for a complimentary consultation about your personal injury.

Contact Us

Ready to Work for You

Aronova & Associates is a firm for all New Yorkers. Our services are available in multiple languages and tailored to the needs of every client.  The first step in providing you with the help you need is a free consultation to discuss your case. When you’re ready to talk, we’re ready to get to work for you.

 

Phone

(516) 640-3900

Hours

Mon - Fri 9 AM to 6 PM

Social Media

Facebook Instagram Linkedin

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Disclaimer: The submission of our contact form does not form an attorney-client relationship. You may not rely upon this information as legal advice.