Retaining an Expert for Motor Vehicle Accident Cases
MVA expert retention scales to injury severity. Soft-tissue cases may use a vocational expert alone; catastrophic cases typically use vocational, life care planning, and economic experts together.
Checklist
- Assess injury severity and damages magnitude
- Match expert mix to severity (vocational only for minor, full complement for catastrophic)
- Obtain complete medical records and any FCE
- Coordinate with orthopedic, neurological, or rehabilitation treating providers as relevant
Questions to ask the expert
- How does the injury mix affect your methodology?
- How do you handle chronic pain in vocational analysis?
- When do you recommend a life care plan for MVA cases?
Timeline
Reports are typically 30 to 60 days from receipt of complete records; catastrophic matters run longer.
Required documents
- Medical records, imaging, FCE
- Employment history
- Accident report and records
Common pitfalls
- Overscoping smaller cases with unnecessary experts
- Underscoping catastrophic cases by omitting life care planning
Frequently Asked Questions
Are MVA life care plans different?
Methodology is the same. Injury mix often blends orthopedic, neurological, and chronic pain elements, which the plan addresses in coordination with treating specialists.
References
- NHTSAGovernment
Ready to Get Started on motor vehicle accident cases?
Contact KWVRS to discuss scope, timing, and the deliverables appropriate to the matter. Plaintiff and defense.