Wrongful Death Legal Glossary E

Enhancements: Those factors that can operate to increase the punishment in a drunk driving, DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, or related driving under the influence case. These enhancements may include driving above a certain speed while DUI, having minors in the car while drunk driving, having a BAC above a certain level (.20, for example), refusing to take a chemical test after being arrested for DUI, being involved in a traffic accident while DUI or DWI, or having prior convictions for DUI, DWI, or a related drunk driving offense.

Exculpatory Evidence: Evidence that the District Attorney may possess that could establish your innocence.

Expert Witnesses: Expert witnesses are individuals trained in some particular specialty, such as medicine, engineering, accident reconstruction, or economics. By virtue of this training they are qualified to render “expert opinions” or “expert testimony” regarding the facts of a case. Some expert witnesses may have had direct involvement in the personal injury case prior to the beginning of a lawsuit, such as a treating physician (who directly provided medical care to an injured person) or a police officer at a traffic accident scene who has been trained in accident reconstruction (although very few officers actually have more than minimal training in this specialty). Most expert witnesses, however, are hired by one side or the other in a personal injury case for the purpose of analyzing complex information that falls within their area of expertise. Expert witnesses may be vital to a personal injury case’s successful conclusion, especially in cases where the facts are highly disputed or particularly complicated. As personal injury attorneys gain experience in their specialty, they will become more and more familiar with whom the most qualified and respected expert witnesses are.