When should I retain an economist in an auto accident case?

Retain when lost wages extend beyond a few months, when the plaintiff cannot return to their prior occupation, when self-employment income is disputed, or when opposing counsel has retained an economist. Early retention helps set discovery targets for tax returns and employment records.

How are economic damages handled when the plaintiff had a pre-existing injury?

Economists distinguish accident-caused loss from pre-existing conditions using medical evidence and earnings history before and after the prior injury. The analysis may apportion loss or address aggravation per counsel's causation theory. Vocational and medical experts support the economic assumptions.

Motor Vehicle Collision Economic Damages

Quantifying wage and capacity loss from auto, truck, and motorcycle injuries.

Motor vehicle collisions are among the most common retentions for forensic economists. Injuries range from soft tissue with temporary work absence to catastrophic trauma causing permanent disability. Economic damages depend on the plaintiff's occupation, earnings history, and post-accident employability.

Economists establish pre-accident earnings from tax and payroll records, project but-for income over work-life expectancy, and model post-accident earnings given medical restrictions and vocational options.

Disputes frequently involve pre-existing conditions, gap periods before returning to work, and whether the plaintiff mitigated by accepting available employment. Uber, delivery drivers, and gig workers present self-employment income documentation challenges addressed through tax returns and platform records.

Network experts serve both plaintiff and defense counsel in state and federal courts. Reports address FRE 702 reliability with BLS/OEWS occupational data and documented earnings history.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I retain an economist in an auto accident case?: Retain when lost wages extend beyond a few months, when the plaintiff cannot return to their prior occupation, when self-employment income is disputed, or when opposing counsel has retained an economist. Early retention helps set discovery targets for tax returns and employment records.
How are economic damages handled when the plaintiff had a pre-existing injury?: Economists distinguish accident-caused loss from pre-existing conditions using medical evidence and earnings history before and after the prior injury. The analysis may apportion loss or address aggravation per counsel's causation theory. Vocational and medical experts support the economic assumptions.

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