Expert witnesses are frequently used in civil lawsuits and criminal prosecutions to explain complicated concepts to juries or persuade juries that evidence is relevant and important to the case. Anyone interested in working as an automotive expert witness should have a combination of education and experience in the industry. What qualifications are required to become an automotive expert witness will vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific issue within the automotive field that the witness intends to testify about.
In a civil trial for or against an automotive manufacturer in a negligence or product liability lawsuit, an automotive expert may be called upon to testify. In a criminal prosecution, on the other hand, an automotive expert may be required to testify about issues such as how a car performs during a pursuit or whether a vehicle shows signs of forced entry, among other things. The requirements to become an automotive expert witness may vary due to the wide range of possible reasons for the expert’s testimony.
An advanced degree in automotive engineering or something similar will almost certainly be required to become an automotive expert witness in a civil trial for negligence or product liability. For example, in a civil lawsuit based on design or manufacturing defects, the testimony of someone with a high level of knowledge about how the automobile was designed and manufactured is required. A potential expert should have a significant amount of experience in the field, preferably with supervisory experience, in addition to a master’s or doctorate degree in engineering.
An advanced degree in engineering is unlikely to be required if a potential automotive expert witness is called to testify about more practical aspects of a vehicle. Instead, someone who wants to be an automotive expert witness for more practical aspects of a vehicle should be a certified mechanic with a significant amount of experience in the field. When attempting to qualify as an expert witness, supervisory experience is always beneficial.
Individual courts in the United States decide who can testify as an expert witness on a case-by-case basis and witness-by-witness basis. The judge will usually want to hear from the potential witness about his or her educational background and work experience. In addition, before making a decision, most courts want to hear some indication that the potential witness is regarded as an expert by his or her peers.