To examine the underlying psychological principles and implications of juror skepticism toward expert testimony, Claims' Christina Bramlet enlisted the expertise of Steven M. Gursten (michiganautolaw.com), who is recognized as one of the nation's top experts in serious auto accident injury cases and auto insurance no-fault litigation. Gursten spoke candidly about how claim adjusters and lawyers can prevent juror misconceptions from sabotaging viable cases.
Why are juries leery of experts on the stand?
The problem goes well beyond skepticism. How claim adjusters and lawyers look at experts versus how jurors look at them is completely different. Jurors do not wait until the close of all of the evidence to start deciding which side in a case should win. Our brain doesn't work this way. The brain begins processing information and starts to address the side of the story that seems more likely almost immediately after a trial begins. Of course, this contradicts the expectation judges have for jurors to listen to all evidence before deciding which side is correct.
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