How An Accident Reconstruction Expert Could Strengthen Your Claim
Determining fault for some car accidents can be achieved relatively easily by reviewing video footage, police reports, and eyewitness testimony. Many collisions, however, are a lot more difficult to assess, especially when multiple drivers were involved, all of whom may be saying something different about who caused the crash. In these cases, claimants can often benefit from the help of an accident reconstruction expert, who can review the evidence from the accident and use that data to create a model of the accident and ultimately, determine its cause.
Investigating the Accident
Car accident reconstruction experts specialize in the process of investigating crashes and using data to come up with conclusions about the cause of, and events that occurred during the collision. The first step of the accident reconstruction process requires an investigation, where experts assess the physical evidence from the crash. During the investigation the reconstruction specialist will:
- Visit the scene of the accident;
- Examine the cars involved in the crash;
- Collect visual evidence, like traffic videos and accident scene photos;
- Review the police reports and eyewitness statements;
- Examine physical evidence, like skid marks;
- Inspect the road surface; and
- Review crash test reports.
This data will eventually be used to reconstruct what happened during a specific crash.
Analyzing and Interpreting Accident Data
Once the necessary data has been collected, experts will have a better idea of the most critical details of the accident, including:
- Points of impact;
- Speed estimates;
- Where the vehicles came to rest;
- Occupant movements and ejections; and
- Vehicle movements.
Accident reconstruction experts will then input this information into special computer software programs that create models and second-by-second recreations of collisions. The resulting diagrams and simulations can act as clear and convincing evidence of the events that preceded and occurred during and after an accident, including the identity of the cause of the crash.
When Accident Reconstruction May be Necessary
An experienced car accident lawyer is often able to negotiate a settlement or win at trial without consulting an accident reconstruction expert. This kind of third party expertise could, however, be necessary in cases where:
- Evidence from the accident is difficult to obtain;
- The victim doesn’t recall the details of the crash due to the severity of his or her injuries;
- No eyewitnesses saw the accident occur;
- No security or traffic cameras captured the crash; or
- The crash involved multiple vehicles.
Whether your own case could benefit from the assistance of an expert will depend on the facts of your case. Call us today to learn more.
Reach Out to Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers Today
At Shiver Hamilton Campbell, our skilled lawyers have the resources and experience to build strong legal teams that give our clients the best chance of filing successful claims. Give our dedicated Marietta car accident attorneys the chance to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call our office at 404-593-0020 today to set up a free consultation with a member of our dedicated legal team. You can also reach us via online message.
Sources:
wellesleyma.gov/860/Accident-Reconstruction
sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073816301256
