Auto Accident Reconstruction

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Paula Strand

 Accident Reconstruction

Accident reconstruction is a scientific method used to evaluate the circumstances of a traffic accident by working backwards at the scene. Some post-accident investigations require accident reconstruction analysis where liability is disputed. In many cases there are controversies about how fast the vehicle was traveling, the direction each vehicle was travelling, or which driver was at fault. Accident reconstructionists, specially trained people hired to determine most likely how the accident occurred, evaluate the scene by looking at skid marks, where the damage occurred on the vehicles, how deep the damage is, the road conditions, all in an attempt to uncover what most likely transpired at the time of the accident.

The process of reconstructing an accident scene is scientific and helps us to remove the mystery surrounding the accident . Accident Reconstructionists are highly technical, and skilled expert witnesses, and they rely on systematic testing of an extensive body of data. Accident reconstruction specialists rely on crash reports and videos of crash tested vehicles. The videos and follow up reports demonstrate the crush patterns that occur in various types of collisions. The typical reported data are then applied to accidents with similar fact patterns. Some specialists rely on computerized technology which provides a model of the roadway and its surface so it resembles the original conditions. Once the survey is brought into the reconstruction program, the accident scene can be simulated to include irregularities in the road surface to exactly recreate what happened at the time of the accident. Technology can be programmed to simulate a view point of both drivers involved in the accident.
 

In addition to the technology used in accident reconstruction, a professional reconstructionist conducts an investigation by first examining the actual scene of the accident by gathering evidence that may be critical to the outcome of the case. The investigator will usually examine the vehicle(s) to determine the overall damage and match those damages to the scene of the incident. Often investigators will conduct a speed analysis by starting at the final resting point and working their way back to the starting point. In the instance where the vehicle goes airborne an investigator will use a formula to calculate the speed that the car was traveling at the time of the crash, and to calculate the vehicle’s impact on the ground. There is also a slide formula used to determine a beginning and an end velocity speed at the beginning of the slide. The investigator will try to determine where the vehicle went out of control, where it went down, where impact occurred and where it finally came to rest. Pavement or ground markings should help determine this information. Investigators also look for tire marks. Tire marks can help determine what speed the vehicle was traveling. If there is “speckling” on the front tire it may be a sign of wheel lock-up or skidding.

Sometimes the investigator will bring the vehicle back to the scene of the accident and place it on the ground where the markings occurred to determine the position of the vehicle at each location. The investigator will then measure the vehicle and make sure to check whether the tires are fully inflated and if they are worn out or not. If a tire was flat before the accident occurred, the tire marks will be over deflective. The tire marks will be narrower. The investigator will also take into account whether the driver is an experienced driver or not.
Photographic evidence can be crucial to the case, but if the accident scene has changed since the incident, it calls into question whether the photos or videos are admissible. There is state of the art software and equipment that can change the subject area (accident scene) back to the original conditions,so getting the photos admitted into evidence becomes quite crucial.

Accident reconstruction is typically used when liability is disputed and the property damage is extensive. Hiring an expert to evaluate your large auto accident case should be done by seasoned lawyers who know when to hire an accident reconstructionist. Greenberg and Bederman, a lawfirm with a long standing reputation for excellence in accident law, has the knowledge and skills to review your accident case, and can determine when it is necessary to bring in an accident reconstructionist into your case.


 

To learn more about auto accident law, please click on auto accident lawyers.  If you want to learn about our auto accident lawyers, please click roger greenberg, andrew bederman, or jason fernandez.
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