What accident reconstruction experts can reveal in complex injury cases
Accident reconstruction can answer questions the police report can’t, such as vehicle speed, who braked and when, and where the impact occurred. Reconstructing accident scenes allows these professionals to determine whether the accident was avoidable and where the blame lies.
Millions of people get injured in car accidents each year. In cases where people are seriously injured, the expert witness testimony from accident reconstruction specialists can make the difference between unpayable bills and fair compensation.
The Data Already in the Vehicle
According to AAA Exchange, about 95% of modern cars are fitted with a “black box” – an Event Data Recorder (EDR) more typically associated with jumbo jets than passenger vehicles. EDRs capture the final seconds before an impact occurs.
They must capture 15 data points, including:
- Speed
- Acceleration
- Braking
This information is one of the factors accident reconstruction specialists use in their injury case analysis. It helps them understand the decisions that led up to the point of impact.
Reading the Scene
Data is important, but it’s only one element of an accident reconstruction specialist’s work. Reconstructing accident scenes also includes working backwards, using the following physical evidence to understand the crash:
- Skid marks
- Gouge patterns
- Debris distribution
- Vehicle crush profiles
Modern accident investigation techniques allow experts to build a clear picture of what happened in the moments before a collision. These techniques include 3D laser scanning, drone photogrammetry, and surveying software.
These advanced programs are able to use photographs of the crash scene to produce a measurable model of the accident scene. This is critical because it is impractical to keep roads closed for hours to allow forensic accident analysis to happen at the scene.
The Role of Accident Reconstruction in Personal Injury Cases
Accident reconstruction can minimize he said/she said debates in serious personal injury cases, often ones that involved life-changing injuries and potentially sizeable payouts. Forensic accident analysis can help address the following:
- Impact and pre-impact speed of each vehicle
- Whether braking or evasive steering happened
- Point of impact and post-impact travel
- Sight lines and available reaction time
- Whether injuries match the accident
- Whether the collision was avoidable
The final point is important if liability hinges on whether the accident was avoidable rather than who hit whom.
Meeting the Standard for Admissible Evidence
In December 2023, Federal Rule of Evidence 702 was updated to make clear that the party offering expert witness testimony must show, more likely than not, that it rests on sufficient data and a reliably applied methodology. So lawyers must ensure that accident reconstruction specialists only use data and techniques that meet this standard; otherwise, their findings may be inadmissible.
If you’re thinking of hiring a law firm, don’t rely on recommendations alone. Read more about the firm and its strengths to understand if it is the right fit for your case.
Boost Your Chances of Success With Accident Reconstruction
When handled correctly by a reputable firm, accident reconstruction can give complex personal injury cases a stronger chance of success. The latest advances in technology can paint an accurate picture of what really happened, which can have more weight than traditional forms of evidence.
For more insights into the latest advances in the legal field, check out our other blogs today!
