Not all car accidents present a clear at-fault party. Disputes often occur because liable parties tend to avoid costly legal action. Especially in cases involving multiple drivers and entities, it can be a battle of whose version of what happened appears most believable.
So, an accident reconstruction, which is a branch of causation forensics, provides an objective perspective by reconciling the gaps between existing physical evidence and potentially inconsistent statements. Using math, science and engineering to analyze proof, it recreates a collision to establish the events before, during or after the crash.
Then, a reconstruction specialist draws conclusions based on the evidence they find at the scene, which can help strengthen a claim.
Putting the pieces together
A Federal Highway Administration study recognizes that no two incidents are the same. In most cases, however, a reconstruction specialist does not arrive immediately to investigate and preserve the evidence they need. They often rely on first responders to keep the area uncompromised until such time that they have gathered the following information:
- Tire marks and other impact marks on the pavement
- Positions of affected vehicles and people
- Event data recorders or “black boxes”
- Debris, such as broken metal car parts or glass fragments
- Environmental elements, such as weather and lighting conditions, and warning signs
With these data, they can compute vital details, such as the speed and angle of impact. By extension, these calculations can help identify who did what exactly. Ultimately, it can address factual errors and present accurate results before an Indiana judge.
Completing the puzzle can establish fault
A reconstruction specialist can also testify in court to explain and break down how a crash has unfolded. Their testimony can be the final piece to the puzzle that highlights crucial nuances, such as faulty brakes or poor road visibility, which may not have been in the police report. The victim’s legal team can use their testimony to pursue damages to pay for hospital bills and other losses.