Accident scene investigators can recreate the events that lead to an accident. For this reason, truck accident reconstruction is critical for determining fault and other facts of the accident. It can also greatly benefit an injured person pursuing a compensation claim.
By using the services of an accident reconstructionist, a personal injury attorney can add expert testimony to support your case. A good accident investigator has years of experience and a toolbox full of science to bring to your claim or lawsuit, and this is difficult to refute.
What Truck Accident Reconstruction Can Show Us
Suppose you hire a personal injury attorney after a truck accident. In that case, they are very likely to bring in a truck accident reconstruction specialist. By reconstructing the accident, much information can be discovered, including:
- Could the accident have been prevented?
- Were both drivers following the rules of the road?
- How fast were they traveling?
- Were they moving in the same or opposite directions?
- Were there conditions that contributed to the accident?
- Was human error involved?
- Was faulty equipment involved?
A forensic specialist uses tools, engineering, mathematics, physics, and observation to figure out exactly how an accident occurred. Weather and road conditions combined with other scientifically-backed findings can help them to determine liability.
For a free legal consultation, call (404) 888-8888
Truck Accidents FAQs
How Do Construction Site Conditions Contribute to Truck Accidents?How Are Construction Truck Accident Cases Handled Differently from Other Truck Accidents?What Are the Specific Regulations for Construction Trucks in Georgia?How Can I Prove a Construction Truck Was Overloaded at the Time of the Accident?What Should I Do if the Construction Truck Company Denies Responsibility?What Role Does Maintenance History Play in Construction Truck Accident Claims?How does Accident Reconstruction Affect an Injury Case?
By analyzing the results of an investigation, it is possible to determine the cause of an accident. In many cases, this information can prove an injury claim by establishing fault or negligence.
In cases where there may not be video evidence or witnesses, accident reconstruction plays a vital role. With a very slight margin of error, it can show how the accident progressed. Some investigators use computer programs that can digitally recreate the accident as a visual reference. (Shanghai University of Engineering Science)
Between testimony from the accident investigator and the facts they uncover, they can present your case even if you can’t remember much about it. Suppose an insurance company is fighting against paying your claim. In that case, an accident investigator can assist in proving how serious your injuries are.
What If the Investigator Can’t Get to the Scene?
In some situations, an investigator cannot go to the actual scene of an accident. However, they can still reconstruct what took place.
They can use photographs from the scene, information from the police report, and photos of the vehicles. By studying this information, they can determine impact points, the approximate speed of the vehicles and their direction of travel, and other factors helpful in recreating the accident.
What an Accident Investigation Involves
An accident investigator must have a lot of knowledge in various areas. They use that base knowledge to put together all the pertinent factors that were in play on the date of the accident. Some of the things an accident investigator analyzes are:
Traffic Patterns
An investigator will look at the road or intersection where the accident occurred. They look for hazards that may include:
- Missing road signs
- Blind spots created by overgrown foliage
- Awkward traffic patterns
- Unclear or unmarked lanes
They will observe how other drivers navigate the area to detect any patterns that may have contributed to the accident.
Weather at the Time of the Accident
By checking the weather conditions, they will determine if atmospheric conditions may have played a role in causing or worsening the accident.
General Road Conditions
Some roads are less adequately maintained. The general condition of a road can cause or increase the severity of an accident. Potholes, loose gravel, uneven pavement, and poorly marked surfaces can all make an accident worse.
Vehicle Size Differences
The size difference between a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck can make a massive difference in the severity of an accident. Larger vehicles have a longer braking distance, more weight, and more applied force when impacting a smaller object. The size plays a role in causing damage to the other vehicle and injuries to occupants.
Estimated Speed
By recreating an accident, a forensic analyst can triangulate skid marks, tire paths, and resting positions to determine the speed a vehicle was traveling at the time of impact.
Tread Paths and Skid Marks
Tire paths and skid marks help an investigator determine the direction of travel. They can also tell if a driver applied the vehicle’s brakes before impact. If either driver attempted to avoid the accident, it would be visible in the scene’s tire paths and skid marks.
Computer Systems
Vehicles often tell their own tale. These days, most vehicles have an onboard computer system. One of the perks of this technology is that it records everything about what a car or truck does during a crash.
The onboard computer would know if the accident was caused or worsened by faulty equipment. An investigator can use the computer reading during the reconstruction process.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Does Your Personal Injury Case Need Accident Reconstruction?
That depends on the individual circumstances of your claim. If you have an injury attorney who recommends bringing in a specialist, it will probably help your case.
If you are curious about how a truck accident reconstruction may help your case, contact Bader Scott Injury Lawyers. Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers can answer your questions about personal injury claims, truck accidents, and accident reconstruction. Get started today with a free consultation.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
