Accident reconstruction of a personal injury accident is needed in several different scenarios. Accident reconstructionists are used for personal injury cases, insurance fraud investigations, civil or criminal reconstruction, and proving or disproving an alibi.
The common factors to all scenarios are that there is disagreement on the cause of the accident and who or what was at fault.
What is involved with reconstructing an accident?
People who reconstruct accidents use a scientific approach to determine how and/or why an accident occurred. It is essential for any personal injury attorney to use experienced experts in the field of reconstruction engineering and physics.
Very often, an accident reconstructionist starts from the final portion of the accident and works his way forward. He notes the final vehicle resting position, accident scene evidence and vehicle damage. Using this methodology, he can scientifically analyze the data and determine such issues as speeds, collision severity, visibility, driver behavior and other important factors that may have caused the accident to occur.
Reconstructionists also depend upon such information as police reports and investigations, photographs of the accident scene and vehicle damage, statements given by witnesses, black boxes and any existing depositions.
The final product of an accident reconstruction is a report that can be used as expert testimony, either as part of settlement negotiations or in court.
How to choose a qualified accident reconstructionist
Once you have gathered all the information you have regarding a personal injury accident, you want to hire an expert in the field of accident reconstruction and physics. Other qualifications you might want to know about before hiring a reconstructionist include:
- Number of years of traffic accident reconstruction experience
- Number of investigations of on-scene traffic accidents
- What specific education and training on traffic accidents he has received
- Number of times his expert testimony was given in depositions and/or in court
- The types of certifications he has obtained. These should include Accreditation for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (A.C.T.A.R.), as well as a state issued Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
If you have any questions about accident reconstruction, give us a call at Group Matrix. Our staff of experienced marketers has worked with personal injury attorneys since 1977, and have vast knowledge on matters of personal injury accidents.
Group Matrix Blog – August 14, 2018 – by Sharon Bowles
