Have you ever been in a car accident and thought the insurance company was trying to lowball you on your claim? That’s where accident reconstruction comes in. Knowing how to prove exactly what happened by analyzing skid marks, damage, and more can make all the difference in getting the settlement you deserve.
In this article, our Greenville accident reconstruction experts will walk you through what this process entails and why it’s so important in insurance claim cases.
What Is Accident Reconstruction?
Accident reconstruction essentially refers to the process of investigating a car crash to determine how and why it happened. Experts analyze physical evidence from the accident scene, vehicle damage, and debris, along with eyewitness accounts and police reports. The goal is to recreate the events leading up to and during the collision.
How Does the Reconstruction Process Work?
Once the initial evidence has been collected at the accident scene, the real work begins for the accident reconstruction specialist. The specialist will review police reports, photographs, witness statements, and physical evidence like skid marks to try and piece together what happened.
Using complex physics and engineering principles, they calculate things like speed, angle of impact, and force of collision. Any small detail could be important, so the analysis process is very meticulous. Advanced simulation software allows the specialist to recreate the accident digitally in 3D.
Evidence Used During Accident Reconstruction
Accident reconstructionists rely on several types of evidence to determine how and why a crash occurred. By analyzing all available data, they can piece together a sequence of events and identify factors that contributed to the accident.
Physical Evidence at the Scene
Skid marks on the road show where the vehicles started braking before impact and can indicate their speed and direction of travel. Broken glass, vehicle parts, and other debris help pinpoint the area of impact and the forces involved. Damage to the vehicles themselves provides clues to collision angles and intensities. Road conditions like potholes or ice may have caused or exacerbated the crash.
Electronic Data and Recordings
Many vehicles now have “black boxes” that record key data like speed, braking, and airbag deployment right before a crash. Surveillance cameras, dashcams, and eyewitness videos/photos offer visual evidence of how events unfolded.
Eyewitness Accounts
Witness statements provide firsthand observations of the accident sequence, timing, road conditions, and other factors. Their accounts can support or contradict other evidence. Multiple witness reports may be needed to develop an accurate picture of a complex crash.
Official Reports
Police accident reports contain diagrams, details, and determinations of fault that are crucial to reconstruction. Medical records show the types and severity of injuries, which can indicate the forces involved based on the location and extent of damage to the vehicles. Weather data provides context on environmental conditions at the time of the crash.
Why Hire a Reconstruction Specialist?
Accident reconstruction specialists offer an objective, scientific assessment of what caused a collision. They have the expertise and tools to analyze the physical evidence from the scene to determine how the events unfolded. Their findings are based on facts, not opinions or guesses. Insurance companies and legal teams rely on these specialists to provide an impartial analysis of liability and fault.
Recreating the Sequence of Events
In serious accidents, witness accounts can differ or be unreliable. Reconstruction experts are trained to analyze all available data to determine the most likely sequence of events. They consider details like skid marks, debris fields, damage to vehicles, and witness statements. Using computer simulations, they can recreate how the vehicles moved during impact and rollovers.
Strengthening Your Case
The findings of an accident reconstruction specialist can strengthen the case of an injured claimant or defendant. Their analysis identifies who is at fault by determining the cause-and-effect relationship between actions and outcomes.
Get Help From an Accident Reconstruction Specialist in Greenville!
Doing your accident investigation while also healing from injuries is nearly impossible and extremely stressful. An experienced accident reconstruction firm like Upstate Private Investigators has the resources and expertise to handle every aspect of your case so you can direct your energy to recovery. They’ll deal directly with insurance companies and lawyers on your behalf and keep you informed of any developments.
Call us today at (864) 671-4040 for a free case review!