- May 15, 2024
If you’ve been in a more serious car accident and are having a hard time getting the insurance company to pay your claim, one of the key things to consider is to hire an accident reconstruction expert. These professionals piece together what really happened by analyzing skid marks, damage to the vehicles, and more.
Their expert analysis, in the hands of the right Buffalo car crash lawyer, can make or break your injury claim and get you the compensation you deserve.
1. Determining Fault
Accident reconstructionists will visit the accident scene to examine skid marks left by the vehicles involved. By measuring the skid marks, they can calculate the speed the vehicles were traveling before braking. They’ll also thoroughly analyze the damage to all vehicles to determine the angle and speed of impact. These details help paint a picture of how the accident unfolded.
They also consider all the available evidence to determine the sequence of events leading up to the collision. They may create diagrams or simulations to visually demonstrate how the crash occurred. Their findings can help establish which driver was negligent or violated traffic laws and, therefore, bears the majority or entirety of fault for the accident.
2. Establishing Timeline
With a clear timeline of how the events unfolded, it’s easier to determine who’s at fault. Let’s say another driver ran a red light and t-boned your vehicle in an intersection. Eyewitness accounts and traffic camera footage can prove that you had the right of way, substantiating your claim that the other driver caused the accident.
On the other hand, if the evidence shows you were speeding or distracted, it may weaken your case. While it can be unpleasant to face facts that contradict your account of events, an accurate reconstruction gives you the best chance of a fair settlement. In some cases, the timeline also reveals additional liable parties.
3. Recreating the Accident
Recreating an accident helps determine how the crash unfolded and who may be at fault. Accident reconstructionists use forensic techniques to examine physical evidence like skid marks, debris patterns, and vehicle damage. They then use physics and computer modeling to simulate how factors like speed, road conditions, and reaction times influenced the crash.
Computer Modeling
Computer programs can simulate the movements of vehicles involved in the accident based on data like photos, measurements, and eyewitness accounts. These 3D animations show how the vehicles collided and often reveal clues about speed, angles of impact, and which driver may have been at fault.
Physical Reconstruction
In some cases, reconstructionists will stage a controlled physical recreation of the crash using the actual vehicles involved. They accelerate the vehicles to the estimated speeds of the accident and collide with them to analyze the resulting damage.
4. Identifying Contributing Factors
Accident reconstructionists are also responsible for identifying other contributing actors to the crash, including:
Road Conditions
Road conditions at the time of an accident play an important role in accident reconstruction. Factors like poor lighting, obstructed views, potholes, or debris in the roadway could have caused or contributed to the collision. By examining police reports, witness statements, and the accident scene, investigators can determine if road conditions were a factor and who may be liable.
Visibility Issues
Visibility is another key factor accident reconstruction experts consider. If visibility was poor due to heavy rain, fog, or darkness, it may have prevented drivers from seeing obstacles, traffic signs, or other vehicles in time to avoid a crash. Reconstructing how visibility issues impacted the drivers’ line of sight and ability to perceive hazards can help determine liability.
Mechanical Failures
A vehicle malfunction or defect could also contribute to an accident. Accident reconstructionists work to identify any mechanical failures, like brake failure, tire blowouts, or steering/suspension issues, that may have caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. If a defect is found, the vehicle manufacturer may share some liability.
A Buffalo Car Crash Lawyer Can Explain How Accident Reconstruction Works
Our team of experienced Buffalo car accident lawyers understands the complexities of reconstructing an accident to determine fault and identify factors that contributed to the crash. We can evaluate your case, identify witnesses, inspect vehicles and the accident scene, review police reports, and assess all other evidence to build a strong claim.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in Buffalo or the surrounding areas, call our firm today at (716) 261-2614 to schedule a free initial consultation. We will carefully review the details of your case and advise you on the best options moving forward to maximize your compensation.
