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What is Accident Reconstruction, and Does it Help?

What is Accident Reconstruction, and Does it Help?

When car accidents occur, it’s not uncommon for there to be multiple different stories about what happened. Unfortunately, your car accident claim could be negatively affected without accurate knowledge of what happened. 

When you file a claim after a Kentucky car accident to recover compensation for your injuries and other damages, your attorney and others involved will need to know precisely what happened to ensure the right party is held accountable and settlements are properly awarded. 

So, when there are arguments about what happened or if there is missing information, accident reconstructionists might be brought in to help answer questions. But what is accident reconstruction exactly, and can it genuinely help with a car accident claim? 

Let’s take a look. 

What is Accident Reconstruction?

Accident reconstruction is the process of applying forensic investigative techniques to determine what happened during a motor vehicle accident. It is an area of investigation that utilizes engineering, physics, mathematics, photogrammetry, simulations, and computations to essentially reconstruct the accident to get a better idea of what happened. 

The process of accident reconstruction typically begins with evaluating the police report. From there, the specialists will inspect all aspects of the accident, using special tools and equipment to survey and recreate a diagram of what happened. This can include looking closely at the vehicles that were damaged, other property damage, and evidence at the accident site, such as skid marks and final resting positions of the vehicles involved. 

If available, the investigators will download data from the vehicle Event Data Recorders (EDRs), which can provide information such as:

  • Date and time of airbag deployment
  • Vehicle speed
  • Change in velocity
  • Acceleration
  • Brake application
  • Seatbelt usage
  • Engine speed
  • Roll angle
  • Steering wheel angle
  • Gear selection
  • Tire pressure
  • And more

The process also includes examining the environment and road conditions at the time of the accident. This can include looking at what the weather was like, if the road was wet, and if it was nighttime and thus hard to see. 

The specialists may also analyze other evidence, such as witness statements, photographs or videos, and surveillance footage. They will also analyze the injuries sustained by those involved by looking at medical reports.  

Once sufficient information is gathered, the accident reconstructionists will then use various programs or software to create a simulation or diagram of the accident. 

When is Accident Reconstruction Used?

There are various reasons or situations for which accident reconstruction might be used, including:

  • Accident lawsuits
  • Court trials for car accidents
  • When there are disputes about what happened in a car accident
  • Government investigations
  • Other private investigations
  • When there is missing evidence or no witnesses to confirm what happened
  • To help make roads safer
  • To determine the flow of traffic and how to make it better

How Accident Reconstruction Can Help With a Car Accident Claim

Accident reconstruction can and does help with car accident cases and personal injury claims. They are especially common when multiple parties and cars are involved, as it can be hard to determine what happened when everyone is seeing the accident from a different perspective. 

Essentially, anytime there is an accident, even if it’s only two cars involved, the more evidence you have to show what happened, the better. To ensure you get the compensation you deserve to help cover all damages suffered, such as medical expenses and lost wages, you will need to provide ample evidence, which can include an accident reconstruction report. 

If the case goes to court, the accident reconstruction specialist may be called upon as an expert witness. If this happens, they would provide testimony supported by a multi-media report that includes the evidence they discovered and the simulations or diagrams they created. 

Trust McCoy & Sparks—Premier Personal Injury Attorneys in Central Kentucky

If you are involved in a Kentucky car accident where accident reconstruction may be needed, it’s important that you work with an experienced car accident attorney. 

There is a lot of information that you will need to provide, but it’s also important to avoid giving away anything that could be misconstrued or used against you. Your attorney can guide you through the process to ensure everything goes smoothly and in your favor as much as possible. 

Recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms, McCoy & Sparks represents thousands of clients in Central Kentucky. With a focus on providing premium service, our goal is to develop a strategy that best serves your personal needs to help achieve the best possible outcome. You owe us nothing unless we win your case. Call us at (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our truck accident attorneys today.