Determining fault and proving liability can be challenging after an Arizona car accident, especially when the case involves complex technical details. In these situations, an accident reconstruction expert can be a powerful resource to explain what happened and who is responsible in simple terms.
At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we use every tool at our disposal to build robust cases for our clients. We have working relationships with industry-leading experts in auto accident reconstruction, forensics, and physics. These specialists can provide a layer of technical sophistication and depth to make your personal injury claim more compelling and easier to understand.
Not every car crash claim requires accident reconstruction analyses, but when they do, our law firm knows who to call to get the job done right. Contact us today to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in Phoenix.
What Is Accident Reconstruction?
Accident reconstruction is a scientific process of analyzing the facts and events leading up to, during, and immediately following a collision. Accident reconstruction experts use their specialized knowledge in fields such as physics, engineering, and forensics to piece together evidence and create a detailed analysis of how and why a car crash occurred.
These professionals combine their expertise with advanced technology and investigative techniques to:
- Determine the speed and direction in which the vehicles involved were traveling
- Identify the point of impact and post-collision trajectories
- Assess road conditions and environmental factors
- Evaluate driver actions and reactions
- Analyze vehicle damage patterns
Accident reconstruction aims to provide an objective, scientific explanation of the crash events, which can be crucial in proving fault in a car accident and supporting your claim for compensation.
The Process of Accident Reconstruction
Accident reconstruction experts take a systematic approach to analyzing a car crash. While the process may differ depending on the circumstances, it generally includes the following steps:
Gathering Evidence
Accident reconstructionists collect and review all available information, such as:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Photographs of the accident scene and vehicles
- Surveillance or dash cam footage
- Vehicle data from event data recorders (EDRs)
- Medical records of injuries sustained
Scene Investigation
Experts often visit the accident site to document road conditions, signage, and traffic controls and determine whether they played any role in causing the wreck. They will also measure and photograph skid marks, debris patterns, and other physical evidence the collision may have left behind.
Vehicle Examination
An inspection of involved vehicles may require documenting damage patterns, analyzing deployed airbags and safety systems, and retrieving data from the vehicles’ onboard computers.
Data Analysis
Using specialized software and mathematical models, experts can:
- Calculate vehicle speeds and trajectories
- Determine impact forces and energy dissipation
- Create computer simulations of the crash sequence
Report Findings
The expert will compile their analysis into a comprehensive report, which may include detailed descriptions of the accident sequence and supporting calculations and data. They may present the outcome of their investigations by using visual aids such as diagrams, charts, and 3D animations.
How Accident Reconstruction Experts Can Strengthen Your Case
Accident reconstruction experts are often crucial in strengthening a car accident claim, especially when there are complex circumstances or liability disputes. An accident reconstruction expert in Phoenix can bolster your claim by:
- Providing evidence to establish fault – By analyzing the physical evidence and crash dynamics, experts can demonstrate how the other driver’s actions led to the collision.
- Refuting false claims – If the other party or their insurance company attempts to blame you for the accident, reconstruction evidence can help disprove their arguments.
- Explaining complex scenarios – In cases involving multiple vehicles or unusual circumstances, experts can break down the sequence of events in a way that’s easy for judges and juries to understand.
- Supporting injury claims – By demonstrating the forces involved in the crash, experts can help link your injuries directly to the accident, countering arguments that they were pre-existing or unrelated.
- Identifying additional factors – Sometimes, reconstruction reveals other contributing factors, such as road design flaws or vehicle defects, which could lead to additional avenues for compensation.
Types of Evidence Collected by Accident Reconstruction Experts
Accident reconstruction experts gather and analyze various types of evidence to build a comprehensive understanding of car accidents. This evidence typically falls into several broad categories.
Physical Evidence from the Scene
When an accident reconstructionist visits a crash site, they will closely consider evidence such as:
- Skid marks and tire tracks – These signs can reveal information about vehicle speeds, braking patterns, and directions of travel.
- Debris patterns – The distribution of vehicle parts and other debris can help determine the point of impact and post-collision movements.
- Road conditions – Factors like pavement condition, road geometry, and visibility issues can offer significant insights into whether defective road design or other factors played a role in the motor vehicle accident.
Vehicle Damage
Damage to the vehicles involved in the accident is one of the most essential sources of evidence. Accident reconstruction experts will consider factors such as:
- Extent and location of damage – This information helps determine impact angles and forces involved.
- Paint transfers – These markings can indicate points of contact between vehicles.
- Airbag deployment – This provides information about impact severity and occupant positioning.
- Bloodstain pattern analysis – Blood stains can identify the position of car accident victims within the vehicle, seat belt usage, or even locate the driver in a hit-and-run crash.
Electronic Data
Some of the most critical forms of electronic data include:
- Event data recorders (EDRs) or “black boxes” – These devices capture crucial pre-crash data such as speed, brake application, and steering inputs.
- Traffic camera footage – This can provide visual evidence of the crash or pre-crash events.
- Cell phone records – Phone records may be relevant in distracted driving accident claims.
When to Hire an Accident Reconstruction Expert
While not every car accident case requires an accident reconstruction expert, there are several situations where their expertise can be particularly valuable:
- Liability disputes – When fault is contested or unclear, an expert’s analysis can provide scientific proof of who was responsible for the crash.
- Severe injuries or fatalities – The added insight from reconstructionists may justify higher compensation amounts for auto accident injuries.
- Complex crash scenarios – Multi-vehicle collisions, rollovers, or accidents involving commercial vehicles often require expert analysis.
- Lack of witnesses – When there are no independent witnesses to corroborate what happened, accident reconstruction specialists can provide objective evidence.
- Potential for additional liable parties – Sometimes accident reconstruction reveals that factors like road design or vehicle defects contributed to the crash, opening up additional avenues for compensation.
At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we assess each case individually to determine whether bringing in an accident reconstruction expert would be beneficial.
Legal Benefits of Having an Accident Reconstruction Expert
Incorporating an accident reconstruction expert into your legal strategy can provide several key advantages:
- Strengthened negotiating position – Insurance companies are more likely to offer fair settlements when faced with objective, scientific evidence of their client’s fault.
- Compelling courtroom testimony – If your car accident case goes to trial, an expert can provide clear, authoritative explanations to the jury about how the crash occurred.
- Rejection of opposing theories – If the other side presents their own reconstruction analyses, your expert may identify flaws and defend your version of events.
- Support for other expert testimony – Reconstruction evidence can bolster the opinions of medical experts by demonstrating how the crash forces align with the severity of your reported injuries.
- Enhanced case value – By clearly establishing fault and the severity of the crash, reconstruction can justify higher compensation for your severe injuries and losses.
- Overcoming jury bias – In cases where jurors might be skeptical (e.g., low-speed impacts causing serious injuries), expert testimony can help overcome preconceptions.
Will It Cost Me Extra?
At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we understand that financial concerns can add stress to an already difficult situation after a car accident. We assure you that hiring an accident reconstruction expert will not cost extra out-of-pocket expenses. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. We also cover the costs of hiring experts to handle your case.
If we win your case, expert fees will be paid from the compensation we secure for you. If we don’t recover a favorable verdict or settlement for you, you owe us nothing for our services or expert costs. We aim to build the strongest case possible for you without adding financial burden during this challenging time.
Why Choose Silkman Law Firm in Phoenix, AZ?
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, you need a law firm that will go the extra mile to secure the compensation you deserve. You should choose Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer because:
- We focus exclusively on personal injury cases, including car accident claims.
- You’ll work directly with founding attorney Alex Silkman throughout your case.
- We’re available to meet wherever is most convenient for you.
- Our firm has the resources to bring in top experts when needed.
- We’re prepared to take your case to trial if that’s what’s best for you.
Our commitment to personalized service and aggressive representation sets us apart in Phoenix and throughout Arizona.
Contact Our Phoenix Car Accident Attorneys for Help
Suffering injuries in a car accident can make your life feel unrecognizable. You deserve justice for the pain, financial turmoil, and emotional trauma you have endured.
At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we understand the challenges you are facing and are here to fight for the maximum compensation for you. Call or contact us today for a free case review with a Phoenix car accident lawyer.