Partners:
Patrick Scott Moore
Associates:
Steve Delgadillo
What
is "Traffic Accident Reconstruction And Cause Analysis"?- Who are Reconstruction Specialists and how are they trained?
- Why use a Reconstruction Specialist?
- Are Reconstruction Specialists expensive?
- Can you give me a tip on how to select a good Reconstruction Specialist?
What
is "Traffic Accident Reconstruction And Cause Analysis"?
Traffic accident reconstruction
is the science of recreating the dynamics of a collision in an attempt
to determine the causes. A complete reconstruction requires a complete
investigation and analysis of all relevant evidence, statements of the
parties and witnesses, and documentation of the collision.
Often, the reconstruction specialist will review and analyze photos and/or videos of the collision scene, police traffic accident reports, statements by the parties/witnessess, reports by claims adjusters, vehicle damage reports by auto body shops, medical reports describing injuries, and any other relevant information regarding the collision.
Usually, unless there are time constraints, the reconstruction specialist will visit the collision site to do a forensic analysis of the environment. This is where the reconstruction specialist must be a good investigator. Collecting good forensic information from the site of the collision requires experience in the skills of identifying, collecting, and preserving evidence.
Once the aforementioned analysis has been conducted, the reconstruction specialist attempts to position the parties prior to, at, and after the impact to better understand the dynamics of the collision to determine the causal factors. Now the reconstruction specialist is ready to form an opinion and testify in court as an expert witness.
Who
are Reconstruction Specialists and how are they trained?
Reconstruction specialists
are generally engineers, physicists, or law enforcement. Engineers and
physicists are educated in the laws of physics, and therefore, are considered
experts on objects in motion and the forces acting on those objects. Law
enforcement is educated in the investigation of traffic accidents, as
well as, physics as it applies to traffic accidents. Although it is generally
true that engineers and physicists have a stronger background in physics,
law enforcement generally has the stronger background in the identification,
collection, and documentation of forensic evidence, as well as, courtroom
testimony.
When selecting a reconstruction specialist the experience, training, education, and certifications of the candidate should be thoroughly examined. The best approach is to require the candidate to have a strong background in each of the above mentioned areas. Many expert witnesses have only one or two of the areas such as education and/or training. With courts becoming more and more critical of experts it is best to search for a candidate that can meet the court's criteria in all of the areas.
The following is a list of qualifiers:
- IPTM (University of North Florida)
- Northwestern University (Traffic Accident Institute)
- Texas A&M (Traffic Accident Institute)
- University of California, Riverside (Traffic Accident Institute)
- a. A.C.T.A.R. (Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction)
Why use a Reconstruction Specialist?
Attorneys understand the law and the procedures of a civil suit or criminal trial. However, most attorneys do not have the expert knowledge required to explain the causal factors of a traffic accident. Therefore, attorneys generally use experts to assist them with their more complex cases. A reconstruction specialist can evaluate and assist in the preparation and presentation of a technically involved case, as well as, testify as an expert.
Are
Reconstruction Specialists expensive?
Reconstruction can
be expensive if the case requires many hours of critical evaluation
and analysis. However, most reconstructions only require the expert
to inspect, evaluate, analyze, and document typical collisions. Typical
collisions generally take from 10-20 hours to complete. Ask the reconstruction
specialist for the hourly rate they charge so that you can compare rates.
Some reconstruction specialists are more qualified, and therefore, charge
more. Always remember, check the qualifications as outlined above, then
apply the rule "you get what you pay for"!!
Can
you give me a tip on how to select a good Reconstruction Specialist?
Don't be fooled by
education alone! There are many well educated and well intentioned individuals
who work as experts. However, education alone is not sufficient to qualify
someone as an expert. Check their qualifications by getting a copy of
their Curriculum Vitae or resume. Verify their certifications. Call
the expert and discuss the case with them. Some experts will discuss
the case without charging you. Ask the expert how many collisions have
they actually investigated. And last, if you are not comfortable with
the expert, then contact another one for comparison. Good luck!!
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