Accident scenes begin to change moments after they happen. The police will investigate the crash after injury victims are treated and released or transported to the hospital. After that, emergency workers will begin cleaning up and clearing the scene.
This process will get traffic moving again, but it can also cost you evidence that may be crucial for your auto accident claim. To get a complete understanding of the crash at the time that it happened, your lawyer may hire experts to aid in a reconstruction of the accident.
Accident reconstructionists and other professionals might play a key role in building your claim. To get started with your accident case, please call O’Connor & Partners, PLLC at (845) 303-8777 today for a free consultation. Our lawyers serve clients in Kingston, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, and nearby areas of New York.
What Is an Accident Reconstructionist?
Accident reconstruction is a forensic discipline that strives to recreate the events leading up to and during an accident based on the available information. Generally, accident reconstructionists have backgrounds in fields such as physics, engineering, mathematics, and forensic sciences.
Many accident reconstructions involve creating computer models that simulate the collision. As a result, accident reconstructionists often have training in specialized software programs that visualize the crash.
How Is Accident Reconstruction Performed?
Thorough investigation of the accident is a crucial prerequisite for accurate reconstruction. Experts will utilize information and data points from a multitude of sources in order to reconstruct the accident, including:
- Photos of the scene of the accident
- Photos of the vehicles
- Witness statements
- The police report
- Maps and GPS information of the area where the accident occurred
- Inspection of the vehicles
- Medical records of your injuries
- Data recorded by the vehicles’ onboard computers (or the event data recorder, in cases involving truck accidents)
Ultimately, the reconstructionist will use the available information to analyze multiple aspects of the accident and determine how and why it occurred.
What Information Can Accident Reconstruction Provide?
Reconstructing the accident can yield important insights that your attorney may use to build your claim. These insights could include:
- The actions of the drivers leading up to and during the accident (may support claims of negligence against the at-fault driver)
- The force of the collision (reflective of the vehicle’s speed when the accident occurred)
- The angle of impact (reflects the relative position of the vehicles, which may indicate who is at fault)
- The severity of the accident (accounts for vehicle damage and serious injuries)
- Visibility at the accident scene (useful if the at-fault driver claims the accident was unavoidable)
- Vehicle defects or maintenance issues that may have been a factor in the accident
Should your accident claim go to trial, the accident reconstructionist may be called as an expert witness. Their testimony and presentation of the evidence may be an asset for a favorable outcome in your case.
Do I Need Accident Reconstruction for My Claim?
Generally, the majority of auto accident cases settle out of court, often without going to trial. However, if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement or your accident claim involves complicated issues concerning liability, hiring an accident reconstructionist may be in your best interest.
You only have one opportunity to recover the compensation you need and deserve for the injuries you sustain in an accident. The attorney you hire should collect evidence and enlist experts to present the strongest possible case on your behalf.
How Much Does Accident Reconstruction Cost?
The fees charged by individual experts and accident reconstruction firms vary. However, it is important to know that you will not have to pay the costs of your case unless and until your attorney prevails.
At O’Connor & Partners, PLLC, we advance all of the costs of litigation. That means we handle the fees charged by accident reconstructionists and other experts. We also take cases on contingency, which means you pay us nothing upfront. If we achieve a verdict or settlement in your favor, you pay us a percentage of the recovered amount.
When you have been seriously injured in an accident, you should not have to worry about incurring additional costs to hire legal representation. The contingency fee arrangement enables you to contact an accident lawyer without worrying about what it means for your finances.
Find Out How O’Connor & Partners, PLLC Can Help
If you have been injured in a vehicle accident, it is important to hire an attorney with the experience, knowledge, and resources to build a compelling claim on your behalf. The attorneys at O’Connor & Partners, PLLC have over 150 years of combined experience in accident cases. Our team handles all aspects of your case with diligence and passion, from investigation and settlement negotiations to trial if necessary.
For a free review of your case, please call O’Connor & Partners, PLLC at (845) 303-8777 today. Our law firm has offices in Kingston, Poughkeepsie, and Newburgh, and we serve clients throughout New York.