Jersey Shore Personal Injury and Employment Specialists

Car accident investigation and reconstruction considerations

On Behalf of | Jul 1, 2015 | Car Accidents |

Determining fault in some automobile accidents is much easier than in others. In fact, it is not uncommon for serious questions to be raised over why and how a collision occurred. In such cases, it may be necessary to conduct a comprehensive automobile accident investigation, which can include reconstructing the crash. New Jersey law enforcement agencies and private companies both regularly perform such services; however, they can have very different purposes in mind.

Crashforensics.com discusses some of the components that go into accident investigations and reconstructions, and explains that independent investigators and law enforcement authorities approach accident incidents differently. The primary goal of law enforcement investigators is to determine whether or not criminal activity contributed to the circumstances of an incident. Some of the factors that law enforcement considers include but are not limited to: alcohol consumption, drug use, mechanical violations and excessive speeds. Independent investigators, on the other hand, are typically hired by accident victims and/or insurance companies in order to determine who, if anyone was liable for causing an accident incident. As a result, independent accident investigations can involve different components than police investigations, and be more thorough in some cases.

Bison Engineering explains that while police reports on car accident incidents can include information regarding everything from possible traffic light malfunctions to road and weather conditions, they can lack vital details necessary to accurately determine fault. The consideration of evidence like skid marks and points of impact can provide valuable information, along with other factors like driver actions and reaction distances. Independent investigators also often account for any possible mechanical malfunctions that may have contributed to a collision.