The Role of Accident Reconstruction in Proving Negligence

Jun 30, 2022 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

Alabama is a contributory negligence state, which means that even if you are 1% at fault in causing the accident in which you were injured, you may not recover any compensation. While there may be ways for your Tuscaloosa car accident attorney to fight this, being able to prove that you were not at fault in any capacity is always best. Unfortunately, this is not always an easy task and often requires taking extra steps, such as reconstructing the accident. At Cross & Smith, LLC, our attorneys go the extra mile to help our clients recover the compensation they are due, including accident reconstruction.

Accident Reconstruction Explained 

Accident reconstruction is a process that utilizes scientific methods to determine how an accident happened. Experts in their fields, such as engineers and mechanics, use their knowledge, experience, and the most up-to-date computer applications to recreate exactly what happened when the collision occurred. A thorough accident reconstruction can answer questions that are at the heart of your case for recovery, such as:

• How fast were the vehicles traveling when the accident occurred?
• What were the visibility conditions for all drivers involved when the accident occurred?
• How much time did a certain driver have to react before the collision occurred?
• What direction were the vehicles heading in when the accident occurred?

The answers to these questions will be extremely beneficial for your Tuscaloosa car accident attorney as they advocate for your recovery. 

Evidence Used By An Accident Reconstructionist

An accident reconstructionist will leave no stone unturned in their search to discover how, and why, an accident occurred. Some of the evidence they use in forming their recreation of the accident are listed below.

Evidence at the Scene of the Accident

There are many types of evidence at the scene of the accident that may not seem important to the average person but are critical to an accident reconstructionist. This includes:

• Tire marks
• Debris on the roadway
• The final resting position of the vehicles after the accident occurred
• Any other objects involved in the collision, such as light poles and buildings

As most accident reconstructionists are not retained until a significant amount of time has passed since the accident occurred, they will rely on photographs and videos for much of this information. 

Other Evidence Used

There are other pieces of evidence that are useful to an accident reconstructionist, including witness statements, accident reports, and the actual vehicles involved in the accident. 

Speak With A Tuscaloosa Car Accident Attorney at Cross & Smith

Conducting accident reconstruction is just one of the many ways in which we go to great lengths to ensure our clients are able to recover what they are due. If you have been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one in a car accident, contact a Tuscaloosa car accident attorney at Cross & Smith, LLC.  We may be reached by calling 877-791-0618 or via our contact page.