NCJ Number
122033
Journal
Case and Comment Volume: 96 Issue: 4 Dated: (July-August 1989) Pages: 3-4,6-8
Date Published
1989
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Attorneys should hire qualified accident reconstruction consultants as soon as possible to help in the evaluation of an accident case, to make recommendations, and to conduct timely examinations of the accident site, the vehicles involved, and other relevant evidence.
Abstract
The author, a former Indiana state policeman and senior accident reconstruction specialist, explains what an accident reconstructionist does and how he can help attorneys preparing for trials resulting from automobile accidents. Several tasks handled by accident reconstruction consultants include providing scale diagrams and identifying accident factors such as speed, driver behavior, location of colliding vehicles on the highway, driver visibility, and reaction time. Attorneys should accompany the accident reconstruction consultants to the accident sites and to the location of the vehicles involved in the accident. Attorneys should also obtain the initial police investigation reports and the photographs of the accident taken by the police. While some accident reconstruction consultants use computers and have long resumes, they are often not as helpful as others who have years of practical experience.