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How Can an Accident Reconstruction Expert Help My Case?

Many of our clients have never heard of an accident reconstruction expert. However, once our Los Angeles accident attorneys explain what accident reconstruction specialists do, our clients understand how these experts can help their case.

Here, we’ll explain what an accident reconstruction expert does, and how they can help you get the damages you deserve.

What Exactly Is an Accident Reconstruction Expert?

Accident reconstruction experts know how to reconstruct an accident in order to determine fault. Usually, our accident lawyers in Los Angeles hire them when they’re dealing with a very complicated case.

If you’ve ever watched a legal drama on television, you’ve probably seen characters who play accident reconstruction experts. They are the people who stand up in the courtroom with displays and simulations, showing the jury how an accident occurred.

What Kind of Background and Training Do Accident Reconstructionists Have?

Accident reconstruction experts spend most of their time working on motor vehicle accident cases. This is because their background and training lend themselves well to this sort of case.

Many accident reconstruction experts tend to have a background in science and technology. They may have an engineering degree as well. They are the people who understand how to determine how fast a car was going at the time of impact. They can also look at skid marks and figure out which car made the marks.

Why Would Your Attorney Hire an Accident Reconstruction Expert?

Normally, our accident lawyers in Los Angeles do whatever they can to keep costs down. If they can win or settle your case without hiring a single expert, that’s what they would do. However, there are times when hiring an expert makes the difference between winning and losing your case.

Typically, our Los Angeles injury attorneys only hire accident reconstruction experts in the following situations:

  • A multi-vehicle accident in which all three (or more) drivers were partially at fault
  • When the other driver fled the scene and your accident lawyer in Los Angeles needs to prove that it was the defendant’s vehicle that hit you
  • When the accident was so severe that the only way to make any sense of it is to break it down scientifically
  • When the defendant argues that weather played a role in the crash, and you don’t believe it did

As you can see, we only hire these experts when there is no other way to prove negligence on the part of the defendant.

Accident Reconstruction Specialists Can Help Prove Fault

For you to collect damages, your Los Angeles accident attorney must demonstrate that the defendant was negligent. Of course, there are cases where the defendant acted intentionally, but these are few and far between.

Sometimes, it’s nearly impossible to prove negligence without the help of someone with a scientific or technical background. That’s when it makes sense to hire an accident reconstruction expert.

in some car accident cases, an expert witness is needed.

They Can Unravel Complicated Motor Vehicle Accidents

One of the difficulties with multi-vehicle accidents is that it can be hard to determine who was responsible for what. There could be three or more cars in a pileup. By the time the police arrive on the scene, it’s impossible to determine what happened.

Since your Los Angeles accident attorney is going to hear a different story from each driver involved, it can be hard to unravel the truth.

When we’re in this position, we like to consult an accident reconstruction expert. They can unravel the web of uncertainty much easier and much more quickly than a layperson can.

What Kind of Questions Can These Experts Answer?

We’ve touched on this a little bit, but you’re probably wondering what kind of questions accident reconstruction specialists can answer. Depending on the type of case they’re working on, these experts can usually help with the following inquiries:

  • What caused the crash?
  • Who was responsible for the collision?
  • Did weather or visibility play a role in your accident?
  • How fast was the other vehicle going at the time of impact?
  • Whether the other driver tried to brake or smashed right into your car or SUV?

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. There is almost an infinite number of questions that reconstruction specialists can answer in a Los Angeles car accident case.

What Tools Do Accident Reconstruction Experts Use to Help Prove a Case?

It is true that more than 95% of the cases our Los Angeles accident attorneys handle settle. However, every now and then, we have to take a case to trial. When this happens, an accident reconstruction expert can use a wide variety of tools to present a compelling case to the jury.

Some of the tools these experts have at their disposal include:

  • Simulations of the crash
  • CGI videos that reenact what happened during the accident
  • Animation programs that can show how severe the impact was
  • Photos
  • Scientific reports
  • Explanation of the “black box” contained in almost all modern vehicles

These are the kinds of things that our accident lawyers in Los Angeles would not normally use. Being able to rely on a professional who understands the utility of these tools can be critical to proving your case.

Accident Reconstruction Expert Is an Impartial Party

One other major benefit of using an accident reconstruction expert is that they’re an impartial party. Whether your Los Angeles accident attorney is trying to negotiate a settlement or is at trial, this is key.

When the judge (or jury) sees that your expert is unbiased, it lends credibility to their testimony. Even during settlement negotiations, your lawyer can point out that the expert they’re using works for both plaintiffs and defendants.

Sit Down With an Experienced Los Angeles Accident Attorney

If you’ve been hurt in a motor vehicle accident, it’s normal to want the other driver to pay. Sometimes, it’s difficult to make this happen. The good news is that your Los Angeles accident attorney can enlist the help of an experienced accident reconstructionist for help.

The big insurance companies have entire teams of people to help them recreate an accident. They don’t have to pay for expert witnesses because they have them on staff. And, while your accident lawyer in Los Angeles would rather not have to pay an expert, sometimes, it’s the only way to get our clients the compensation they deserve.

We suggest you call our office today so you can schedule your free, initial consultation. Or, if you prefer, you can always do this online through our website.

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