What Does a Reconstruction Expert Do?

Sometimes, it can be unclear what caused an accident. Unfortunately, there is no way to go back in time and analyze what led up to a crash. If you were in a collision and the sequence of events that caused the crash is not obvious, you may need the help of a reconstruction expert. A reconstruction expert is a person with knowledge and experience that allows them to provide insights into the cause of a crash. In some cases, they might be able to decipher who is at fault.

When you hire a Kansas City, MO, car accident attorney for a complex collision, they may decide to retain the services of a reconstruction expert to help strengthen your case.

What is a reconstruction expert and what do they do?

A reconstruction expert investigates various types of car accidents, looks at the factors involved, and determines who is responsible. While this may seem simple, it often consists of going to the accident scene, assessing the damage done to the vehicles, looking at all pieces of evidence, speaking with eyewitnesses, and checking out footage from surveillance cameras.

The goal of a reconstruction expert is to recreate a car crash scene and explain what happened, why it happened, and who is responsible in easy-to-understand language and terms. To do this successfully, they may develop written reports, show evidence from the accident scene, use computer software tools, or even create 3D models that show how and why the accident occurred.

What is a reconstruction expert’s role in a car accident case?

A reconstruction expert is typically hired by a car accident lawyer to serve as an expert witness during a car accident case. They help investigate the crash, review evidence, and determine the cause and liability. Their testimonies, reports, and models often help the judge or jury understand everything about the accident, especially what caused it and who should be held accountable. When a car accident case is so complex that certain evidence does not explain the entire story, a reconstruction expert can step in and provide clarity. Here are some of the steps that a reconstruction expert may take when dealing with a Kansas City, MO car accident case:

• Investigating the accident scene and vehicles involved
• Analyzing evidence from the crash (photos, videos, police report, etc.)
• Evaluating medical records and doctor’s notes
• Determining what errors one or more of the drivers made
• Looking for defective vehicle parts and identifying whether road or weather conditions contributed to the accident
• Interviewing witnesses, which could be bystanders, other drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, or business owners near the scene
• Recreating the accident scene using some type of software, reports, or 3D models
• Presenting findings to the attorney, judge, or jury to be used as evidence

What type of background and qualifications does a reconstruction expert possess?

Reconstruction experts typically have experience, skills, and qualifications that are related to the type of case that they are assisting with. For example, many reconstruction experts have a background in engineering, mathematics, forensics, law enforcement, traffic safety, commercial trucking, and more. Some reconstruction experts have also taken classes, earned degrees, become certified, or even received training in specific areas that benefit legal cases. Two organizations that frequently help people become certified reconstruction experts and remain up to date by providing continuing education opportunities are the Collision Safety Institute and the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction.

When should my car accident lawyer hire a reconstruction expert?

Reconstruction experts have the ability to determine information that is valuable to car accident cases, such as how fast the vehicles were going at the time of the crash, the points of impact, whether there were visibility issues, whether a vehicle was having mechanical issues, and who is at fault. Therefore, a car accident case can benefit from a reconstruction expert’s knowledge and skills in many different ways. The following are a few indicators of when your car accident lawyer should consider hiring a reconstruction expert for your case:

• Several disputes have emerged regarding your car accident and who is liable.
• The accident led to serious and life-threatening injuries, permanent disabilities, or fatalities.
• The insurance company is refusing to cooperate with you and your attorney or provide a fair settlement.
• You or your attorney need more evidence or information regarding your case.
• Multiple vehicles were involved in the crash.
• Various factors may have played a part or contributed to your collision, such as poor road conditions, auto mechanic errors, defective parts, and more.

If you have recently been involved in a car accident that you believe could use a reconstruction expert’s knowledge and skills, Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys can help. Our car accident lawyers are dedicated to helping our clients obtain justice and compensation for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other losses. If hiring a reconstruction expert is essential to achieve this, we are glad to do so. Please call our office or submit our contact form to meet with our legal team and learn how to protect your rights today. Nominated as Kansas City’s Favorite Law Firm, we have offices by appointment in various locations for you to access, including Lee’s Summit, Parkville, and St. Joseph (MO); Olathe, Kansas City, and Overland Park (KS). Our main office in Kansas City, MO, welcomes walk-ins any time.