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Accident investigations are important in determining liability in vehicle accidents, says a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer.

Accidents are investigated by three different groups of people:

• Law enforcement officers investigate potential criminal activity.
• Insurance adjusters investigate to determine who was at fault and therefore, responsible for damages.
• Private investigators look for potential negligence in accidents in order to recover compensatory damages.

Law enforcement officers have the priority of getting medical assistance for those injured in accidents. They then document information regarding the date and time of an accident, accident location, road and weather conditions, the number of those injured and/or deaths, and the presence of alcohol or drugs.

The timing of accident investigations is important. Evidence may be compromised if not collected immediately. Investigators usually mark accident locations with chalk or make sketches of the designated area.

A Florida accident police report is completed. It specifically includes some of the following information:

• Crash date and time
• Roadway information regarding the location, the road system identifier, i.e. interstate, local, or county roads
• Crash information regarding the weather conditions, the road surface, events, and contributing circumstances
• Witness information
• Non-vehicle property damage
• Narrative
• Passenger information
• Violations

Vehicle accident investigators also examine the collision to look for the potential of mechanical failure or safety violations that could have caused an accident. They look at seatbelt damage, headlight and taillight function, and turn signal position, as well as damage on all the vehicles involved in an accident. 

Investigations play a significant role in determining criminal and civil actions. Anyone investigating an accident must be careful when examining and collecting evidence so as not to face the legal and professional consequences of tampering, destroying, or improperly gathering evidence.

One of the last steps in a vehicle accident investigation can be an accident reconstruction. Accident reconstructions are usually conducted by forensic experts. These experts are mechanical, civil, and traffic engineers who have specialized training in crash investigation and analysis.

“If you or a loved one is injured in a vehicle accident because of the negligence of another, you may be entitled to seek compensation for past, present and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and a loss of the enjoyment of life. Our Fort Myers personal injury lawyers are available 24/7 for assistance with your case. We provide our clients with personal contact and communication along with aggressive representation. For further information please see our case results at Settlements and Verdicts. There are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you,” said Fort Myers Personal Injury Lawyer Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Fort Myers Personal Injury Lawyer Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one percent (1%) of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com. Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County at 239.793.7748.