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Across the country, accidents cause permanent injuries and claim lives every day. In order to know exactly what happened, establish liability and help prevent future accidents, accident investigation and reconstruction is necessary.

One may think that the police investigation may be sufficient. That is not necessarily the case. When law enforcement investigates an accident, they are looking to determine whether there was any criminal action such as speeding, hours-of-service violations, mechanical violations, alcohol use, drug use or other infractions. An example could be a bus driver falling asleep at the wheel because of exceeding his hours of service. 

Police accident reports may not assess or reflect some very critical elements of information. These elements can include speed, momentum, skid marks, crush damage, points of impact, gouges, reaction distances, line-of-sight and driver actions.

In Florida the "Florida Traffic Crash Report" is issued to report traffic crashes to the DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles). The crashes can be reported on a long or short form and must be submitted to DHSMV within 10 days of completing the investigation as required by Florida Statute 316.066. (For more detailed information on what is covered in a crash report click here: Florida Uniform Traffic Crash Report.)

Insurance companies and/or attorneys of the parties involved in an accident will customarily hire independent investigators. Independent investigators analyze the causes of the accident.

Bison Engineering, forensic engineers who investigate and reconstruct accidents, says that there may be other circumstantial factors involved for example: mechanical or electronic system failures that will need to be investigated for analysis of ABS brakes, airbags, alleged brake and steering failures, tire failures, and light bulb analyses to determine if headlights, brake lights, hazard, or turn signal lights were operative.

What happens in an accident investigation and reconstruction?

Investigations may include visits to the actual accident site as well as interviews with those involved and witnesses. They will usually try to recreate exactly what happened in order to determine what took place and take photos to document the scene. There are computer software programs that can help them with the analysis. Electronic surveying equipment can also be used to recreate the accident. Investigating the vehicle(s) involved in the accident can be important to the actual case. The inspection beyond the actual damage to the vehicle(s) may identify defective tires or other mechanical problems which could have caused the accident.

When should an accident investigation or reconstruction be done?

An investigation or reconstruction should be done as quickly as possible after an accident. Crucial evidence may disappear, and the memories of those involved may also falter. The evidence collected and the interviews conducted may help victims of vehicle accidents obtain fair compensation for any injuries or property damage suffered.

"When involved in a vehicle accident, an experienced attorney is necessary to assist you. We have the experts on our team to investigate accidents on your behalf," said Fort Myers Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Fort Myers Vehicle Accident Attorney, 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 (1%) percent 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 the 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 239.793.7748.