Discovering how a vehicle crash occurred begins with a thorough investigation at the site of the incident.
While law enforcement officers mark the scene and write their reports, they do not have the time to collect all the evidence, a task that often falls to professional investigators.
Answering questions
When a car crash occurs, questions immediately arise. What were the weather conditions? What was the condition of the road or highway? Did the vehicle hit an obstruction, such as a guardrail or a large animal? Was excessive speed or consumption of alcohol involved? The answers are in the evidence and will ultimately assist in finding out who was to blame for the crash.
Examining evidence
Advocates for the injured victims of a vehicle crash will launch a prompt investigation of the scene, often with the help of accident reconstructionists. These professionals will begin their work at once before inclement weather and passing traffic can cause evidence to vanish. The investigation will focus on clues such as tire tracks, skid marks, gouges in the pavement, fluid stains from oil or blood, the final resting position of the vehicles and similar types of information.
Determining fault
Evidence from the crash site investigation will join information from police reports and witness testimony to arrive at the determination of fault. Injured victims have the right to file a claim with the insurance company that represents a negligent driver. If the investigation finds that a poorly maintained section of road contributed to the crash, the county or state may bear responsibility. Compensation for the victims should be sufficient to cover current and future medical expenses, lost wages and more.