Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
What Does the Major Crash Investigation Unit Do After a Crash?
Minor fender benders happen every day. These accidents often result in negligible damage and insignificant injuries. However, some accidents are much more serious and result in severe injuries or fatalities. These major accidents are often complex and require some evaluation to determine the circumstances that caused the crash. When an accident results in a fatality, the police must take special steps to evaluate and investigate the crash. Many police departments, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, have an internal department called a major crash investigation unit.
What is a Major Crash Investigation Unit?
A major crash investigation unit is also known as a reconstruction unit, or technical crash investigation team. The major crash investigation unit is a team of professionals specifically trained to perform multiple tasks to investigate a fatal accident. In Charlotte, the MCIU is part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The team members are police officers who may also perform other duties at the department. They often have specialized technical training. It is important to note that not all jurisdictions have MCIUs.
What Does the MCIU Do?
The MCIU team collectively completes a variety of tasks beginning immediately after a major traffic accident. The MCIU is deployed to the scene of an accident as soon as possible. The team performs several crucial things:
- Gather evidence
- Reconstruct the accident
- Accident analysis
- Collecting testimony
- Criminal investigations
- Make reports
The team utilizes advanced technology methods to examine evidence such as vehicle data and video surveillance data, and more. They may reconstruct the accident to determine the main cause as well as any contributing factors. The unit also conducts a criminal investigation to determine whether criminal charges are warranted. The unit plays a major role in the comprehensive evaluation of a fatal accident.
Do I Still Need an Independent Accident Reconstructionist?
After a major accident, you will want to ensure that you and your family get the compensation you deserve for the damages. In the case of a fatality, the damages are extreme because you no longer have your loved one in your life. In order to seek adequate payment from the responsible party, you must be able to prove negligence.
While the police investigation and report are helpful, they may not provide the information necessary to prove your case. If your case goes to court, you may need a professional to testify to the details of the accident. Your personal injury attorney will help review the details in your case and advise whether you should have a separate accident reconstruction done. Each case is unique, so it depends on the various factors in your situation.
If a loved one was the victim of a fatal accident, you or your family may be owed money for the wrongful death. The first step is to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. While nothing can bring your loved one back, at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, we have the skilled team necessary to help you get the settlement you deserve. Contact us today at (704) 370-2828 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss the details of the accident.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/criminal-investigation
https://www.charlottenc.gov/cmpd/Home
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