Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
What Happens in a Crash Investigation?
Car accidents are often very serious and cause severe injuries or fatalities. When an accident results in critical damage, the victim and family may be left with an emotional and financial burden. A complete investigation will often be necessary to evaluate the cause of the accident and determine the negligent party. This is particularly true when there was a fatality. The investigation will answer many questions that you may have about the crash, as well as bring some closure to the victim and his family.
What is a Crash Investigation?
A crash investigation is the process of collecting and evaluating evidence and information obtained after a vehicle accident. An investigation encompasses a wide variety of details. An initial investigation is often completed by the police. Their goal is to preserve the crash scene to make sure that the integrity of the information is intact for later review. An accident investigation is a process that includes various steps. A comprehensive investigation is warranted after an accident that results in serious injuries or fatalities. In addition to the police, other professionals are often required to participate in the investigation. A report provides an overview of the accident details.
Elements of an Accident Investigation
- Immediately after a crash, the police, medics, fire department, and other emergency responders will take care of patients and stabilize the vehicles. The initial step in the investigation process begins by securing the scene of the accident. The police will close roads and tape off areas so they can preserve the evidence. No traffic or pedestrians will be allowed in the area until the police finish gathering information.
- The police will review the area where the incident happened, including the road and traffic conditions, the weather, the time of day, the placement of vehicles, the damage to vehicles, and more.
- The immediate statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses are helpful in determining how the crash happened. Statements obtained at the time of the crash are often the best because the witnesses have the best recollection of events at that time.
- Photos of the crash scene, the roadway, intersection, and vehicles are an essential part of gathering evidence for the investigation. They may examine and record skid marks, vehicle parts, and fluids on the road, and information about the traffic lights.
- The police will try to determine how the crash happened, where it began, and where it ended up. They will examine and take photos of every detail that will be useful in later reviewing the incident.
- The medical examiner’s report is necessary in the investigation of a fatal traffic accident. The exam will provide a specific cause of death and will also indicate whether drugs or alcohol were in the system or if a medical episode could have occurred.
- Accident reconstruction is a specialized service performed by a professional team. When warranted, the professionals will recreate the accident using as many original and specific details as possible to determine exactly how the accident happened.
Accident investigations are necessary to provide the evidence necessary to prove negligence. If you or a loved one was hurt in a serious vehicle crash that wasn’t your fault, we can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
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.law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/witness
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