How accident reconstruction can affect your car accident claim
Car Accident - July 11, 2023 by Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
Determining the cause of an accident is critical to identifying the at-fault party and holding them responsible for the damage they caused. Sometimes, the cause of an accident may not be immediately apparent, and other times the apparent cause turns out to be misleading.
A Chicago car accident lawyer from Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates has the resources needed to investigate your accident thoroughly. Your attorney will work with experts in accident reconstruction to recreate the incident, determining its cause and the at-fault party.
What is accident reconstruction?
Using the evidence from the accident and applying principles of physics, engineering, and math, accident reconstructionists investigate, analyze, and draw conclusions about the cause of the accident. For example, they can determine each vehicle’s speed, the angle of impact, and other factors revealing how and why the event occurred.
Only some people who call themselves accident reconstructionists are qualified for the job. The team at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates only works with those who meet Illinois certification requirements and perform their work with excellence.
How long does a car accident reconstruction take?
The time it takes to complete a reconstruction depends on the number of cars involved and other circumstances. Of course, evidence from the scene must be collected promptly, so reconstructionist teams will be called to perform measurements and make observations as soon as possible.
Information used in an accident reconstruction
Accident reconstructionists collect information from a variety of sources, including but not limited to:
- Vehicle inspections
- Road conditions
- Accident-scene measurements, such as skid marks
- Photo or video evidence
- Eyewitness observations
- Information from Event Data Recorders (EDRs), if available
- Medical reports to determine the consistency of injuries with the available evidence
Today’s technology allows for advanced accident reconstruction through computer software. Reconstructionists use these programs to generate reports, 2D or 3D models, and even animations of the accident.
How accident reconstruction can benefit your car accident claim
To collect a settlement for a Chicago car accident, you must prove the at-fault party’s negligence caused the accident leading to your damages. If you file against the wrong party, you will not be able to prove negligence and lose out on your settlement.
Accident reconstruction allows your Chicago car accident lawyer to identify the true at-fault party and gather evidence to prove their negligence. While you may think a negligent driver caused a car accident, accident reconstruction may reveal unsafe road conditions or a vehicle malfunction actually caused the accident. In those scenarios, the at-fault party could be those responsible for maintaining the roads or the vehicle or part manufacturer, not the driver.
Fault laws in Chicago
Illinois operates under a comparative fault system which allows victims who are less than 50% responsible to file an injury claim. However, if the victim still holds some percentage of fault, their compensation is reduced by that same percentage.
The at-fault party’s representatives will do their best to inflate your responsibility for the accident to lower their payout. Accident reconstruction can prove their claims against you are false, protecting your settlement from an unfair reduction.
Accident reconstruction can help you secure
The effects of a car accident can reach all areas of your life. Your physical injuries leave you in pain and either temporarily or permanently disabled. Recovery time will keep you out of work and earning money, and you may face new expenses, such as child care or other responsibilities you can no longer fulfill on your own.
Your pain and limitations can put you in significant emotional distress and with feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. Your quality of life overall may be substantially reduced.
Insurance companies will try to deny paying you what you deserve. Accident reconstruction can counter these attempts so you get the compensation you need.
Secure your settlement with the help of accident reconstruction
The attorneys with Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates understand how important a fair settlement is to your recovery. When you connect with a Chicago car accident lawyer from our team, your attorney will recruit the services of a skilled accident reconstructionist to build your case and secure your compensation. Call (800) 985-1819 or click on our contact page today for a free consultation.If you’ve been harmed in a California boating under the influence accident with an intoxicated driver, call Ernst Law Group today at (805) 541-0300 for a free consultation.
