Piecing Together the Puzzle
From the moment a collision occurs, attorneys and crash reconstruction experts collaborate to map out a fact‑finding strategy. Early involvement ensures preservation of perishable evidence.
This includes ECM (engine control modules), roadway markings, debris, infotainment modules, the involved vehicles, airbag control modules, cell phones, vehicle contents, and other items that prevent data loss from vehicle repairs or scene clearance by law enforcement.
This partnership enables lawyers to identify which technical analyses (e.g., crush‑depth correlations, time-distance calculations, delta‑V computations) will most effectively support causation arguments and preempt Daubert challenges to expert admissibility.
Comprehensive Data Gathering & Preservation
Skid‑Mark & Debris Analysis
Accident Reconstructionists meticulously photograph and measure skid‑mark lengths and taper to calculate pre‑impact speeds using calibrated physics formulas (speed ≈ √(30 × friction × distance)).
Debris‑field mapping captures post‑collision trajectories, confirming impact points and reconstruction hypotheses before vehicles are moved.
EDR & Telemetry Retrieval
Modern vehicles’ “black boxes” log parameters, such as speed, brake pressure, and steering angles, at millisecond intervals leading up to a collision.
Experts download this raw telemetry to anchor reconstructions in objective data, dramatically reducing uncertainty in speed and braking analyses .
Photogrammetry & 3D Scene Modeling
High‑resolution drone imagery, stitched by photogrammetry software, generates precise three‑dimensional meshes of crash sites.
These models allow virtual measurements of distances and angles long after the scene has been cleared, preserving spatial integrity for court presentations.
Advanced Simulation Software for Crash Analysis
HVE: Human Vehicle Environment
HVE offers a complete 3D simulation environment that blends robust human, vehicle, and environment models. This allows analysts to test multiple collision scenarios and refine parameters until the virtual crash aligns with every piece of physical evidence.
PC‑Crash & Integrated Simulation
PC‑Crash extends dynamic reconstructions by coupling momentum‑based trajectory models with occupant injury simulation (via MADYMO), enabling nuanced explorations of multi‑vehicle pileups and rollover events.
Case Spotlight: Groves v. Richardson
In Groves v. Richardson, reconstruction expert Joey Stidham used scene modeling, Cellebrite data, sequence analysis, EDR data with photogrammetric site mapping, and vehicle scanning to create forensic animations that painted a reliable and lifelike picture of the crash.
His work helped secure a favorable settlement for the plaintiff.
Best Practices: Engaging Your Reconstruction Expert ASAP
To maximize efficacy, provide experts with all available documentation immediately and get them to the scene and vehicles ASAP.
Be prepared to invest in the case. Most projects will exceed $10,000, with many extending much higher than that, depending on the deliverable work product.
Emerging Trends: ADAS & EV Sensor Integration
Advanced Driver‑Assistance Systems (ADAS) now record lane‑departure warnings, collision‑avoidance activations, and adaptive cruise‑control events, yielding new data streams for reconstructionists.
Electric and autonomous vehicles introduce richer sensor suites, such as radar and lidar systems, that promise unprecedented detail but also pose data‑access challenges as manufacturers tightly control proprietary logs.
Reconstructions: Making Roads Safer
Aggregated reconstruction data underpins NHTSA’s safety campaigns and infrastructure grants.
With U.S. traffic fatalities estimated at 40,901 in 2023 (down to 39,345 projected for 2024), these insights guide targeted interventions, redesigning high‑risk intersections and refining autonomous‑vehicle protocols, to sustain the downward trend.
Contact a Lawyer Experienced With Crash Reconstruction
If you’ve been in a severe crash where data and reconstruction are critical, Sam Aguiar and Jon Hollan are your attorneys.
They have worked with experts on over 100 reconstruction projects and personally attended most inspections.
This has led the two to recover top results on trucking and commercial vehicle cases for clients.
Call 502-888-8888 or 859-888-8000 to get started today.
