The Use of Accident
Reconstructionists in Truck Accidents
Accident reconstructionist
are often used by lawyers in auto
accident and truck
accident cases to answer questions about how the accident
occurred. An accident reconstructionist might be able to tell
you who was driving, how fast the car or truck was going, whether
the driver and/or occupants of the vehicle were wearing seat belts,
where on the road the accident occurred, and so forth.
Reconstructing truck accidents
is more complicated than car
accidents. Truck accident reconstruction in many truck accident
cases requires a truck accident reconstructionist who understands
the nuiances of truck accident cases and can communicate effectively
with a jury.
One of the big issues our lawyers typically face in auto accident
and truck accident cases is debate as to the speed of the vehicles.
The biggest difference in investigating truck accidents as opposed
to car accidents is the number of different variables at play
with respect to stopping or slowing. Car accidents are relatively
easy, the investigator looks primarily to the skid marks and the
type of surface on which the vehicle skid. Truck accidents are
far more complex. Trucks generally take 30% to 75% longer to stop
than a car. Because large commerical trucks are more difficult
to stop, a truck accident reconstructionist must include other
variables beyond the usual friction values to calcuate vehicle
speed, such as brake balance and brake lag time. If speed calculations
do not include these adjustments, then the calculated speed of
the truck will be off base and Plaintiff’s theory as to
the speed of the truck can look ridiculous and inconsistent with
the witnesses to the accident. In cases like this, the truck accident
lawyer needs to find a neutral accident reconstructionist to recreate
the speed of the truck and to take into account all of the relevant
considerations.
Sample Accident
Reconstructionist Deposition Outline
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