If you have been involved in a car accident, it is crucial to understand the circumstances that led to the crash in order to have a successful personal injury claim. In short, it is necessary to show that the other driver was at fault, which requires conducting a thorough investigation. For this reason, having the advice and counsel of an with experience in car accident investigations is invaluable.
J&Y Law Firm is the premier personal injury firm serving clients throughout Northern and Southern California. We have extensive experience handling all types of car accidents including rear-end collisions, T-Bone accidents, head-on collisions, tire blowouts and other mechanical failures. By collaborating with a respected network of accident reconstruction experts, we conduct investigations designed to prove that the other driver was at fault. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, we will aggressively fight for your right to just compensation.
Who investigates car accidents in Los Angeles?
After a car accident, the police will often conduct an investigation and file a report detailing the facts of the collision. In certain types of accidents, determining liability is straightforward, such as rear-end accidents in which it is obvious that one vehicle collided with the back of another car. The cause of other accidents may not be so clear-cut, however, such as side-impact collisions which require determining which driver had the right of way.
Another factor to consider is that drivers involved in a car crash may not remember exactly what happened, or try to deny any liability if they were at fault. Additionally, many car accident claims require dealing with insurance companies that rely on their own independent investigators to determine liability and financial responsibility. Because insurers often attempt to settle claims for as little money as possible, it helps to have a car accident injury attorney in your corner who can level the playing field. In short, an attorney’s investigation can help to build a successful claim.
Car Accident Investigations 101
The purpose of an investigation is to collect evidence, take witness statements and reconstruct the accident. Generally, evidence can be gathered from inspecting the accident site and the vehicles involved.
Accident Site Inspections
Investigating the scene of the accident is aimed at gathering preliminary information such as (1) the location of the accident and time it occurred, (2) whether the police were notified and by whom (the drivers, witnesses, etc.), (3) weather conditions and visibility, and (4) the severity of the accident.
Additionally, it is important to assess the accident site to determine the point of impact. An investigation can also reveal the final resting position of the vehicles and pinpoint any debris that was scattered due to the accident. In order to document these findings an investigator will use a combination of drawings and photographs of both the accident scene and the vehicles involved.
Vehicle Inspections
Generally, vehicles inspections serve two purposes – assessing the damage to the vehicles and determining if there were unsafe vehicle conditions that could have contributed to the accident. In many cases, the damage to the vehicles can reveal the speed at which they were traveling, the point of impact, and how hard the drivers applied the brakes. The information gathered from vehicle inspections will weigh heavily in final phase of the investigation – accident reconstruction.
Witness Statements
It is crucial to identify witnesses whose statements can corroborate your account of the accident, refute the other driver’s claims, and challenge the insurer’s findings.
Accident Reconstruction
Reconstructing an accident often requires collaborating with independent experts who can calculate the speed of the vehicles and their positions during the entire accident sequence. In particular, accident reconstruction experts can determine a number of factors, including:
- The direction of travel before and after the collision
- The length of pre-impact skid marks,
- The distances moved after the collision
- The type of surfaces the vehicles were traveling on
- The point of impact and impact angles
- The weights of the vehicles
Ultimately, a car accident investigator will rely on the accident site and vehicle inspections, the witness statements and and the accident reconstruction to draw conclusions about the accident.
Why You Should Call J&Y Law Firm
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, it is crucial to have proper legal representation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys have a well-earned reputation for pursuing successful car accident claims. We will conduct a thorough investigation which includes obtaining and reviewing police reports and identifying and interviewing witnesses. If it is necessary, we will call upon accident reconstruction experts who can help to show that the other driver was at fault.
At J&Y Law Firm, we are dedicated to holding negligent drivers accountable and helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve. Call our office today for a free consultation or complete the contact form on our website.