Accident reconstruction is a branch of forensics that uses science to determine the circumstances of an accident. They are most often retained in traffic collisions but can be used in a variety of different scenarios. They utilize principles of mathematics, physics, and engineering to conduct an analysis of the accident. From these principles, they can form opinions as to velocity, collision angles, driver visibility, and other causal factors of the accident.
There are many benefits to an accident reconstruction expert. First, these experts possess the ability to quantify and measure aspects of the accident to an estimate far more precise than a layperson could. Secondly, eyewitness testimony can be unreliable, and it is normal for a person to not clearly remember the moment of an accident, as emergency situations and the spike in adrenaline can cause memory lapses. This phenomenon can partially account for the conflicting explanations of so many accidents. The goal of the accident reconstruction expert is to take away these uncertainties, and recreate an objective narrative of what happened.
Every accident is unique. While some crashes have a clear at-fault party, others may involve multiple people and unclear conditions. In such cases, a reconstructionist can help represent your side of the story effectively and accurately.
Today, I’m fortunate to have Steve Grundhoefer as a guest. Steve is a licensed professional engineer. He does traffic accident reconstruction. He has extensive experience doing what we call forensic work.
Kevin has been the principal investigator for over 3,000 crashes. He’s the owner of Crash Consulting Services, and investigates and reconstructs wrecks all over the country. Kevin and his company use the most up-to-date technology to help determine how and why a wreck happens.
