Accident Reconstruction
I just did another accident reconstruction, and it was a good chance to reflect on a number of things.
If you don’t know, a full reconstruction using vehicles identical to those in the actual accident is relatively rare, because it is so expensive. Only those cases with the most serious injuries will justify the cost. Not only is it necessary to get the exemplar vehicles there, but videotaping or filming must be arranged, and experts have to be on hand to make sure that the work is accurate and that it will meet evidentiary standards.
My latest effort required finding a motorcycle in the right color, with the same accessories as the bike involved in the accident. It took a full day of work to get examples of what could be seen by the various parties in the accident from various angles, all while moving at freeway speeds in real traffic.
On one hand, this is a major undertaking, requiring a lot of skill. On the other hand, it is fun and satisfying, because the videotape gives an accurate depiction of the vehicles as they actually looked at the time of the accident, and the tape shows what the various drivers and witnesses could actually see.
A lot of care must be taken, because the last thing anyone wants is to actually recreate the accident. Safety must be in everyone’s mind at all times.
It has been decades since the first time that I did this, so I have learned a lot about making these events run smoothly, and I have learned how to avoid a lot of problems that plague some attempts at accident reconstruction.
Because it takes so many hours to complete one of these, I also have a lot of time to think about what I do for a living, and how important it is. This case involved a motorcycle that was hit from behind, throwing the rider into the air above a busy freeway. The rider hit his head, and cannot remember the actual accident. The woman that hit him with her car is trying to blame the motorcycle rider, and claims she didn’t see him before she hit him. It seems preposterous that anyone could claim they didn’t see a motorcycle dead center in front of their car, but when you handle these cases regularly, nothing is surprising.
Of course, the videotape clearly shows what we all know – motorcycles never come “out of nowhere” – they all come out of somewhere. If you look at a motorcycle, you see it. If you are looking at your mirror, playing with the radio, or texting, it does become more difficult to also keep track of traffic. For a vigilant driver, motorcycles are quite easy to see.
I must admit to a sickening feeling watching the reconstruction, and realizing how many drivers are out there not paying the least bit of attention, or at least momentarily drifting off. We all count on each other on the road, and we have to rely on others to pay attention and obey the rules of driving. For a rider that is wearing the proper gear, paying attention themselves, who has taken a motorcycle safety course, there should be a feeling that riding a motorcycle is a safe and fun activity.
Seeing such a vivid reminder of the importance of the work I do for injured riders, and thinking about how it helps make riding safer for all of us, made this day of work memorable and inspiring.
