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Frequent Questions

What is a traffic accident reconstructionist and what do they do?

   
A traffic accident reconstructionist is a specialist in the investigation and analysis of traffic accidents.  To do this requires considerable training and experience.  Many traffic accident reconstructionists are police officers and perform reconstructions as part of their official duties.  The police do not reconstruct all accidents, only those that meet criteria established by their respective department. A private practice accident reconstructionist works for the attorney, not the attorney's client. The professional reconstructionist will analyze the accident beyond the investigation normally performed by the police.

    The accident reconstructionist must also be qualified to render an opinion in court. To do this, the reconstructionist must be qualified as an "expert" by the court.  This is different from the testimony that may be presented by other witnesses. To offer an opinion, the court must recognize the individual has the training and experience in traffic accident reconstruction that qualifies them to present their analysis and that this information will aid the jury in understanding what happened.


I am an attorney with a traffic accident case.  How can I find out if an expert in accident reconstruction can help me?

    Call Harris Technical Services at (772) 336-2279.  There is no charge or obligation for the initial review and consultation on any case.  We will review the file and provide a cost estimate based on your needs.

I was involved in a traffic accident.  Can I hire a traffic accident reconstructionist to assist me without an attorney?

    No. We do not work directly for individuals that were involved in a traffic accident. We only work with attorneys and insurance company representatives.  In any accident case, there will be legal issues that must be addressed as part of the presentation of the analysis of the accident. If you, or someone you know, was involved in a traffic accident, consult with qualified legal counsel.

What issues can an accident reconstructionist address?

    There are many areas we can analyze. Vehicle speed is the most common issue and there are several methods, including speed from skid marks, conservation of energy, crush damage, and conservation of linear momentum, that can be applied. There can be questions of collision avoidance or the ability of a driver to see a hazard. Most accident cases require several issues be analyzed and correlated so an overall picture of the situation can be presented.

How can I determine a speed from skid marks?

    As a courtesy, we have an
On-Line Skid Speed Calculator on this web site and several articles that describe the procedures of determining speeds from skid marks. Please note there are limitations as to the applicability of the results of this calculator for any particular situation.

How do you conduct a skid test to determine a drag factor?

   
A skid test is inherently dangerous. Skid testing must not be attempted without proper training. Along with the safety concerns, the test vehicle must be equipped with specialized measuring and recording instruments to determine the actual braking distance with a known initial speed. While we will conduct skid tests, as necessary for a traffic accident case, we will not provide advice on how to conduct skid tests yourself.

Are computer programs used to reconstruct accidents?

   
Yes, there are a number of computer programs used by professional reconstructionists.  Some of these programs are very complex and require considerable training to use them correctly.

What does it cost to reconstruct an accident?

    There is no set fee for the reconstruction or analysis of a traffic accident.  Our services are provided on an hourly fee basis.  A simple situation may take very little time while complex situations may take several days just to collect the required information.  Then there is the time required for a trial or deposition appearances. There is no charge or obligation for the initial review and consultation on any traffic accident case. With this review, we can provide a cost estimate based on your requirements.

Do you prepare scale diagrams and other exhibits?

    Yes. We prepare various types of scale diagrams, aerial photos, animations and scale models.

I am looking for information not addressed on this site.


Contact us! Traffic accident reconstruction can be very complex. We will be happy to provide you with the best information we have available.

 

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