How Long Is the Car Accident Reconstruction Process?
As every successful attorney knows, the path to winning a favorable verdict for your client is to present the jury with strong evidence. That evidence often breaks down into two categories: compelling testimony and physical evidence.
In a personal injury lawsuit, a third category of evidence has become increasingly popular among attorneys and juries. That would be an animated car accident reconstruction.
Advocacy Digital Media has become the leading go-to resource for car accident reconstruction for attorneys across the country. We create 2D and 3D auto collision animations that provide a powerful impact in supporting your presentation. We also provide vivid crash illustrations that detail the point of impact.
All of these presentations are meant to provide the jury with compelling evidence that they will remember during deliberations. They might even request to view the evidence again.
Once the judge sets your court date, the clock starts ticking for how long you have to prepare your evidence. It is essential to factor in the time required for the car accident reconstruction process.
This post will provide a general overview of the benefits of accident reconstruction and the timeframe for producing them.
Why Is Accident Reconstruction Considered Vital Evidence?
The only reason to move a car accident insurance claim into a civil complaint is that there is a dispute over the settlement offer or who was really at fault. In states that apply pure comparative negligence, both the plaintiff and the defendant could be found to be partially responsible for the accident.
That will reduce the amount the insurance company will have to pay the plaintiff. When you present a well-produced accident reconstruction, you’ll be able to support your client’s version of the accident and prove who is liable.
Another reason why accident reconstruction is vital is that it can bolster your settlement offers. When the defendants see how strong that evidence is and realize the impact it will have on the jury, they might be eager to return to the settlement negotiations with a better offer that will prevent a jury from weighing in.
Finally, your accident reconstruction will support the court testimony of your client and any expert witnesses you call. You don’t just play the video for impact.
You use it in conjunction with testimony from an expert who can break down what is being presented and further reinforce in the jury’s mind who is at fault for the accident.
How Long Is the Car Accident Reconstruction Process?
The timeline for completing a comprehensive car accident reconstruction will depend on the complexity of the accident. Consider the following:
Simple Accidents
A simple accident would be a collision that resulted in minor injuries and damage. They might also involve a straightforward determination of who was liable for the accident. In cases of this type of accident, the reconstruction process can take several weeks to complete.
Complex Cases
A complex case can involve multiple vehicles that result in more severe injuries. These also have a dispute over who was at fault. It is not unusual for these types of reconstruction projects to take several months before they are ready.
Fatal Accidents
Accidents that involve fatalities are inherently complex because they depend on specific details such as medical examiner reports and police reports. Getting access to those reports alone might take several weeks. Then, forensic analyses can take up to three months to finalize the information that needs to be included in the accident reconstruction.
Investigations into fatal accidents are meticulous and can take anywhere from a few days to two months or even more, depending on the specifics. Preliminary police reports might be available in 10 to 14 days, while accident reconstruction and forensic analyses can take 30 to 90 days.
No matter how severe the accident was, you still have to gather surveillance footage, witness statements, and all other relevant documents. There could also be a need for additional testing to confirm the findings.
Also, there may be a need for witnesses’ testimony to be factored into the reconstruction. If those witnesses are challenging to locate, it can add to the project’s timeline.
Getting Help with Car Accident Reconstruction from Advocacy Digital Media
A car accident reconstruction can become one of the most compelling pieces of evidence for your upcoming trial. Whether it is a video or illustrations, that evidence creates an indelible memory for the jury to carry into the deliberation room.
Advocacy Digital Media can match your needs with professional, high-quality presentations that meet your deadlines.
Contact us to schedule a consultation and discuss your reconstruction needs today.
