What Happens During a Truck Accident Reconstruction?

Schedule Your Free Consultation

A single truck accident can change dozens of lives in seconds. In 2023, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) recorded 47,197 commercial motor vehicle crashes (CMVs), resulting in 330 deaths and more than 12,000 injuries. That’s nearly one fatality and 34 injuries every single day.

When multiple vehicles are involved and several different parties can potentially be at fault, getting to the truth takes more than eyewitness accounts. Truck accident reconstruction is a powerful, evidence-based resource that can help bolster your claim.

Read on to learn how accident reconstructions work, the kind of evidence they uncover, and how a Miami truck accident lawyer can use them to support your claim and maximize your compensation.

What Is a Truck Accident Reconstruction?

Truck accident reconstruction is a science-based process used to uncover how a crash happened and who was at fault. Experts trained in forensic science, engineering, physics, and trucking safety conduct these investigations.

Reconstruction experts analyze all available evidence to recreate how the crash happened. They use a combination of physical evidence, digital records, and crash simulation technology to identify the cause of the accident and help establish liability.

Under Florida law, these reconstructionists can provide expert testimony if the analysis is based on reliable data and proven methods.

Essential Elements of a Truck Accident Reconstruction

Lawyers typically hire reconstruction specialists after the initial evidence is gathered, but when details about how the crash happened or who was at fault still need answers.

Here’s a step-by-step look at what reconstruction experts do:

Evidence Evaluation

The reconstruction process starts with a detailed review of all evidence from the crash scene, including photographs, video footage, surveillance recordings, skid marks, debris, and digital data.

Experts will also analyze the final positions of the vehicles to begin piecing together how the collision unfolded, working backward to reconstruct the sequence of events.

They then inspect the vehicles involved, evaluating their mechanical condition. They inspect the tires, brakes, suspension, engine, and damage patterns that could have contributed to the crash.

Electronic Analysis

Accident reconstruction experts will look into all available electronic data from the vehicles involved, especially from the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) and event data recorder (EDR). If other vehicles have similar devices, that data is also analyzed for a more complete picture.

The ELD helps link the crash to potentially liable parties, such as the driver, trucking company, or vehicle owner. It records:

  • Driver ID and log-in status
  • Hours of service and rest
  • GPS location and movement status
  • Engine power and run time
  • Errors, malfunctions, or disconnects

The EDR provides technical crash data that helps reconstruct what happened at the moment of impact, including:

  • Vehicle speed, acceleration, and braking
  • Throttle and brake pedal position
  • Engine RPMs
  • Seatbelt use
  • Airbag deployment
  • Timing and sequence of impacts

Scene Reconstruction

After collecting all the necessary data, the reconstruction expert uses specialized software, diagrams, and simulations to recreate the crash. The more evidence available, the more accurate and detailed the reconstruction becomes.

These simulations show how driver actions, visibility, speed, and road conditions contributed to the accident.

Expert Testimony

A well-documented truck accident reconstruction, built on solid data and accepted methods, is more likely to be admitted as evidence in court. In Florida, expert testimony must meet the Daubert standard, which sets strict guidelines for what is considered valid and reliable.

To be admissible, the expert’s findings must meet these criteria:

  • Relevance: The testimony must directly relate to the case and help explain how the accident occurred.
  • Factual Basis: The opinion must be based on sufficient facts and data.
  • Reliable Methods: The expert must apply proven principles and methods appropriately and consistently.

How a Truck Accident Reconstruction Supports Your Accident Claim

If you were injured in an accident with a large truck, your Miami truck accident lawyer may reach out to a reconstruction expert to strengthen your case. Their testimony allows your lawyer to:

  • Prove How the Crash Happened: A truck crash reconstruction serves as scientific evidence, using facts and data, to demonstrate how the accident unfolded. It helps eliminate blame-shifting and unfair accusations, potentially reducing your assigned degree of fault.
  • Determine Liability: Reconstruction details help clarify which parties are responsible for the crash. For example, if the truck driver acted recklessly or negligently, evidence from the simulation can highlight what they’ve done and establish their liability.
  • Obtain Maximum Compensation: Accident reconstructions provide solid evidence your lawyer can use to push for a stronger settlement. If your case goes to trial, this evidence can help persuade the judge or jury and improve your chances of a favorable outcome.

Call a Knowledgeable Truck Accident Lawyer in Miami Today

At Aigen Injury Law, we’ve helped clients across Miami and Florida recover compensation after serious truck accidents. Our experienced Miami truck accident lawyers work with a trusted network of experts, including qualified auto accident reconstruction specialists, to build strong, evidence-backed claims.

We’re ready to represent you and take on the legal burdens so you can focus on recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation.