Road traffic accidents

The nature and extent of road traffic accidents are wide and varied. They may involve vehicles colliding with other vehicles, pedestrians or roadside objects. They can cause personal injury, death, and damage to vehicles and property, and result in criminal prosecution, civil action, disciplinary actions or complaints.

Accidents are often the end result of a chain of events, with a combination of factors causing or contributing to them. These may include driver/rider/pedestrian error, excessive speed, road layout and condition, poor lines of sight, vehicle component failure and difficult weather conditions etc.

Other road traffic incidents may include speeding offences, manner of driving, tachographs, and journey routes/timings.

We can prepare accident reconstruction reports involving measurements, photographs and video drive-throughs of accident loci, examinations of vehicle damage, distance/speed/time calculations, assessment of lines of sight and road layouts, examination of CCTV/police video footage, and investigation of other possible contributory factors. We can also evaluate a range of parameters using specialist software to model certain incidents.

Incident data (black box) recorders are being fitted to a growing number of vehicles, in particular those used by the emergency services and fleet vehicles. The analysis of the information they contain is essential when a vehicle fitted with such equipment is involved in an accident. We can provide independent analysis of such data and utilise it in the reconstruction of an incident.

We prepare reports for criminal cases, disciplinary matters and internal investigations including Courts Martial. We also undertake instructions in civil matters and act as a single joint expert when required.

Forensic expertise when you need it