Amerberg Law Group's attorneys have spent years working with accident reconstruction experts to piece together the facts behind motorcycle collision cases throughout Southern California. Motorcycle accidents frequently occur in congested urban areas such as busy intersections and highways. How quickly and thoroughly evidence is gathered from the scene can significantly affect the outcome of a case, including a victim's ability to recover full compensation. Without solid supporting evidence, a case can lose much of its value.
Evidence from the scene of the collision: Documenting the accident scene carefully and promptly is one of the most important steps in the days following a crash. This means correctly identifying the location of the crash as well as the pre-crash path of every vehicle involved, including the motorcycle. Investigators look for visibility obstructions, each driver's estimated line of sight, tire skids or other marks indicating braking attempts, and conditions such as a wet roadway or sun glare. Photographs and diagrams are the best way to capture this evidence, covering the point of impact, where the vehicles came to rest, and the surrounding approach to the crash site.
Collecting vehicular evidence: Every vehicle involved in the collision, including the motorcycle and any cars that struck it or were nearby, should be closely examined and photographed for visible damage. This includes dents, scrapes, scuffs, bent frames or forks on the motorcycle, front- or rear-end damage, and side scraping that may show the bike went down and slid some distance. In car-versus-motorcycle collisions, the car, truck, or SUV can often be driven away from the scene while the motorcycle cannot, so photographing motorcycle damage often happens right at the scene, while other vehicles may need to be tracked down later at homes, tow yards, or body shops for examination and photographs.
The value of statements from those at the scene: Statements from the motorcycle rider and other drivers involved provide crucial detail about the point of impact and the circumstances leading up to the collision. Third-party witnesses who were not directly involved can offer an even more complete, less biased account of what happened. Investigating officers typically take statements from those involved and sometimes from witnesses, but these are usually brief and summarized in the traffic collision report. Speaking directly with the parties and witnesses before they become difficult to locate can make a significant difference in establishing who caused the accident and who may be legally at fault.
Analyzing the helmet and protective gear: The motorcycle helmet is not only the rider's primary piece of safety equipment but also a valuable source of evidence for reconstructing the accident and understanding how injuries occurred. Punctures, scrapes, and cracks in the helmet can reveal the point of impact on the rider's head and what it struck, whether that was part of the motorcycle, another vehicle, or the roadway. Analyzing the size, shape, and location of a crack can even help estimate the force involved. The helmet is a key piece of evidence that should never be overlooked when reconstructing a motorcycle collision.
Observing and analyzing the accident scene after the collision: It is not always possible to fully examine an accident scene on the day it happens. Revisiting the scene under similar conditions — for example, during Wednesday rush hour in Los Angeles if that is when the crash occurred — can reveal valuable information. Recreating the same environment allows investigators to observe traffic levels, weather conditions, sun glare, obstructions, direction of travel, signal patterns, and other details that can meaningfully aid the reconstruction of the collision.
Reconstructing how a motorcycle collision happened requires careful analysis of the evidence gathered by traffic officers and private investigators at the scene. Forensic engineers who specialize in accident reconstruction typically use this data to draw conclusions about causation. These conclusions are then presented to the trier of fact — a judge or jury — to determine who is legally at fault and who is responsible for any resulting personal injury or property damage.
Traffic officers and private investigators work together to gather evidence at the scene of a motorcycle accident, but it is forensic engineers with expertise in accident reconstruction who ultimately analyze that data to determine causation. Their expert opinions help judges and juries determine legal fault and responsibility for injury or property damage. To reach these conclusions, experts review all available evidence, including the police report, medical records, photographs and diagrams of the scene and property damage, and statements from parties and witnesses, both informal and those given formally through deposition.
Case experts also closely analyze traffic data and the location of the crash to determine factors such as speed and point of impact, both central to reconstructing the collision. Evidence such as bent forks, vehicle dents, skid marks, and where the motorcycle came to rest is weighed alongside the accounts of the rider and other drivers or witnesses. Mathematical modeling, including vector components and the coefficient of friction for the roadway surface, helps determine angles of impact, speed, and other key details.
Anyone involved in a motorcycle accident is strongly encouraged to seek the advice of a California law firm that focuses on motorcycle accidents and injuries and has real experience with accident reconstruction. Amerberg Law Group is well-equipped to represent your case and work toward an efficient, favorable resolution.
