How The Point of Impact Helps Explain a Car Accident

In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, obvious injuries and damage to the vehicles are usually the focus of attention, along with the drivers' remarks. One other detail, however, can assist a lawyer grasp the way a collision came about: the point of impact. Determining the initial point of contact helps to place context on the location of both vehicles, their direction of travel and action prior to the collision. It can also be used to shed light on the damage to certain parts of the vehicles.

A Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer can review the site of the collision, the photos, the damage to the cars, the debris, roadway markings, witnesses, and the available video evidence. The place of the initial contact does not automatically prove who's at fault, but it can assist the lawyer determine whether the physical evidence is in line with the various versions of events. This will be beneficial in cases where the drivers disagree on the lane positions, whether they are making a turn or what happened just prior to the crash.

Determining the Initial Point of Impact

Point of impact, in general, is the area of the first impact of the vehicles. It can be more difficult than it seems to identify that location, especially if vehicles are moving after impact.

Attorneys can check a number of physical clues, such as:

Vehicle damage
Parts or fragments that have been broken off
Fluid spills
Tire marks
Gouges or marks in the roadway.
The final position of the vehicles are shown in the diagram
Damage of property around the subject

Where debris is found can sometimes assist investigators in determining where contact may have occurred, but later vehicle travel or weather can cause debris to move. The point on impact can then be used as a reference to recreate the events that had taken place just before and after impact.

Reviewing Vehicle Actions Before the Accident

The point of impact can also be useful to attorneys in determining the vehicles' positioning just before impact.

This can be especially relevant when it comes to an accident that involves:

Lane changes
Intersections
Left or right turns
Merging traffic
Rear-end collisions
Proximity to driveways, entrance or exit to the property
Multi-vehicle crashes

For instance, if two cars involved in an accident are driving in opposite directions through an intersection, the point of impact could help to establish the relative position of the two cars when the accident happened.

Likewise, the type of collision may yield clues as to the relationship between the vehicles at the moment of impact in a lane change collision. Attorneys can use this evidence as a reference to lane markings, traffic signals, photos, and witness statements.

It's not just about finding out where the cars went! It's important to know their orientation before and at the time of first contact.

Tracing Vehicle Positions Before the Collision

If the wreck is complex, it could be due to multiple impacts. A car might hit another car, and then hit a barrier, another car, a sign or any other road-side object. This makes a key difference between the first impact point and those of subsequent impacts.

Attorneys can try to ascertain:

What was the crash car that was involved?
The location of the first contact
If either vehicle moved afterwards or not
Whether another collision ensued
Determine if there was an impact of roadside objects
The results of the sequence on the final vehicle locations

This can help to avoid the final crash site being confused with the original crash site.

For example, a vehicle that has been pushed or turned off of course by a previous collision could stop against a guardrail. It might be misleading to consider only what it is currently located in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the point of impact in a car accident?

It is typically the first area of contact between vehicles or other objects. This could be different from the final destination of the cars.

Why is the point of impact important?

It can assist lawyers in looking at the positions of cars, direction of travel, sequence of collision and if the physical evidence matches the drivers' or witnesses' statements.

Will the point of impact be a fault?

Not by itself. It can be presented as one piece of evidence to be taken into consideration with vehicle damage, pictures, witness statements, roadway evidence and more.

What can be done to use vehicle damage to pinpoint the impact point?

The sites and type of damage may indicate the point of contact between the vehicles. Physical evidence such as paint transfer, broken parts, scrapings, etc., can also be used in the investigation.

If there were several impacts, what would happen?

Attorneys can differentiate the first impact and subsequent impacts. Determining the sequence can aid in understanding the order of events that occurred after the crash and the reason why vehicles or objects were placed in specific positions.

Does the place of the accident alter the way in which the accident is perceived?

It can. The impact location combined with other evidence may also show that the vehicle location or movement was not the same as was initially thought to be the cause of the crash.

Conclusion

The location where the accident occurred can be a valuable clue if reconstructing a car accident. It could be useful to attorneys when determining the location of the vehicles, determining if another impact occurred after the first, and compare physical evidence to various accounts that may be given by those involved. The point of impact should not be taken in isolation as vehicles may travel significantly after impact. Evidence from photographs, damage patterns, roadway conditions, witness observations, and video footage can also give context and help to detail a full sequence of events.

If you have a disputed or complicated accident, it is essential to maintain the evidence and get the right legal advice. The Levin Firm can help you go over the details of a vehicle accident and analyze the proof that could apply to your case.