Accident Reconstruction Expert South Carolina Injury Claim

Proving how an accident happened is key to your injury claim. Insurance companies often try to deny fault, reduce damages, or question what caused the crash. In complex cases, reconstruction experts use science to prove fault and build a stronger case.

At Crantford Meehan, our attorneys know when expert testimony matters most. Both William Crantford and Jerry Meehan are Trial Lawyers College graduates trained to present complex evidence to juries. Their track record includes:

• A $2.35 million settlement for a tractor-trailer crash on I-26
• A $1 million recovery for a passenger hurt in a DUI-related car accident in Florence, SC

What Is Accident Reconstruction and Why Does It Matter?

Accident reconstruction uses science to figure out how a crash happened. Experts apply physics, engineering, and computer models to recreate the events leading up to a wreck. They study evidence like:

• Skid marks and tire tracks
• Vehicle damage patterns
• Debris fields at the scene
• Impact angles and rest positions

This gives your case objective proof that can counter insurer claims and clear up conflicting witness accounts.

In South Carolina injury claims, reconstruction is vital when fault is in dispute or the insurer downplays the severity of the crash. Adjusters may argue a low-speed crash could only cause minor injuries. Reconstruction can prove the actual forces were much greater.

The process also maps out the timeline in multi-vehicle or complex wrecks. By giving clear, science-based answers, experts help juries understand what happened and who is at fault.

When Your South Carolina Injury Case Needs a Reconstruction Expert

Not every case needs a reconstruction expert. But certain situations make expert analysis critical for proving your claim and getting full compensation.

Complex Multi-Vehicle Crashes

In multi-vehicle wrecks, each driver’s insurer tries to shift blame. Reconstruction experts can:

• Pinpoint which vehicle caused the first impact
• Map the chain of events that caused later crashes
• Resolve conflicts between witness statements and the police report
• Show which driver was speeding, failed to brake, or broke traffic laws

High-speed crashes also benefit from this analysis. Experts can calculate how fast each car was going before impact. They do this by studying vehicle damage, skid marks, and final rest positions.

Commercial vehicle wrecks, including truck crashes, often need reconstruction because of the complex rules governing commercial drivers. Federal trucking rules require specific driving practices, and proving a trucker broke these rules may need technical analysis. Trucks also carry electronic data that records speed, braking, and other key details.

Types of Evidence Experts Analyze

Reconstruction experts examine many types of physical and documentary evidence. Here are the main categories:

Physical Evidence at the Scene

Skid marks and tire tracks reveal braking patterns, steering moves, and vehicle paths before impact. Experts measure these marks to figure out pre-crash speeds and whether drivers tried to avoid the wreck. The lack of skid marks can also matter — it may mean a driver was not paying attention.

Debris scatter patterns help determine the point of impact, the direction of force, and the relative speeds of the vehicles. Vehicle damage is a key piece of evidence too. Crush depth, deformation patterns, and structural damage help calculate impact forces and speeds.

Electronic Vehicle Data

Modern vehicles store data about speed, braking, and steering in the moments before a crash. Key data sources include:

• Event data recorders (EDRs) in passenger cars
• Electronic control modules (ECMs) in commercial trucks
• GPS and telematics from fleet management systems

This data gives precise information about how the vehicle was being driven. It often contradicts what the driver claims happened. When data shows a driver failed to brake or steer away from danger, it can prove negligence and support larger damage awards.

How Reconstruction Boosts Your Claim Value

Investing in reconstruction analysis often leads to higher settlements and jury awards. Insurers take cases more seriously when they see you have expert backing. This often leads to better settlement offers before trial.

Here is how expert analysis helps increase your compensation:

• Proves higher impact speeds — This links directly to worse injuries and bigger damage awards
• Supports your medical claims — When an expert confirms the crash forces match your injuries, it strengthens your case for treatment costs and pain and suffering
• Finds hidden liable parties — Analysis may reveal that poor road design, bad signage, or defective vehicle parts also caused the crash
• Deters lowball offers — Insurers know cases with strong expert testimony lead to larger jury verdicts, so they are more willing to negotiate fairly

Reconstruction is especially valuable in cases involving soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or other conditions that insurers like to challenge. Expert analysis can prove the crash forces were enough to cause your specific injuries.

Reconstruction in South Carolina Courts

South Carolina courts have rules about expert testimony that reconstruction professionals must follow. Knowing these rules ensures your expert’s findings will be allowed at trial.

Under South Carolina Rule of Evidence 702, expert witnesses must be qualified by knowledge, skill, training, or experience. Reconstruction experts usually qualify through engineering degrees, training programs, and years of crash analysis.

The expert’s methods must be scientifically reliable. South Carolina courts use Daubert-like factors under State v. Jones to evaluate expert testimony. The methods must be scientifically valid and properly applied to your case facts.

Timing matters too. Scene evidence can fade fast, and vehicles may be fixed or scrapped. Early expert involvement helps preserve key evidence.

Choosing the Right Reconstruction Expert

Picking the right expert impacts how well your case holds up. Key factors to consider:

• Credentials and training — Look for degrees in engineering, physics, or a related field plus ACTAR certification
• Relevant experience — Some experts focus on truck wrecks, others on intersection crashes or pedestrian accidents
• Courtroom experience — An expert who can explain complex findings clearly to a jury is worth more than one who cannot
• Track record — Ask about past cases and whether their testimony has been challenged or excluded

Typical costs range from $150-$250 per hour for basic work to $300-$400+ per hour for complex cases. Retainers often fall between $2,500 and $5,000. Your attorney should weigh these costs against the likely increase in your claim value.

How Insurance Companies Challenge Reconstruction

Insurers use several tactics to attack reconstruction testimony. Knowing these tactics helps your legal team prepare.

Common challenges include:

• Questioning the expert’s qualifications or experience with your type of crash
• Attacking the assumptions in the analysis (vehicle weights, road conditions, reaction times)
• Arguing the expert visited the scene too late and conditions had changed
• Hiring their own expert to provide a conflicting opinion
• Claiming physical evidence (skid marks, damage) was from other events or pre-existing

Strong experts document every assumption and explain why each one is reasonable. They can clearly defend their work under cross-examination. This is why choosing a qualified, experienced expert matters so much.

Why Choose Crantford Meehan for Cases Needing Expert Witnesses

Crantford Meehan brings unique strengths to cases requiring reconstruction testimony.

Both William Crantford and Jerry Meehan are graduates of Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College. They received intensive training in presenting complex evidence and working with expert witnesses.

Their results in complex crash cases show this skill in action:

• A $2.35 million settlement for a tractor-trailer crash — proving the truck driver delayed braking in rain required detailed analysis of the crash sequence
• A $1 million recovery for a DUI-related car accident in Florence, SC — complex liability issues that relied on expert analysis

Both attorneys hold AV ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating for legal ability and ethical standards. Jerry Meehan was also named “Top 10 Under 40” by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys.

The firm handles these cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless they recover money for you. This means you can access top-level expert testimony without upfront costs.

Contact Crantford Meehan at (843) 832-1120 or visit our contact page for a free case review. Our team will evaluate whether reconstruction analysis could help strengthen your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions About Accident Reconstruction

How much does accident reconstruction cost in South Carolina?

Costs range from $3,000 to $15,000 or more. Basic analysis starts around $3,000-$5,000. Complex cases involving computer simulations or multiple vehicles may cost $10,000-$15,000 or more. Most personal injury attorneys advance these costs and recover them from your settlement.

How long does accident reconstruction analysis take?

Timelines vary based on case complexity. A basic analysis may take 2-4 weeks. Complex cases with multiple vehicles or extensive data may take 6-12 weeks. Your attorney should factor this timeline into your overall case strategy.

Can accident reconstruction prove who was at fault?

Yes. Reconstruction experts use physics and engineering to figure out speeds, impact angles, and the sequence of events. Their analysis provides objective, scientific evidence of fault. This can confirm or contradict witness statements and police reports.

What types of accidents benefit most from reconstruction?

These types of cases benefit most:

• Multi-vehicle crashes with disputed fault
• High-speed collisions where speed is questioned
• Hit-and-run cases with limited witness information
• Commercial truck wrecks with electronic data
• Cases where the police report conflicts with physical evidence

Is accident reconstruction testimony admissible in South Carolina courts?

Yes. South Carolina courts allow expert reconstruction testimony under Rule of Evidence 702. The expert must be properly qualified and use scientifically reliable methods. Courts evaluate testimony using Daubert-like factors under State v. Jones.