Expert Q&A – Car Accident Reconstruction Part 2

Last week, we published the first part of the interview with Thomas Lacek, the car collision expert from Robson Forensic who has more than 30 years experience in auto reconstruction. In the last post, he shares the three collisions most vehicle crashes experience and tells us some basics about car accident investigation. We know many readers cannot wait longer to see the second part. Here you go! In the rest of the interview, Lacek is going to tell us more about the causes of a car crash and some tips to avoid car accidents.

What are the most common reasons that cause vehicle collision?

There are five common factors in a vehicle crash:

• Driver
• Vehicle
• Road
• Weather
• Visibility

 

The biggest factor in crashes is the driver. Too fast for conditions, following too close, not taking the time to look before pulling out, cellphones, including texting, drugs & alcohol, changing lanes without looking, lack of vehicle maintenance to name a few. In today’s world, we are bombarded continuously with information. Smart phones are being about the absolute worst temptation to have in a vehicle. Government and industry response is geared to compensate for inattentiveness and stupidity with technology.

 

A simple example is a full size 4×4 SUV with stability control. Not everything is to be driven like a high performance sports car. I remember seeing a demonstration of a manufacturer’s stability control. The car was being driven at about 55 mph on a city street and a ball comes into the road. With the stability control, evasion occurred, with the expected applause. I stood there wondering: what the hell is someone doing 55 on a city street? This showed that it’s ok to drive that way. Looking at the latest crash data: the number of crashes hasn’t significantly decreased. Death rates have dropped and injury severity has dropped, especially with belted occupants. Speeds have increased.

 

Who do you think need car crash reconstruction services? Why?

Crash reconstruction is commonly done in the legal arena, both civil and criminal. Alcohol & drugs are not uncommon. Speed is commonly an issue. A common result of crash reconstruction is moving money around (Civil – note money is not going to bring someone back or restore their lives) or criminal (keeping someone out of prison, or getting a lesser sentence). Civil also includes insurance (no or reduced payout). Sometimes carriers don’t pay up when they should.

In your over one thousand crash cases, what was the most difficult case to reconstruct?

The current most difficult one involves a 2-vehicle crash where the occupants (kids) of one vehicle burned to death. Bystanders tried to help but were driven away by the fire. Going thru the testimony, you could tell these individuals were still haunted to this day. By far the number one was a 3 year old struck in a nearby city and left in a vegetative state – she looked like my daughter.

 

Do you have any advices for people to avoid vehicle collision? Is there anything you want to add?

The simplest way to avoid a crash is to give yourself time, distance and space. Reduce speed in a work zone – commonly you have less space to move. Speed limits are not a hint or suggestion – they are the maximum speed under ideal conditions. In inclement weather (snow, ice, fog) is that trip really necessary in the first place. Pull over to use the damn cell phone. No texting while behind the wheel.

 

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