A fatal car accident investigation aims to uncover the cause of the crash and identify who is at fault. If you lost a loved one in such a tragedy, you might be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim. A skilled car accident lawyer can help you navigate this complex process and fight for maximum compensation. Understanding how fatal accident investigations work can help you know what to expect.
How Are Fatal Car Accidents Investigated?
When a fatal car accident occurs, law enforcement officers are typically the first on the scene. Their job is to secure the area, provide emergency aid, and begin an initial investigation. The standard steps in a fatal car accident investigation include:
- Scene Assessment: Officers secure the scene, assess the situation, and provide emergency medical assistance to anyone who needs it.
- Information Collection: They document key details, including driver and witness statements, photographs, vehicle positions, road conditions, and visible injuries.
- Accident Report Creation: Officers compile all gathered information into a detailed crash report, typically submitted within 10 days.
What Does the Accident Investigation Report Include?
The information typically included in an accident report includes the date and time of the accident and its location. It also includes names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance details about the people involved, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. It will have identifying information about witnesses, statements from parties and witnesses, and details about medical attention given to any person involved, including whether anyone died at the scene. The report can also have details of damage to the vehicles, violations of law if any, a diagram of the accident, and conditions at the time of the accident which may have contributed. The reports are as detailed as possible.
The Role of an Accident Reconstructionist
In complex cases, an accident reconstructionist may be brought in to analyze the crash. These experts use physics and engineering principles to recreate the events leading up to the collision, determining factors like:
- Vehicle speeds and movements
- Points of impact
- Whether drivers could have avoided the crash
- Seatbelt use and airbag deployment
Law enforcement, insurance companies, or legal representatives can hire reconstructionists to establish an accurate version of events.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
What are some common causes of fatal car accidents often identified in car accident investigations? A deadly car crash can be caused by a number of factors, some of which are related to nature and others to people. Understanding what can cause a fatal car accident can prevent future accidents from occurring. Some common reasons fatality accidents happen include:
Weather
Weather can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to drive safely. Slick roads, vision impaired by rain or snow, and flooded roads are just a few examples of weather conditions that can lead to a fatal accident.
Poor Road Conditions
When roads are not properly maintained, it can lead to serious and in some cases, fatal, car accidents. Potholes, cracks, worn down roads, and blocked off roads can all contribute to an accident that could be fatal.
Irresponsible Driving
Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol is illegal, and for a good reason, as these substances can greatly impact a person’s reaction timing and reasoning, thus making them a danger on the road.
Additionally, ignoring traffic laws by speeding, texting and driving, ignoring traffic signs/lights, and driving recklessly can lead to an accident that could claim someone’s life.
Poorly Designed Roads and Intersections
In some cases, the design of the road or intersection can lead to that area being unsafe to drive in. Roads that are too narrow, or that are unclearly marked, and intersections that have heavy traffic but do not have a safe way to maintain that traffic can contribute to unsafe driving conditions that can lead to an accident.
Additionally, not wearing a seatbelt while driving increases the chances of your accident turning fatal.
How Long Does the Fatal Car Accident Investigation Procedure Take?
There is no simple or direct answer or timeline for a fatal crash investigation. It can take anywhere from a few days to two months or more.
Usually, an accident investigation is completed at the scene of the crash. The investigating officer will file the report shortly after. In the case of serious accidents, however, such as those involving fatalities, an accident reconstructionist may be hired. This can take days or weeks to complete. Insurance companies are often allowed 60 days in which to complete an investigation.
It is important to keep in mind that investigators are meticulous because they have to be to determine the full details surrounding a crash. While it can be frustrating to take time, this will ultimately benefit you.
What Factors Can Affect Fatal Car Accident Investigation Timelines?
There are several things that can affect how long a fatal car accident investigation takes. This can include things such as:
- The complexity of your accident: If the accident involves multiple vehicles, a hit-and-run scenario, or the cause is yet to be determined, it can have a significant impact on how long the car accident investigation takes.
- Available resources: Investigators, forensic specialists, and budget are all important to any car accident investigation. If these resources are limited or unavailable, it can greatly impact the fatal car accident investigation timeline.
- Case backlog: In some instances, law enforcement and investigators may be faced with multiple cases, some of which may take priority over your case. When this happens, your case may wind up on the back burner while these other cases are handled.
- Cooperation: In some cases, the involved parties, insurance companies, or witnesses may not wish to cooperate with the investigation. In situations like these, it may take longer for the case to be resolved.
Our law firm conducts our own car accident investigations when we first begin handling a case. Then we compare our own findings to the accident investigations others submit. This helps to ensure that no details are missed.
Understanding the Impact of Car Accidents
In the United States, approximately 42,000 people die in car accidents every year, and more than 4.8 million people are seriously injured. With 412 traffic-related deaths in 2024 alone, and over 100,000 personal injuries, Nevada drivers are some of the worst in the nation.
Common injuries sustained in a fatal car accident leading to death are severe traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding or organ damage, and spinal cord injuries. Severe traumatic brain injuries are the cause of death in nearly half of the fatal car accidents reported. Internal hemorrhage, or blood loss, is the cause of close to a third of fatalities, while internal organ damage leads to a significant number of deaths as well.
What to Do After You’ve Been Involved in a Fatal Car Accident
If you were recently involved in a fatality accident, you probably weren’t thinking clearly right after the crash happened. Maybe you were preoccupied by your own injuries, the death of a loved one, or someone else who was injured. Most likely, you experienced a rush of adrenaline, and you may have even gone into shock. Now that your condition has stabilized and you’e able to think a little clearer, there are some steps you should take in the days following the crash.
- Prioritize Your Physical and Mental Health: Continue to monitor your physical and mental well-being. See your doctor for a follow-up, even if you were treated at the scene.
- Obtain the Police Report: Request a copy of the crash report from the law enforcement agency that responded. This report is critical for insurance claims and any legal action you might take.
- Document Your Experience: Write down everything you remember about the accident while your memory is still fresh. Include details about the events leading up to the crash and any interactions with other drivers or witnesses.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep any photos, videos, or notes you took at the scene. Save copies of your medical records, repair estimates, and any communication with insurance companies.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance provider, but be cautious about giving statements without legal guidance.
- Consult a Wrongful Death Attorney: If you lost a loved one, speak with a car accident lawyer experienced in wrongful death claims. An attorney can help you understand your options and handle communications with insurance companies.
How a Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help
If you lost a loved one in a car accident, a wrongful death lawyer can help you through the process. While the compensation you receive in a successful lawsuit cannot take away the pain you’re going through, it can help alleviate some of the financial stress you and your family members are facing.
By making sure the fatal car accident investigation processes and procedures are followed correctly, all liable parties are identified, and the insurance companies take your case seriously, an experienced car accident lawyer can maximize your settlement.
