Accident reconstruction is an investigative process often used after a car accident to uncover how an accident occurred. Accident reconstruction experts will analyze several different elements such as the car’s positioning, speed, direction of travel, and damage, as well as the skid marks of a vehicle. In this article, we will cover what skid marks are and how they can be used to reveal important information in the accident reconstruction process.
What Are Skid Marks?
Skid marks are the black streaks left behind on the road when a vehicle’s tires lose traction and slide. These marks are typically caused by sudden braking, sharp turns, or a loss of vehicle control. The marks left behind can vary greatly in length, depth, and pattern, all of which reveal different insights regarding what happened. Overall, skid marks play a significant role in helping car accident attorneys and the court piece together the sequence of events that occurred leading up to the accident.
Speed Calculation
One of the first ways in which skid marks may be used in accident reconstruction is to estimate the speed at which the vehicle was driving when the driver applied the brakes. To do this, accident reconstructionists will measure the length of the skid marks and take into account the coefficient of friction between the tires and the surface of the road. In doing this, experts can determine how fast the vehicle was going before it came to a stop, therefore determining whether speeding played a role in the accident.
Determining the Point of Impact
Another insight that skid marks can provide is the point of impact. Accident reconstruction experts will trace the skid marks back to where they began to map out where the vehicle began to skid and compare this to the final position of the vehicle as well as other objects or vehicles. This can also reveal whether a driver attempted to swerve out of the way to potentially avoid a collision from occurring.
Driver Reaction Time
By combining information regarding the distance between where the skid marks started and where the point of impact was, the driver’s reaction time can be determined. If the skid marks are short in length, it may indicate that the driver did not apply their brakes until just before the collision. This may suggest that the driver was distracted, that there were unexpected hazards, or that the driver had impaired judgment. On the other hand, longer skid marks can indicate that the driver became aware of the hazard early on but perhaps did not have adequate control over their vehicle or enough time to avoid it.
Potential Limitations
While skid marks can be extremely valuable in the accident reconstruction process, there is potential room for error and some limitations. First, not all vehicles will leave skid marks, particularly more modern vehicles with anti-lock braking systems (ABS) which prevent tires from locking up. Second, factors such as the condition of the tires, the size and weight of the vehicle, and the presence of debris can also tamper with the interpretation of skid marks. Furthermore, skid marks should not be relied upon alone to reveal why an accident occurred and should instead be used in conjunction with other types of accident reconstruction, police reports, and eyewitness testimony.
