• Question: how long does it take you to work out what exactly happened in a road accident?

    Asked by natz2136 to Mark on 18 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Mark Hill

      Mark Hill answered on 18 Mar 2011:

      Hello Natz,
      This is a difficult one. It could be a few hours to find a comprehensive answer. For instance a drunk driver who has gone off the road, into a tree and has died. Medical staff may state that he smells of drink, the car may be mechanically sound – steering, brakes, suspension, lights and accelerator all working well – the road may be dry and uncontaminated and witnesses may say that he appeared to be going too fast and drifted wide at the corner, off the road and into the tree. However, sometimes people try to commit suicide by driving dangerously, so rarely are all the answers right there at the scene.

      Usually it takes days later, at best, to cover all of the aspects of a collision to try and find out the reason, or reasons, why.

      Enquiries with vehicle manufacturers, highways agencies, lab tests and witness statements to come in, all take a lot longer to allow me to consider and assimilate into a report. The report is usually in excess of 10 000 words and may be up to 20 000 word, with discussion on evidence, research on scientific papers and final conclusions all being time consuming.

      If I am expected to give my evidence in court, then I have to be really sure and certain of my investigation and findings. That is part of the challenge.

      Good fun.

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