| If an automotive or other vehicle or | | | | results of the accident survey include an |
| roadway-related accident has recently happened, | | | | AutoCAD drawing or a 3D, 360 degree simulation |
| you may need to have an accident survey | | | | view of the accident site. This allows viewers to |
| conducted. In many cases, the highway patrol | | | | understand the accident site quite accurately. |
| officers themselves may use surveying | | | | Accident surveys utilize specialized equipment that |
| equipment at the scene of an accident for their | | | | allows the taking of measurements without |
| own records. For example, the California Highway | | | | requiring the closing of the road. In many cases, |
| Patrol has purchased several ScanStations and | | | | the surveying equipment can be placed at the |
| Total Stations for surveying use. In these | | | | side of the road and does not obstruct traffic or |
| situations, the equipment is most often used | | | | require surveyors to set foot in the road. |
| directly following the accident, before the | | | | Every item within the accident area is covered by |
| roadway has been re-opened to traffic. For | | | | the surveyors, from utility poles and even the |
| highway patrol purposes, the focus is on quickly, | | | | wires hanging between the poles to sidewalks, |
| accurately, and completely documenting the scene | | | | driveways, and potholes. Important roadway |
| so that the roadway may be reopened. | | | | features such as width and slopes are also shown, |
| When it comes to accident surveys, clients | | | | with the degree of accuracy necessary to solve |
| including insurance or law enforcement agencies | | | | nearly any dispute. If the vehicles involved in the |
| may require such a survey as part of their | | | | accident are still in position, the accident survey |
| investigative process. In other cases, the person | | | | also measures their precise location. In essence, |
| involved in the accident will hire a surveyor to | | | | the finished product is the accident scene in its |
| conduct the accident survey. | | | | entirety, exactly as it appears in real life. |
| The results produced can be used in court to | | | | The evidence obtained through accident surveying |
| show the scene of the accident. An accident | | | | can be crucial to an insurance or legal case, or in |
| survey may become necessary for your | | | | supporting or disproving a causation theory. The |
| insurance company or to fight any court case | | | | resulting images are surprisingly realistic, and show |
| ensuing from the accident. In the best case | | | | every detail necessary to reconstruct the |
| scenario, the surveyor arrives before you have | | | | accident. In fact, the digital information collected |
| left the scene and before anything has been | | | | by the accident survey can be used to create a |
| towed away. An accident survey completed after | | | | simulation of the accident itself through computer |
| the accident has been cleared may or may not | | | | or video reenactments. This reenactment relies |
| be helpful, depending on the situation. For official | | | | not only on the on-scene observations and |
| purposes, these surveys be done by licensed | | | | accident survey measurements but also on the |
| surveyors. | | | | crash report and crash tests showing the results |
| During an accident survey, a surveying team | | | | at various angles, allowing accurate reconstruction |
| accurately measures the site of the accident, with | | | | of the accident given the resulting scene. |
| a margin of error of just a few millimeters. The | | | | |