Do tire marks in the road provide strong evidence to support my car accident claim?

The tire or skid marks that are left in the road at the scene of a crash can say a lot about how a crash occurred. Depending on the nature of the accident and whether liability is disputed, an in-depth investigation will need to be conducted which may include examination for tire or skid among other clues.

First, the police arrive at the scene of the crash and document the details. A police officer may determine that a crash was caused by negligence simply by observing tire marks in the road. This would be documented in the police report, which can be obtained 10 days after a crash at the Maryland State Police website for a fee of $4.

The police report however is not always sufficient to provide supporting evidence for your claim. That's why it's critical that you consult with an experienced Maryland car accident attorney who can conduct a further investigation. Your attorney may hire a crash reconstruction expert to examine the crash scene.

Taking pictures of the car damage as well as the markings or debris caused by the accident in the immediate area can be invaluable, so make sure you gather this information at the scene via your cellphone camera.

It’s also critical that you consult with an experienced Maryland car accident attorney who can conduct a further investigation. Your attorney may hire a crash reconstruction expert to examine the crash scene.

What do tire marks indicate?

A crash reconstruction expert will examine the tire marks to provide supporting evidence as to how negligence caused or contributed to the crash.

Here are some examples how:

• No tire marks in the road, but significant damage, may indicate that a driver made no attempt to stop to avoid a crash. We often see this with drivers who are distracted, impaired by drugs or alcohol, or who fall asleep at the wheel.
• Long streak of tire marks in the road may indicate that a driver was speeding and made an attempt to stop, but was unable to avoid hitting another car.
• Shorter tire marks may indicate that a driver had very little time and distance to stop. This is common with drivers who take their eyes off the road for even a few seconds.
• Circular or wavy tire marks may indicate that a driver spun out, lost control or was broadsided at an intersection.
• Tire marks from a stopping point (red light or stop sign) may indicate that a driver accelerated too quickly.

Why is this important?

Insurance companies often do everything in their power to avoid paying crash victims for the damages they are entitled to. If you were involved in a crash, they may argue that you were at fault. They may deny any wrongdoing of the other driver. Without the right evidence, it's your word against theirs.

In order to pursue a successful claim, all pieces will need to come together. That includes critical evidence, such as physical evidence from the crash scene, photographs and witness statements. In addition, your attorney will need to accurately determine how much compensation you're entitled. They will examine medical bills and documents, the potential for future long-term care, property damage and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.

An experienced attorney at the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC can then negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement. If a settlement can't be reached, your case may go to trial. The outcome could take several months, but our legal team will fight to help you get every dollar you deserve.

Contact us online to schedule your free and confidential case consultation.