When an accident occurs, determining what happened and why is critical for insurance companies, legal teams, and law enforcement. One of the most effective ways to uncover the truth is through a comprehensive vehicle inspection. At Garrett Forensics, our experts—many of whom come from law enforcement backgrounds—conduct meticulous examinations of vehicles involved in incidents, gathering crucial data to reconstruct the accident accurately and assess liability.
Why Vehicle Inspections Matter
A vehicle inspection is much more than a visual assessment of damage. It is a scientific approach to accident reconstruction, allowing experts to:
Determine the root cause of the accident
Assess the extent and severity of vehicle damage
Identify mechanical failures or pre-existing issues
Analyze occupant injury potential based on structural integrity
Verify if the damage is consistent with the claimed accident scenario
This process is essential in differentiating legitimate claims from fraudulent ones and providing a fact-based analysis for legal and insurance proceedings.
The Vehicle Inspection Process
1. Comprehensive Physical Examination
Garrett Forensics’ experts perform a detailed inspection of all involved vehicles, documenting visible and underlying damage. This includes:
Exterior and Interior Damage Analysis – Identifying impact points, crumple zones, and potential secondary collisions.
Mechanical and Electrical System Checks – Assessing whether a mechanical failure (brakes, steering, or suspension) contributed to the crash.
Tire and Wheel Examination – Evaluating tire tread depth, alignment, skid marks, and potential blowouts that may have influenced vehicle control.
2. Photographic and Measurement Documentation
Accurate documentation is crucial for court cases and insurance claims. Our investigators capture:
High-resolution photographs of damage from multiple angles.
Detailed measurements of crush damage, structural deformation, and intrusion levels.
Vehicle positioning data, showing final resting locations relative to roadway features.
This data forms the foundation for accurate accident reconstruction and damage consistency evaluations.
3. Crush Damage and Structural Deformation Analysis
A key aspect of vehicle inspections is crush damage analysis, which helps determine:
The severity of impact
The amount of force (g-force) exerted on the vehicle and occupants
Delta-V (change in velocity), a critical factor in assessing injury potential
By examining the deformation patterns, experts can recreate the accident scenario and determine if the claimed injuries align with the forces involved.
4. Event Data Recorder (EDR) Download
Modern vehicles contain an Event Data Recorder (EDR), often referred to as a “black box.” This system captures valuable crash-related data, such as:
Speed at the time of impact
Brake and throttle application
Steering input and airbag deployment
Seatbelt usage and occupant positioning
By integrating EDR data with physical inspections, experts can provide a scientific assessment of how the accident unfolded.
5. Damage Consistency Analysis
In many cases, insurance companies need to verify if the damage to a vehicle is consistent with the reported accident. Our experts compare:
Impact forces against known crash test data
Damage patterns with the reported collision sequence
Potential fraudulent claims, such as staged accidents or pre-existing damage
Through damage consistency analysis, we ensure that only legitimate claims are validated.
Why Choose Garrett Forensics?
At Garrett Forensics, our accident reconstruction experts are often drawn from the ranks of law enforcement, bringing decades of real-world investigative experience to every case. Their background in collision analysis, evidence collection, and forensic investigation makes them uniquely qualified to assess vehicle damage with precision and accuracy.
Conclusion
Vehicle inspections are a critical component of accident reconstruction, providing factual evidence that can make or break a claim. At Garrett Forensics, our law enforcement-trained experts employ advanced forensic techniques to analyze every detail, from crush damage to mechanical failures and EDR data, ensuring an accurate and scientifically backed assessment of each case.
For trusted forensic vehicle inspections, contact Garrett Forensics at (562) 997-3013 or visit www.garrettforensics.com today.
https://garrettforensics.com/insurers/california-auto-accident-reconstruction/
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