You have been hired as an expert witness by an attorney for a trial involving a traffic accident.
Analysis of Traffic Accident Case
To provide effective advice to the attorney, it is crucial to thoroughly analyze the available evidence, consult accident reconstruction experts, assess witness credibility, and consider other relevant factors.
Case Details
Based on the given information, the attorney's client (the plaintiff) was traveling eastbound towards an intersection at a speed of 12.6 m/s, as measured by a roadside speed meter and witnessed by a trustworthy individual. The plaintiff's car was struck by the defendant, who was traveling northbound. The collision caused the vehicles to stick together and leave parallel skid marks at an angle of 58.4° north of east, as determined by accident investigators.
Advice to the Attorney
- Determine the speed of the defendant: By analyzing the skid marks and the collision, accident reconstruction experts can calculate the speed of the defendant's vehicle at the time of impact to establish liability.
- Assess the credibility of the trustworthy witness: Gather more information about the witness's perspective, positioning, and visibility to evaluate the reliability of their testimony.
- Analyze the physics of the collision: Use principles of momentum and energy conservation to determine the forces involved in the impact.
- Consider other evidence: Gather additional evidence like photographs or expert testimonies to support or refute the defendant's claim.
Conclusion
To provide effective advice to the attorney, thoroughly analyze the evidence, consult experts, assess witness credibility, and consider relevant factors to determine the speed of the defendant's vehicle and establish liability in the case.
Since the respondent professed to be inside the 35 mi/h speed limit, what advice do you give to the attorney? The defendant was traveling 27.46 mi/h.