Examining Crashes from Every Angle: A Reconstructionist’s Job

Your attorney needs to know “the good, the bad and the ugly” to handle your truck accident case, accident reconstructionist David Myers said.

Experts like Myers play a crucial role in commercial motor vehicle wreck lawsuits. They examine the accident site and the vehicles involved, piece by piece, to determine why a crash occurred.

Failing to hire a reconstructionist — or hiring the wrong one for your case — is a mistake that could jeopardize your case.

In the May episode of After the Crash, David Myers joins host David Craig to explain accident reconstruction, how it affects lawsuits, and the strategies he uses to fully understand a crash.

David Myers: “A Seeker of Fact and Truth”

In 1993, David Myers became a sworn law enforcement officer. He began working crash investigations two years later. As a police officer, Myers was drawn to motor vehicle crashes. This interest pulled his career in a different direction.

He wanted to expand his knowledge, training and experience and hone his skills. Myers explored vehicle downloads, which allow investigators to access data from a car or truck after a wreck occurs. From there, he became an accident reconstructionist with about 3,000 hours of training under his belt.

Myers is now the owner of D.L. Myers & Associates, a crash consulting and investigation firm.

Crash investigators like Myers often work for attorneys as consultants and experts on collision cases. Myers believes it is important that accident reconstructionists avoid bias. He works for plaintiff and defense attorneys and insurance companies on serious commercial motor vehicle cases.

“As an expert witness, you really need to be working for all sides involved,” Myers said. “That way you’re not perceived as favoring one side or the other.”

Myers still serves as a reserve officer for an Indiana police department and is a member of the county’s Fatal Accident Crash Team.

Key Takeaways from Episode 58: The Race for Evidence

The biggest piece of advice Myers has for truck wreck victims and injury attorneys is to act quickly. Urgency is critical after a commercial motor vehicle wreck.

The sooner victims hire attorneys, and the sooner those attorneys contact accident reconstructionists, the better the outcome. After more than a few days, it is likely that the trucking company will have moved the semi, removed evidence from the cab and trailer, manipulated the driver’s statement, etc.

With each passing hour after a wreck, more evidence is lost. Shards of glass are removed from the road. Skid marks fade. Video footage is deleted.

In his decades of experience, Myers has seen countless crash investigations. He has worked for both plaintiff and defense attorneys. He’s learned the dos and don’ts of truck wrecks.

Here are the talking points he emphasized during episode 58.

• You cannot rely on police reports or police investigations after a crash with a semi-truck.

Unless they suspect criminal activity, police conduct surface-level accident investigations. Their job, for better or for worse, is to get the scene cleared up and reopen the roads.

• If possible, hire an attorney within two to three days of a wreck.

Crash reconstructionists will need to visit the site of the wreck to take photographs and videos. Your attorney should send preservation of evidence letters to prevent the vehicles or their parts from being destroyed. These efforts are more likely to succeed if lawyers are hired ASAP.

• Not all investigators are equal. Commercial motor vehicles require special skills.

Some accident reconstructionists are talented, but they are not familiar with commercial motor vehicles. Because of their size, mechanical systems and equipment, semi tractor-trailers and other large trucks must be inspected differently — and more thoroughly — than other vehicles. Myers recently spent 14 hours on one semi tractor-trailer inspection.

After the Crash Podcast: A Legal Resource for Truck Wreck Victims

After the Crash is ranked No. 3 in personal injury podcasts. It is the highest-ranked podcast focusing on personal injury resulting from commercial vehicle wrecks.

The podcast was launched nearly five years ago, in the fall of 2020, by attorney David W. Craig. It educates and empower listeners in a digestible format. It is primarily aimed at the victims and the families of victims of semi or other large truck accidents.

It is David’s goal to equip listeners with the knowledge necessary to navigate this tough time in their lives. Anyone — truck wreck survivors, legal professionals, healthcare workers, and anyone in between — can tune into After the Crash for free.

A new episode is released monthly, featuring a guest with an important perspective. In each episode, David interviews individuals involved in commercial motor vehicle cases, or experts whose skills are crucial to understanding trucking cases.

Episodes are posted on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and the Craig, Kelley & Faultless website.

Injured in a Truck Accident? Craig, Kelley & Faultless Can Help

Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are prepared and have the experience to help victims of commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case.

Their team-centered approach puts client needs at the forefront, and several attorneys will work on your case to achieve the best possible outcome.

Reach out for a free case consultation today at (317) 434-3520 or online.

David W. Craig sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families, written to help people navigate a terrible situation by answering questions that come after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.