Accident Reconstruction

Accident reconstruction is the process of working out how a road collision happened: the speeds, positions, movements and actions of each party in the seconds before and after impact. Specialists combine physical evidence, witness statements and vehicle data to establish the sequence of events, which then informs liability, insurance settlements and prevention.

How a reconstruction is carried out

Reconstruction is usually the work of insurance assessors, police investigators or independent experts. They draw on several sources:

• Physical evidence: vehicle damage, resting positions, debris, tyre marks and road layout.
• Statements: drivers, passengers and witnesses, plus the joint accident report where one was completed.
• Vehicle data: many recent vehicles store a short record of speed, braking and seatbelt use around a crash, read with dedicated tools.
• Trip and location data: a GPS track shows where the vehicle was, at what time, along which route and at roughly what speed.
• Video: dashcam or roadside footage, where available.

Each source has limits. GPS positions are sampled at intervals, so they show the approach to an incident rather than the precise moment of impact. That is why experts cross-check data rather than relying on a single trace.

Why it matters for a business fleet

• Liability: when accounts differ, objective data helps the insurer decide who was at fault, which affects the claim and the fleet's premium.
• Protecting drivers: factual records can support a driver who followed the rules and was wrongly accused.
• Faster claims: a well-documented declaration, submitted quickly with photos and trip details, reduces back-and-forth with the insurer and the time the vehicle stays off the road.
• Prevention: understanding recurring causes, such as a dangerous junction or rushed schedules, feeds accident prevention and driver coaching.

What a fleet should record after an incident

The fleet manager does not reconstruct the accident, but can make sure the facts are not lost: date, time and place, the driver identified for the trip, photos of damage and scene, the joint report, witness details and the trip history for the period. Patterns of driving behaviour such as harsh braking or speeding may also be relevant to the claim and to follow-up training.

How Dadycar helps

Dadycar, a French fleet management software, does not reconstruct accidents, but keeps the information that a claim needs in one place. The claims and fines module records each incident with the vehicle, driver, documents and follow-up until it is closed. Trips and mileage data, collected through telematics without a box on compatible connected vehicles or with an optional box, shows where and when the vehicle travelled. Driver performance and inspection reports complete the file.

FAQ

Who carries out an accident reconstruction?
Usually insurance assessors, police investigators or independent experts appointed by the parties or a court.

Can telematics data be used after an accident?
Yes, as one source among others, provided drivers have been informed of the data collection and its purpose in line with data protection rules.

What should a driver do first after an accident?
Secure the scene, check for injuries, complete the joint report with the other party, take photos and declare the claim to the fleet manager without delay. See also fleet claims management.