Who Investigates Car Crashes in New Hampshire?
After a car crash in New Hampshire, you may wonder who is responsible for investigating your incident. Who determines the root cause of your accident? What if a driver fled the scene? Who is responsible for finding this individual? How do these investigators determine the facts? These are all valid questions, especially if you want to achieve a sense of justice after suffering injuries. An experienced New Hampshire car accident lawyer may be able to shed light on this subject.
The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit
The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction (CAR) Unit is one law enforcement organization that could play a role in investigating vehicle accidents. It is a branch of the New Hampshire State Police, and it focuses on “complex and serious” car crashes in the state.
According to the State Police, this unit includes troopers with “advanced and specialized training.” To be part of the CAR Unit, troopers must complete 240 hours of training in advanced collision reconstruction. Once they join, troopers can specialize in specific areas of crash reconstruction. These areas include pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and motorcycle accidents.
Some troopers in this unit focus on occupant kinematics. Others focus on the inspection of damaged vehicles in order to find clues and evidence. New technology, such as drone mapping, makes crash scene reconstruction easier than ever before. Another older form of technology is video footage, and some troopers in this unit specialize in analyzing this footage.
Remember, the CAR Unit only investigates the most serious crashes in New Hampshire. As a result, this unit may not investigate your specific accident. Instead, other law enforcement organizations may take on this responsibility. The New Hampshire State Police state that this unit only takes on about 60 investigations per year.
You Can Play a Role in the Investigative Process
As an injured motorist, you can also play a role in this investigative process. While you should prioritize your health after an accident, you may have the opportunity to snap a few photos or videos of your crash scene. You might also take note of the license plate numbers, colors, and models of the vehicles involved in your collision.
After your injuries stabilize, you may have the opportunity to speak with law enforcement about your observations. You might also have the chance to provide officers with your video footage or photographs. This might be particularly important if you were involved in a hit-and-run. Your evidence and testimony could help law enforcement track down the person responsible for causing your injuries.
Can a New Hampshire Auto Accident Lawyer Help Me Investigate My Crash?
Crash scene investigators are often quite efficient. They can analyze crash scenes with a variety of tools and methods, and this should be enough to determine the basic facts. That being said, you can also contribute to this investigative process with photographs, videos, and your own witness testimony. In addition, a New Hampshire auto accident lawyer may be able to help you gather evidence. Contact Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC today to learn more about the next steps.
Source:
nhsp.dos.nh.gov/our-services/field-operations-bureau/collision-analysis-and-reconstruction-car-unit
