Parties involved in a motor vehicle accident may face criminal liability, civil liability, or both. Since the courts usually decide solely on what they think are the factual questions of who is at fault, it is important to have an in-depth and accurate knowledge of the event. In the case of motor vehicle death, it is important for the forensic pathologist to determine who was driving and to assess driver factors, vehicle factors or environmental factors that might have caused or contributed to the crash.
Forensic pathologist at The Forensic Panel can be called to determine whether the victim was a driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian. By the location and quality of injury, a forensic pathologist also can establish whether the car slowed or attempted to brake. These and other analyses by a forensic pathologist can determine who was at fault and their level of responsibility. In addition, a forensic pathologist checks blood-alcohol levels and the potential presence of illegal drugs in the driver’s system to further assess and determine fault. The complexity of motor vehicle deaths and the issues that arise from them require The Forensic Panel’s peer-review process to ensure diligence and accountability in the investigation.