Daytona Beach Accident Reconstruction Lawyer
Retired Traffic Homicide Investigator. Accident Reconstruction Expert. Trial Attorney.
Most car accident lawyers review police reports.
Patrick J. McGeehan helped write them.
Most personal injury attorneys hire accident reconstruction experts.
Patrick spent years serving as a traffic homicide investigator and accident reconstructionist before becoming a lawyer.
Before entering private practice, Patrick investigated fatal crashes, serious bodily injury accidents, DUI-related fatalities, police vehicle collisions, commercial vehicle crashes, and complex traffic homicide cases. Today, he uses that experience to represent individuals and families whose lives have been changed by serious motor vehicle accidents throughout Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Flagler County, and Central Florida.
When liability is disputed, when serious injuries are involved, or when an insurance company refuses to accept responsibility, accident reconstruction often becomes one of the most important tools available to uncover the truth.
What Is Accident Reconstruction?
Accident reconstruction is the scientific process of determining how and why a motor vehicle collision occurred.
Using physical evidence, engineering principles, vehicle dynamics, roadway analysis, and investigative techniques, accident reconstruction helps answer critical questions such as:
- How fast was each vehicle traveling?
- Who had the right of way?
- When did braking occur?
- Could the collision have been avoided?
- Was driver distraction involved?
- Did impairment contribute to the crash?
- Did vehicle defects play a role?
- What caused the collision?
These questions frequently determine who is legally responsible for a crash and how much compensation may be available to injured victims.
Why Accident Reconstruction Matters
Insurance companies often make decisions based upon incomplete information.
In many cases, adjusters never visit the crash scene.
They never inspect the vehicles.
They never interview witnesses.
Instead, they rely heavily on police reports and limited documentation.
Unfortunately, important facts are sometimes overlooked.
Accident reconstruction helps uncover evidence that may not be immediately obvious.
A thorough reconstruction can reveal:
- Speed before impact
- Driver reaction times
- Vehicle movements
- Sight-distance issues
- Roadway defects
- Failure to yield
- Improper lane changes
- Driver impairment
- Commercial vehicle violations
In serious injury and wrongful death cases, these details can dramatically affect the outcome of a claim.
Why Patrick J. McGeehan’s Background Is Different
Many attorneys learn accident reconstruction by reading expert reports.
Patrick learned accident reconstruction by conducting investigations.
As a retired traffic homicide investigator and accident reconstructionist, Patrick spent years investigating serious and fatal motor vehicle crashes.
His responsibilities included:
- Fatal crash investigations
- DUI-related fatalities
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Police vehicle crashes
- Pedestrian fatalities
- Motorcycle fatalities
- Critical injury crashes
- Vehicle examinations
- Scene documentation
- Court testimony
He understands how crash investigations are conducted because he conducted them himself.
That experience provides insight that cannot be learned solely through litigation.
Experience Investigating Fatal Crashes
Few events are more devastating than a fatal motor vehicle accident.
When a death occurs, the investigation often becomes far more detailed than a routine crash investigation.
Questions must be answered.
Evidence must be preserved.
Liability must be established.
Patrick’s experience investigating traffic homicides provides unique insight into:
- Fatal crash causation
- Driver conduct
- Vehicle dynamics
- Speed analysis
- Witness credibility
- Scene evidence
- Crash reconstruction techniques
This experience can be particularly valuable in wrongful death litigation.
Commercial Truck Accident Reconstruction
Truck accident cases often involve complex issues that do not exist in ordinary automobile collisions.
Commercial trucking cases may require analysis of:
- Driver logbooks
- Hours-of-service violations
- Electronic control modules
- Event data recorders
- Driver fatigue
- Cargo issues
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Federal safety regulations
Commercial carriers frequently deploy rapid response teams immediately after serious crashes.
Their investigators begin gathering evidence almost immediately.
Accident victims deserve representation from someone who understands how these investigations work and how critical evidence can affect a case.
Motorcycle Accident Reconstruction
Motorcycle crashes frequently involve disputes regarding visibility, speed, lane position, and driver perception.
Insurance companies often attempt to place blame on motorcyclists regardless of the facts.
Accident reconstruction can help establish:
- Vehicle paths
- Closing speeds
- Visibility conditions
- Driver reaction opportunities
- Impact dynamics
These issues frequently become central to motorcycle injury and wrongful death claims.
Pedestrian And Bicycle Accident Cases
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents often produce catastrophic injuries.
Reconstruction may be necessary to determine:
- Vehicle speed
- Pedestrian location
- Driver visibility
- Lighting conditions
- Driver reaction time
- Avoidability
These cases frequently involve serious disputes concerning fault and causation.
Wrongful Death Cases
When a family loses a loved one in a motor vehicle crash, the consequences extend far beyond medical bills and property damage.
Wrongful death claims often involve:
- Loss of support
- Loss of companionship
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses
- Future economic losses
Establishing liability is often the first and most important step.
Accident reconstruction frequently plays a critical role in proving what actually happened.
Black Box And Electronic Evidence
Modern vehicles often contain valuable electronic evidence.
This information may include:
- Vehicle speed
- Brake application
- Steering inputs
- Seatbelt usage
- Throttle position
- Impact data
Commercial trucks may contain additional electronic information regarding:
- Hours of service
- Driver activity
- GPS tracking
- Vehicle performance
Preserving this evidence quickly is often essential.
Common Causes Of Serious Crashes
Patrick represents clients injured in accidents involving:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Impaired driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
- Failure to yield
- Red light violations
- Commercial trucking negligence
- Unsafe lane changes
Every case requires a detailed investigation tailored to the specific facts involved.
Common Insurance Company Mistakes
Insurance companies sometimes make assumptions before all evidence is available.
Common problems include:
- Incomplete investigations
- Failure to interview witnesses
- Overreliance on police reports
- Misinterpretation of physical evidence
- Failure to preserve electronic data
- Improper fault assessments
A thorough independent investigation can often reveal facts that change the entire case.
The Importance Of Early Investigation
Evidence disappears quickly.
Vehicles are repaired.
Roadway conditions change.
Witnesses become difficult to locate.
Electronic data may be overwritten.
The sooner an attorney becomes involved, the greater the opportunity to preserve critical evidence.
Early investigation can make a significant difference in the outcome of a claim.
Why Hire A Retired Traffic Homicide Investigator?
Many attorneys understand personal injury law.
Far fewer understand accident reconstruction.
Even fewer have spent years investigating fatal crashes before becoming lawyers.
Patrick’s unique background includes experience as:
- Retired Traffic Homicide Investigator
- Accident Reconstructionist
- Court-Certified Expert Witness
- Police Instructor
- Trial Attorney
- Personal Injury Lawyer
This combination of experience allows him to evaluate cases from both an investigative and legal perspective.
Serving Daytona Beach, Volusia County, And Flagler County
Patrick represents accident victims throughout:
- Daytona Beach
- Port Orange
- Ormond Beach
- New Smyrna Beach
- DeLand
- Palm Coast
- Bunnell
- Flagler Beach
- Volusia County
- Flagler County
Whether the case involves a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle collision, pedestrian injury, wrongful death claim, or disputed liability investigation, he brings decades of investigative experience to every case.
Contact A Daytona Beach Accident Reconstruction Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, do not assume the insurance company’s version of events is accurate.
The facts matter.
The evidence matters.
The investigation matters.
As a retired traffic homicide investigator, accident reconstruction expert, and trial attorney, Patrick J. McGeehan understands how serious crashes are investigated and how liability is proven.
Contact the Law Offices of Patrick J. McGeehan, P.A. today to schedule a consultation and learn how an experienced accident reconstruction lawyer can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Resources:
Leaving the Scene of an Accident With a Death
Fatal Crash Investigations in Florida