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The Overlooked Factor in Crash Cases — VisibilityPart 5: Case Outcomes Shaped by Visibility
Every crash has a story to tell — not just about physics and motion, but about the human element’s interaction with the environment and its influence on a crash. Visibility analysis adds a facet of understanding that is often overlooked. When combined with solid accident reconstruction, visibility evidence will often influence how a case is understood, argued, and resolved. Here are a few examples — drawn from real-world patterns and anonymized for confidentiality — that show

Paul W. Jacobs
Nov 73 min read


The Overlooked Factor in Crash Cases — VisibilityPart 4: How Attorneys Win with a Reconstructionist–Visibility Team
This was the tow truck driver's view of a cyclist 3 seconds away. Once detected, the driver must undergo perception, response and finally bring his truck to a stop, or maneuver around the hazard. Crash cases often hinge on the smallest details — a second of reaction time, a few feet of sight distance, or a moment of glare. Attorneys know that to present a compelling case, every variable must be explained clearly and credibly. That’s why the most successful litigation teams of

Paul W. Jacobs
Oct 313 min read


The Overlooked Factor in Crash Cases — VisibilityPart 3: The Science Behind Visibility Analysis
When attorneys and jurors hear “visibility,” their understanding is intuitive — if it was dark, it was hard to see; if it was daylight, it was easy to see. But analyzing the factors that make something visible are more complex and often require careful explanation. Drawing from physics and human factors science, visibility analysis seeks to objectively answer one of the most important questions in crash litigation: What could have been seen, and when could it have been seen?

Paul W. Jacobs
Oct 243 min read


The Overlooked Factor in Crash Cases — Visibility Part 2: Common Visibility Pitfalls Attorneys and Accident Reconstructionists Overlook
When an attorney first reviews a crash case, it’s easy to focus on the physical evidence: tire marks, point of impact, or vehicle damage. These are tangible and measurable — and they often tell a compelling story. But the visual environment is just as critical. Many crash cases turn on what could or should have been seen, yet visibility issues are frequently misunderstood, oversimplified or overlooked completely. A stopped vehicle in the lane ahead is plainly visible to the d

Paul W. Jacobs
Oct 173 min read


The Overlooked Factor in Crash Cases — Visibility (Part 1: Why Visibility Matters in Accident Reconstruction)
When a serious crash occurs, attorneys often turn to accident reconstructionists for answers. By applying physics, engineering, and...

Paul W. Jacobs
Oct 103 min read
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