Crash Causation Analysis in DUI and Personal Injury Litigation
Overview
In both DUI and personal injury cases, crash causation is often misunderstood or oversimplified. Attorneys benefit from a clear, technical breakdown of what actually caused a collision, whether impairment played a role, and how the physical evidence supports or contradicts the officer’s narrative.
As a DUI and collision consultant based in Arlington, WA, Zachary Marshall evaluates crash dynamics with a structured, evidence driven approach. Attorneys frequently contact Zach when they need precise insight into whether a collision resulted from impairment, driver behavior, roadway conditions, or unrelated external factors.
Through Legal Limit Consulting, LLC, he provides detailed causation reviews tailored for both criminal defense and personal injury litigation.
The Importance of Causation in DUI and PI Cases
Crash involvement does not automatically prove impairment.
Attorneys routinely face reports where the officer’s assumption of impairment is tied to the presence of a collision rather than a factual analysis of what caused it.
Key questions include:
Did the driver have an opportunity to avoid the collision
Did environmental elements contribute
Were there mechanical or roadway issues
Was another driver or pedestrian’s behavior the primary factor
Does the timeline support the state’s impairment argument
Do the crash mechanics align with the officer’s conclusions
A structured causation review clarifies these issues and often reveals significant gaps in the original investigation.
Pre Impact Vehicle Dynamics
Before any collision, the vehicles involved follow predictable physical patterns. Zachary reviews:
Lane position and trajectory
Pre impact speed estimates
Position of other vehicles
Driver response and reaction time
Whether evasive action was possible
Roadway curvature and sight lines
Understanding what happened in the seconds leading to impact is crucial for both DUI and PI strategy.
Environmental and Roadway Conditions
Environmental conditions frequently contribute to collisions and must be considered before attributing causation to impairment. Zach evaluates:
Roadway slope and elevation
Visibility and lighting
Weather conditions
Surface contamination
Gravel, debris, or lane narrowing
Traffic congestion or sudden stops
These factors often explain the collision better than any alleged impairment.
Driver Behavior and Avoidance Opportunities
A driver who does not attempt avoidance is often assumed to be impaired, but this is not always accurate. Zach reviews:
Timing of hazard appearance
Speed differential
Lane availability
Opportunity for braking or steering
Reaction time and response windows
In many cases, the driver had no meaningful chance to avoid the collision regardless of impairment.
Scene and Vehicle Evidence
Crash causation is often proven or disproven by the physical evidence. Zachary analyzes:
Final rest positions
Crush profiles
Damage patterns
Tire marks or lack of tire marks
Airbag deployment sequencing
Point of impact location
Debris field distribution
The physical evidence frequently contradicts simplified officer narratives.
Impairment Versus Causation
One of the most common errors in DUI crash investigations is assuming that impairment caused the crash simply because both occurred. Zach highlights:
Collisions caused by other drivers
Collisions caused by environmental conditions
Collisions caused by sudden hazards
Collisions unrelated to alcohol or drugs
Behavior consistent with sober drivers in similar conditions
Distinguishing between impairment and causation is often essential for negotiation or trial.
Application in Personal Injury Litigation
Personal Injury (PI) attorneys often contact Zach because crash reports frequently contain:
Incorrect assumptions
Missing context
Poor articulation and jargon
Lack of physical evidence analysis
Misinterpretation of driver behavior
A clear causation analysis helps PI attorneys establish liability and understand how officer conclusions may affect the civil case.
Why Attorneys Rely on This Analysis
Whether representing a DUI defendant or a PI client, attorneys turn to Zachary Marshall because his reviews provide:
Objective, technical insight
Clear identification of investigative errors
Physics based analysis that strengthens argument structure
Reliable clarification of causation versus impairment
Reports that integrate seamlessly into motions, negotiation, and trial themes
His structure and neutrality make his causation evaluations highly effective across multiple case types.
Contact
For crash causation analysis, DUI evaluation, or personal injury case support, contact:
Zachary Marshall
Founder and Lead Consultant
Legal Limit Consulting, LLC
Arlington, Washington
Phone: (425) 224 5149
Email: Z.Marshall@LegalLimitConsulting.com
Website: www.LegalLimitConsulting.com
