[Toshihiro Wakayama’s Column] A Third-Party Organization is Vital for Traffic Accident Investigations

[Motorcycle Journalist] Toshihiro Wakayama

The Importance of Correct Accident Investigation

We often get news on motorcycle accidents and the first thing that comes across my mind is symphysis; and sorrow when the rider has died.

To be honest with you, I can’t stop feeling hatred toward the perpetrator. I also try to take advantage of these accidents as a lesson to avoid them myself.
I also wonder whether correct accident investigation and appropriate compensation has taken place.

It might be because I have been in charge of accident investigations for three times. My clients were either the rider’s family, lawyer or attorney who were dissatisfied with the statement from the perpetrator side and wanted to submit a rebuttal statement.

Poor Statement from the Perpetrator

Statements from the perpetrator side is usually bad. Facts are distorted in order to reduce punishment. The statement written by the police amazed me because it was so poor it was like a physics report written by a high school student.

The worst one stated that the motorcycle crashed into the truck that was coming out from a parking lot. This was a case that the attorney brought to me. The lawyer of the truck driver’s story was that the motorcycle was running so fast he didn’t notice it.

Deceleration Calculation Based on a MotoGP Rider!?

According to the perpetrator’s statement, the rider used his brakes with braking speed calculated from the latest bikes mounted with latest tires and driven by best driver. In other words, deceleration calculation was taken from a Moto GP racer on a Moto GP machine mounted with Moto GP tires making a quick stop on a Moto GP course. The statement showed that in this case the motorcycle was running at enormously high speed and therefore there was negligence on the motorcycle side.

The person who made the statement was to my shame a professor of a National University. In the rebuttal statement, I calculated a legitimate initial velocity and stated that the deceleration calculation in the perpetrator’s statement was ridiculous and that they were manipulating physics to join the flats.

The professor made a rebuttal statement against me that said between the lines that I was only a nonprofessional howling from a distance.
This made me lapse into a disconsolate mood but the attorney cheered me up saying “Your rebuttal statement will be effective material in court”. These words saved me.

Don’t Let them Distort the Facts

In air, railway and marine accidents a third party organization takes charge with research. This is required for traffic accidnets as well. I’m happy to hear that recently nonofficial third party research agencies have inaugurated. It would be better to have public institutions.

You never know when you’ll get involved in a car accident. Keep in mind that facts can be distorted.