What role does the skid mark serve during an investigation?

The skid mark plays a crucial role in accident investigations by helping to determine the point of initial braking. Skid marks are formed when a vehicle's tires lose traction with the road surface, indicating that the driver applied the brakes forcefully. By analyzing the length and patterns of these skid marks, investigators can establish where the driver began to brake, which is essential for reconstructing the events leading up to a collision.

Determining the point of initial braking allows investigators to gain insights into the driver's actions just prior to the accident, such as whether they were trying to avoid a collision or if they reacted appropriately to a hazardous situation. This information is pivotal for understanding the dynamics of the accident and assessing factors such as speed and distance traveled before the brakes were applied.