The Traffic Accident Reconstruction Origin -ARnews-

SURVEY - TRAFFIC ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION

Denise Aquilante Johnson (aquilant@pacbell.net)
Fri, 19 Feb 1999 00:57:31 -0500 (EST)

I'm an MBA student at University of Phoenix, San Jose, CA campus. I'm preparing my thesis on traffic accident reconstruction as a start up business. My husband is a police officer and certified reconstructionist. This project will assist us in examining the feasibility of such a venture.

I'm looking for feedback from reconstructionists who provide reconstruction services as a stand-alone business. I would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes and answer the following questions; it should only take about 5 minutes to complete.

Thanks for your anticipated reply. I'll be writing an article for TARO which will review the results of the survey for one of the upcoming issues.

Denise Aquilante Johnson

1) How long have you been in business:
a) 0 - 2 years
b) 2 - 4 years
c) 4 - 6 years
d) 6+ years

2) Which best describes your practice:
a) Solo practice
b) Group practice
c) Other:________________

3) Are you ACTAR certified:
a) Yes
b) No
c) I have other certification in accident reconstruction

4) Which best describes your background:
a) Law Enforcement
b) Engineering
c) Both
d) Other

5) Which collision analysis services do you provide:
a) Speed determination in ABS equipped or electronically stabilized vehicles
b) Driver perception/reaction analysis
c) Time and distance studies
d) Vehicle inspections
e) Speed estimates based on vehicle damage
f) Staged/fraudulent collisions
g) Right-of-way issues
h) Low speed impact
i) Biomechanical analysis of injuries
j) Occupant/pedestrian kinematics
k) Seatbelt and airbag analysis
l) Collision report accuracy/critique
m) Vehicle/scene photography
n) DUI-Involved collisions
o) Computer generated collision simulations

6) Which three of the above services account for 80% of your cases:
a) _____________________
b) _____________________
c) _____________________

7) How do you market for new cases:
a) Word of mouth
b) Brochure mailings
c) Advertising in journals
d) Advertising on Internet
e) Through related work (i.e. teaching)
f) Through speaking at seminars

8) What is the single best way to market - what gets you the most cases:
a) _______________________

9) If you are working reconstruction full time, how long did it take to be able to get the practice to a full time level of clients:
a) 0 - 2 years
b) 2 - 4 years
c) 4 - 6 years
d) 6+ years
10) Which five of the following success factors do you think are most important:
a) Develop your client list before you leave your current position
b) Start the business on a part time basis
c) Have money saved to cover times when business is slow
d) Have a side income of some sort, such as from teaching safety classes, to cover times when business is slow
e) Always use a service agreement/contract with your clients
f) Don't compromise your principles for the client
g) Take training in operating a small business
h) Have certification in accident reconstruction
i) Have a solid marketing plan and work the plan
j) _________________________
k) _________________________
l) _________________________

11) What words of wisdom do you have for working in this business?

Denise Aquilante Johnson
aquilant@pacbell.net

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