We provide reconstructions of many accident types, including car, pedestrian, farm equipment, motorcycle, and snowmobile.
We have extensive experience and specialized training in the investigation of motor vehicle accidents. The process often involves examination of damaged vehicles and an analysis of vehicle defects, seatbelt usage and documentation of vehicle damage. The next step is a site examination to document the roadway, and identify any deficiencies in road design, maintenance, or signage.
This is followed by research on such items as vehicle recalls, service history on the vehicle, municipal road maintenance procedures, and medical reports on occupant injuries.
The data is then analyzed to reconstruct vehicle motions prior to impact, with speed and angles of travel determined. This can answer liability questions such as which vehicle crossed the center line, which vehicle was speeding, was the vehicle serviced improperly, was the roadway defective, were signs in compliance with standards, and many more.
We can determine occupant forces as a result of the impact, and whether injuries are consistent with those forces. This is often a question in low speed rear end impacts, where whiplash injuries are claimed. This analysis can help fight fraudulent claims, which are frequent in this type of collision.
Seatbelts save lives, but only when they are worn. We can determine if the occupants were restrained by the seatbelts at the time of the accident. If not we can report on probable injury outcomes if they had been restrained. Unrestrained occupants will normally have a contributory negligence, resulting in a reduction in the injury claim.
Vehicle components such as airbags, tires, brakes, steering systems, etc. can be inspected in detail when it is suspected that a malfunction existed due to design or maintenance defects. This can lead to a product liability suit or a subrogation action.
We can remove and download the data from on-board electronic data storage units in newer vehicles, or interpret the data downloaded by police investigators. This data can be useful in determining vehicle speed, braking actions and seatbelt usage.
A full road design analysis may be required, to determine if design engineers have complied with standards, and if the municipality has properly constructed and maintained the surface and signage. Such things as ditch gradients for rollover accidents, radius of curves and superelevations for loss of control on curves, ice formations for winter accidents, lack of warning signs or improperly placed or sized signs for intersection accidents, are just some of the types of analysis we have performed.
We can handle all types of vehicles and situations. We have experience with cars, trucks, trains, bicycles and motorcycles, and off road vehicles including snowmobiles, boats, and golf carts. These can raise special issues such as use of helmets for occupants on bikes and motorcycles.
Give us a call to discuss any special issues you need investigated. We are experienced with specialized testing procedures for unique problems. We have access to computer programs for accident reconstruction, animation or reconstruction drawings for use in court as demonstrative evidence.
