How Auto Accident Reconstruction Is Done

An auto accident construction, or also known as a vehicular accident reconstruction is a scientific method of investigation, analysis, and drawing of conclusions regarding the causes and occurrences during a vehicular collision. Scenario reconstructionists and forensic analyzers conduct thorough analyses of collision and then reconstruct the scenario to determine the grounds of collision and the factors that contributed in the incident, including the roles of the drivers and their vehicles involved, the roadway driven, and the environment surrounding the crash scenario.

Laws and principles working behind physics and engineering, like linear momentum, work-energy relations and kinematics are the bases behind these analyses, and can utilize computer software to compute useful data and figures. The accident reconstruction gives comprehensive analyses that a professional witness can present at a trial. Auto accident reconstructions are done during in cases where fatalities and injuries are involved. Data collated from accident reconstructions are proven to be useful in redesigning and developing newer and safer roads and highways, as well as improving the vehicular designs and safety mechanisms. Forensic professionals, law enforcement specialized units or private consultants conduct these reconstructions.

Data Collection Tools

In the year 1985, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States provided the first national guidelines for the training in the field of traffic accident reconstruction. Subsequently, an industry accreditation group, Accreditation Commission fro Traffic Accident Reconstruction, or ACTAR, was established. Hugh H. Hurt Jr. pioneered motorcycle accident research. His intensive accident reconstructions of vehicular accidents helped to give explanations on issues such as that safety helmets reduced cases of head injuries; that motorcyclists needed more training on driving to manage skidding; and vehicles turning towards left in front of the motorcycle is involved in a large number of motorcycle accidents.

Accident scene visitation and investigation of all vehicular collisions are involved in scenario inspections and data retrieval. Collection of evidences such as scene photographs and videos, physical measurements, testimonies of eye witnesses and legal depositions are some of the fundamental methods done in the investigation. Supplementary factors include steering angles, brake pressure and strength, light usage, turn signals, velocity, acceleration, engine, car control and anti-lock brakes. Witnesses are interviewed during the process of reconstruction, and material evidences such as skid marks are analyzed. The length of a tire mark can often provide data for calculation of the original speed of a vehicle, for instance. Vehicular velocity is often misjudged by a driver; therefore an individual estimation of speed is important in accidents. Road structure and surface is also crucial, especially when tire grip has been lost due to ice, mud, debris, or road obstacles. Data gathered by an even data recorder can also provide important information such as the speed of the vehicle a few seconds before the occurrence of the collision.

Analysis of auto vehicular accident reconstruction involves data collection and processing, evaluation of probabilities and possible hypotheses, model creation, recreation of scenarios, and software simulations. By the use of powerful but inexpensive computers and specialty software, accident reconstruction has been revolutionized like many other technical researches and analyses. Computer-aided design, or CAD software, vehicle specification database, momentum and kinematics computer programs, collision simulation software and photogrammetry programs are typical examples of the computer software used by accident reconstructionists.

How Auto Accident Reconstruction Is Done