COLLISION/ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION

Collision reconstruction, also known as vehicle accident reconstruction, is the scientific process of investigating and analyzing how an incident occurred. Our experts have conducted thousands of investigations into all types of vehicle collisions. We provide solid answers backed by continued research into vehicle behaviour and our instrumented vehicle test facilities.

SAMAC experts use the latest technology and techniques to analyze each incident. Examples include:

  • Computer simulations and animation of vehicle motions (2D & 3D)
  • Event Data Recorders - SAMAC was among the first firms to provide clients with downloaded crash data in 2000. Using the latest Bosch software, we have continued to maintain our expertise in this area
  • Probability analyses
  • Paint analysis and matching
  • Photogrammetry - the science of obtaining measurements from photographs
  • Vehicle crash testing and data collection (in low speed collisions)
  • Microscopic lamp examinations
  • Visibility studies, including sight lines and night visibility

Our investigations have included, among others, incidents involving automobiles, motorcycles, emergency vehicles, tractor-trailer units, pedestrians and cyclists.

 

TYPES OF ANALYSES

At SAMAC, we perform detailed analyses to assess the following:

  • Vehicle positions at impact
  • Speeds and movements of vehicles
  • Sequence of events
  • Sight lines
  • Time available for drivers to react
  • Opportunity to avoid incident
  • Vehicle occupant dynamics
  • Seat belt use and effectiveness
  • Use of vehicle headlights or signals
  • Tire failure and vehicle control analyses

When investigating a vehicle collision, SAMAC personnel normally examine the vehicles involved, both externally and internally, and the location of the incident. Depending upon the particulars of the incident, the location may need to be surveyed by SAMAC personnel.

Information from police sources, photographs, witness statements and Examinations for Discovery are also reviewed. We routinely assist in the preparation of questions for Examination for Discovery to help obtain pertinent incident details.

When addressing occupant injuries, medical and occupant information will be required. As necessary, a biomechanical expert can also be requested to assist in assessing injury mechanisms, probable causation and seat belt effectiveness.

Many investigations concern low speed/minimal damage collisions. With our extensive in-house low speed expertise and testing capability, the available information can be analyzed to determine the collision severity.

 

EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)

Recorded data may be available from vehicles after a collision.  This data is stored in event data recorders, often incorrectly referred to as "black boxes".  Currently data can be found in one of 3 types of systems, depending on the type of vehicle and fleet owner.  These are:

  1. Passenger vehicles:  Data in passenger vehicles is normally stored in the airbag module (ACM/RCM?EDR) as the result of a collision or airbag deployment, and can include vehicle speeds, speed changes, brake status (on/off), throttle position, and driver seatbelt use, among others.  As well, some recent Fords have additional data stored in the powertrain control module (PCM).  Generically, the modules are known as Event Data Recorders (EDR's) if event data is stored on them.  Vehicles for which data may be available include most General Motors vehicles, newer Fords and, recently, Chryslers.  Specific models with data that may be available are listed on the following site:  http://www.cdr-system.com/resources/coverage.html.  This site is also useful to review for more background information.  Weeklong training is required every two years along with specialized equipment in order to download and interpret the data.  SAMAC currently has 4 experts with the training and equipment to download these vehicles.  Although the retrieved data can be very useful, there are many times when the data is not available, retrieveable, or useful.
  2. Heavy trucks:  The data available from heavy truck incidents varies widely but can include hard stop and collision data.  If available, the data will be stored on the engine control modules of the truck or sometimes in equipment installed in the cab.  SAMAC experts routinely download this information via the engine manufacturers as the equipment, software updates and training are very expensive.
  3. Diagnostic codes, etc:  These codes register the status of various systems in a modern vehicle and are routinely downloaded by vehicle dealers and repair shops during service checks.  These downloads can also be obtained by using a commercially available tool (such as Snap-On) with the appropriate software.  The data is of limited use in accident reconstruction except for manufacturers that might want to verify that there were no fault codes for their airbag or other safety systems.  Although typically performed by dealers, SAMAC has the capability and training to perform such downloads.

For additional information, please call Gilles Amirault or Ted Semeniuk at 403-243-2238.