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US Roadways have a wide variety of motor vehicle traffic. This makes for unique traffic accident
reconstruction scenarios involving, sometimes, distinctly different vehicles.
The FHWA Traffic Monitoring Guide (TMG) recommends classifying vehicles into 13 different
categories based on vehicle configuration. Class 13 heavy trucks can have seven or more axles and
gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) of 33,001 pounds or more.
Small Class 1 motorcycles, can weigh as little as 400 - 500 pounds. Passenger cars, light trucks, and
SUVs can have GVWRs anywhere from a few thousand pounds up to 10,000 pounds.
The weight of colliding vehicles is an intricate part of accident reconstruction. Certain vehicle
attributes, such as momentum, are directly dependant on weight. Likewise, certain methodologies of
crash reconstruction become increasingly sensitive as the weights of colliding vehicles distance
themselves.
And, not only do vehicle weights dramatically affect accident reconstruction, but vehicle equipment
does as well. Anti-lock brake systems (ABS), stability control, headlamp type, automotive suspension,
wheel base and more can all influence the dynamic interaction among vehicles during a collision.
For example, the friction value, sometime referred to as drag factor, of a sliding or skidding heavy
truck can be significantly less than the frictional value possessed by a passenger car sliding or
skidding on the same surface. Our accident reconstruction experts will provide relevant analysis of
those vehicle characteristics that influenced a crash.
reconstruction scenarios involving, sometimes, distinctly different vehicles.
The FHWA Traffic Monitoring Guide (TMG) recommends classifying vehicles into 13 different
categories based on vehicle configuration. Class 13 heavy trucks can have seven or more axles and
gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) of 33,001 pounds or more.
Small Class 1 motorcycles, can weigh as little as 400 - 500 pounds. Passenger cars, light trucks, and
SUVs can have GVWRs anywhere from a few thousand pounds up to 10,000 pounds.
The weight of colliding vehicles is an intricate part of accident reconstruction. Certain vehicle
attributes, such as momentum, are directly dependant on weight. Likewise, certain methodologies of
crash reconstruction become increasingly sensitive as the weights of colliding vehicles distance
themselves.
And, not only do vehicle weights dramatically affect accident reconstruction, but vehicle equipment
does as well. Anti-lock brake systems (ABS), stability control, headlamp type, automotive suspension,
wheel base and more can all influence the dynamic interaction among vehicles during a collision.
For example, the friction value, sometime referred to as drag factor, of a sliding or skidding heavy
truck can be significantly less than the frictional value possessed by a passenger car sliding or
skidding on the same surface. Our accident reconstruction experts will provide relevant analysis of
those vehicle characteristics that influenced a crash.
Accident reconstruction experts are generally most concerned with dynamic friction. Dynamic friction,
also called kinetic or sliding friction, is a measure of the force resisting motion between two sliding
bodies. The friction caused between a sliding tire and the underlying road surface is one type of
dynamic friction.
The proper assessment and application of tire to roadway friction, sometimes referred to as the
coefficient of friction, is critical when an expert accident reconstructionist analyzes a collision. Vehicle
ABS systems attempt to maximize roadway friction by not allowing a vehicle's wheels to lock. In most
cases, peak friction is actually reached just prior to wheel lock-up. To view a graph of an ABS vs
Skid test, please click here.
also called kinetic or sliding friction, is a measure of the force resisting motion between two sliding
bodies. The friction caused between a sliding tire and the underlying road surface is one type of
dynamic friction.
The proper assessment and application of tire to roadway friction, sometimes referred to as the
coefficient of friction, is critical when an expert accident reconstructionist analyzes a collision. Vehicle
ABS systems attempt to maximize roadway friction by not allowing a vehicle's wheels to lock. In most
cases, peak friction is actually reached just prior to wheel lock-up. To view a graph of an ABS vs
Skid test, please click here.
The Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) Traffic Monitoring Guide
(TMG) recommends classifying
vehicles into 13 different categories.
All States currently use this
classification scheme or some
variation of it for classifying vehicles.
To read FHWA's TMG, please click
here.
(FHWA) Traffic Monitoring Guide
(TMG) recommends classifying
vehicles into 13 different categories.
All States currently use this
classification scheme or some
variation of it for classifying vehicles.
To read FHWA's TMG, please click
here.
Because of the wide variety of
vehicles on the road today, the
Illinois Department of Transportation
(IL DOT) tracks fatal accidents by
vehicle type. To view Illinois' 2004 -
2008 fatal crash statistics by vehicle
type, please click here.
vehicles on the road today, the
Illinois Department of Transportation
(IL DOT) tracks fatal accidents by
vehicle type. To view Illinois' 2004 -
2008 fatal crash statistics by vehicle
type, please click here.
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Disclaimer: Crash Data Services, LLC and crashdataservices.net provide the information in this web site for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to
be legal advice or an expert opinion and should not be construed as such. The use of this site does not create a contractor/client relationship with any employee of Crash
Data Services, LLC. Each investigation is different. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. The results of any investigation/reconstruction do not
guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case undertaken by Crash Data Services, LLC
be legal advice or an expert opinion and should not be construed as such. The use of this site does not create a contractor/client relationship with any employee of Crash
Data Services, LLC. Each investigation is different. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. The results of any investigation/reconstruction do not
guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case undertaken by Crash Data Services, LLC