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| Head-On Traffic Accident Reconstruction Expert |
Providing Quality Accident Reconstruction and Investigation
A head on traffic accident occurs when the front of one vehicle collides with the front of another.
These types of accidents are extremely dangerous because of the cumulative speed affect of
vehicles colliding in opposite directions. Accident reconstruction experts often refer to the
combined difference in speed as closing speed or closing velocity.
For example, if two vehicles collide head on with each traveling at 30 MPH, then the closing speed
between the two vehicles would be equal to 60 MPH. If the same two cars were to collide, with one
of the one of the vehicles stopped, then the striking vehicle would need to be traveling 60 MPH to
equal the same closing speed.
Another reason why head on accidents are so dangerous is because they often involve large and
abrupt changes in velocity. Expert accident reconstructionists refer to a vehicle's change in
velocity as Delta-V. Sudden and considerable changes in velocity have been directly linked to
injury causation.
The number one reason for a head-on collision is improper lane use by one of the drivers. In
other words, one driver generally crosses left of the lane divide into oncoming traffic prior to the
crash. Improper lane use is often the product of inattentive or distracted driving.
Our accident reconstruction experts can often solve for the impact speeds of vehicles involved in a
head on crash through various equations based on the conservation of momentum and dissipation
of energy.
In addition, by quantifying the Delta-V of one vehicle, our experts can solve for the Delta-V of the
second vehicle involved in the accident.
These types of accidents are extremely dangerous because of the cumulative speed affect of
vehicles colliding in opposite directions. Accident reconstruction experts often refer to the
combined difference in speed as closing speed or closing velocity.
For example, if two vehicles collide head on with each traveling at 30 MPH, then the closing speed
between the two vehicles would be equal to 60 MPH. If the same two cars were to collide, with one
of the one of the vehicles stopped, then the striking vehicle would need to be traveling 60 MPH to
equal the same closing speed.
Another reason why head on accidents are so dangerous is because they often involve large and
abrupt changes in velocity. Expert accident reconstructionists refer to a vehicle's change in
velocity as Delta-V. Sudden and considerable changes in velocity have been directly linked to
injury causation.
The number one reason for a head-on collision is improper lane use by one of the drivers. In
other words, one driver generally crosses left of the lane divide into oncoming traffic prior to the
crash. Improper lane use is often the product of inattentive or distracted driving.
Our accident reconstruction experts can often solve for the impact speeds of vehicles involved in a
head on crash through various equations based on the conservation of momentum and dissipation
of energy.
In addition, by quantifying the Delta-V of one vehicle, our experts can solve for the Delta-V of the
second vehicle involved in the accident.
A vehicle's total Delta-V, or change in velocity due to a collision, is an indispensable resource
for expert accident reconstructionists. Many vehicles have the ability to record longitudinal
Delta-V if the vehicle is involved in a serious crash. The recording is usually stored in a
component of the vehicle's airbag control module called an event data recorder or EDR.
If the Principal Direction of Force, or PDOF exerted on a vehicle is known, and the longitudinal
Delta-V is recorded during a crash, then the total Delta-V experienced by a vehicle during a
collision can be derived.
for expert accident reconstructionists. Many vehicles have the ability to record longitudinal
Delta-V if the vehicle is involved in a serious crash. The recording is usually stored in a
component of the vehicle's airbag control module called an event data recorder or EDR.
If the Principal Direction of Force, or PDOF exerted on a vehicle is known, and the longitudinal
Delta-V is recorded during a crash, then the total Delta-V experienced by a vehicle during a
collision can be derived.
When vehicles collide head on, the post
impact motions of the vehicles are dictated
by momentum. Momentum is a vector
quantity, in that it has both a size and
direction.
An accident reconstruction expert can
quantify momentum by multiplying a
vehicle's weight by its speed. In the above
illustration, if we assume that both vehicles
weighed about the same, then we know that
the blue car was traveling much faster at
impact due to the post-impact trajectories of
the vehicles.
impact motions of the vehicles are dictated
by momentum. Momentum is a vector
quantity, in that it has both a size and
direction.
An accident reconstruction expert can
quantify momentum by multiplying a
vehicle's weight by its speed. In the above
illustration, if we assume that both vehicles
weighed about the same, then we know that
the blue car was traveling much faster at
impact due to the post-impact trajectories of
the vehicles.
| Head-on collisions make up only 2% of US crashes, but account for over 10% of fatalities - NHTSA |
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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