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| Side Impact / Angle Traffic Accident Reconstruction Expert |
Providing Quality Accident Reconstruction and Investigation
| In 2003, when side impact testing began, only 1 in 5 vehicles earned a ranking of "good". - IIHS |
Side impact or angled collisions are more likely to involve serious personal injury or death than frontal or rear
end accidents at similar speeds. This is because the side of a vehicle is relatively soft and offers far less
protection than the front or rear of the same vehicle. Even with the addition of side and head curtain airbags in
many modern vehicles, occupants can be seriously injured during angled crashes.
end accidents at similar speeds. This is because the side of a vehicle is relatively soft and offers far less
protection than the front or rear of the same vehicle. Even with the addition of side and head curtain airbags in
many modern vehicles, occupants can be seriously injured during angled crashes.
The conservation of linear momentum assumes a closed system, in that the total momentum before impact
is the same after impact. Based on this assumption, as long as 10 of the following 12 basic variables are
known or can be determined, accident reconstruction experts can solve for the remaining 2 unknown
variables. A linear momentum analysis deals only with speeds immediately before impact and immediately
after separation from the angled collision.
is the same after impact. Based on this assumption, as long as 10 of the following 12 basic variables are
known or can be determined, accident reconstruction experts can solve for the remaining 2 unknown
variables. A linear momentum analysis deals only with speeds immediately before impact and immediately
after separation from the angled collision.
Angled collisions generally happen at intersections and are usually caused by one car violating a traffic signal or
failing to yield the right of way. When investigating angled crashes, the most common method used by accident
reconstructionists to determine speed is linear momentum analysis.
failing to yield the right of way. When investigating angled crashes, the most common method used by accident
reconstructionists to determine speed is linear momentum analysis.
In some cases, the nature of the known variables may make a momentum analysis sensitive, in that changing a known variable by just a small percent
may change the unknown/derived variables by a considerable amount. For example, when vehicles of significantly different weights collide (truck vs
car), a small adjustment of the approach or departure angles greatly affects the derived impact speed for the smaller vehicle. Our expert accident
reconstructionists will perform a sensitivity check in order to ensure reliable opinions.
may change the unknown/derived variables by a considerable amount. For example, when vehicles of significantly different weights collide (truck vs
car), a small adjustment of the approach or departure angles greatly affects the derived impact speed for the smaller vehicle. Our expert accident
reconstructionists will perform a sensitivity check in order to ensure reliable opinions.
| Weight Vehicle 1 |
| Weight Vehicle 2 |
| Approach Angle of Vehicle 1 |
| Approach Angle of Vehicle 2 |
| Impact Speed of Unit 1 |
| Impact Speed of Unit 2 | |
| Weight Vehicle 1 |
| Weight Vehicle 2 |
| Departure Angle of Vehicle 1 |
| Departure Angle of Vehicle 2 |
| Post-Impact Speed of Unit 1 |
| Post-Impact Speed of Unit 2 | |
Momentum analysis is based on the conservation of momentum. Every vehicle in motion has a property
called momentum, which can be quantified by multiplying the vehicle's weight by its speed. Momentum is a
vector quantity, in that it also has a direction. Since, in side impact collisions, the vehicles approach at
angles that are not parallel to one another, the linear momentum analysis must employ the concepts of
trigonometry to mathematically analyze the impact.
called momentum, which can be quantified by multiplying the vehicle's weight by its speed. Momentum is a
vector quantity, in that it also has a direction. Since, in side impact collisions, the vehicles approach at
angles that are not parallel to one another, the linear momentum analysis must employ the concepts of
trigonometry to mathematically analyze the impact.
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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