| Copyright © 2007-2012 Crash Data Services, LLC All rights reserved |
| Our experts are always available to fulfill your accident reconstruction needs. Call today for a free consultation: 847-217-6644 Or reach our reconstruction experts by email |
| High and Low Speed Accident Reconstruction Expert |
Providing Quality Accident Reconstruction and Investigation
| The Illinois State Police started using radar in 1956 for speed enforcement. - ISP |
Between July 2005 and December 2007, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
investigated 5,471 injury crashes that took place across the country. The investigation allowed a
first-hand comparison of physical evidence and interviews of witnesses involved in the accident.
NHTSA experts evaluated the data to determine the factors most responsible for the collisions.
Factors fell into categories, such as errors attributable to the driver, the condition of the vehicle,
failure of vehicle systems, adverse environmental conditions, or roadway design.
Overall, vehicles traveling too fast for conditions accounted for only 5% of the critical (most
significant) pre-crash events. More often observed critical factors included 22% driving off the edge
of the road and 11% who improperly drove across the center line.
This does not mean that speed is not an important factor in accident reconstruction. Speed
violations are associated with 39% of fatal crashes and are the critical causal factor for 14% of
deadly accidents.
And while speed may not be the most prevalent causal factor for an accident, many medical experts
believe that rear-end collisions as low as 5 MPH can induce cervical (neck) injury.
investigated 5,471 injury crashes that took place across the country. The investigation allowed a
first-hand comparison of physical evidence and interviews of witnesses involved in the accident.
NHTSA experts evaluated the data to determine the factors most responsible for the collisions.
Factors fell into categories, such as errors attributable to the driver, the condition of the vehicle,
failure of vehicle systems, adverse environmental conditions, or roadway design.
Overall, vehicles traveling too fast for conditions accounted for only 5% of the critical (most
significant) pre-crash events. More often observed critical factors included 22% driving off the edge
of the road and 11% who improperly drove across the center line.
This does not mean that speed is not an important factor in accident reconstruction. Speed
violations are associated with 39% of fatal crashes and are the critical causal factor for 14% of
deadly accidents.
And while speed may not be the most prevalent causal factor for an accident, many medical experts
believe that rear-end collisions as low as 5 MPH can induce cervical (neck) injury.
| The total speed displaced by a vehicle (S) as it skids to a stop is equal to the square root of 30 (a constant) times the vehicle's drag factor (f) times the skid distance (d). |
| To read NHTSA's 2008 National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey, please click here. |
The energy required to cause permanent
deformation of a vehicle can be used to
calculate the speed that the vehicle was
traveling at impact.
Accident reconstruction experts can utilize
crash tests performed by manufacturers,
NHTSA, or the IIHS to determine what the
stiffness coefficient of a vehicle is.
These stiffness coefficients allow the crash
reconstructionist to determine the
equivalent speed needed to cause
damage if the crush profile or damage
dimensions are measured accordingly.
The illustration above shows 5 crush
measurements (C1 to C5).
deformation of a vehicle can be used to
calculate the speed that the vehicle was
traveling at impact.
Accident reconstruction experts can utilize
crash tests performed by manufacturers,
NHTSA, or the IIHS to determine what the
stiffness coefficient of a vehicle is.
These stiffness coefficients allow the crash
reconstructionist to determine the
equivalent speed needed to cause
damage if the crush profile or damage
dimensions are measured accordingly.
The illustration above shows 5 crush
measurements (C1 to C5).
 | The content and photos on this website are the property of Crash Data Services, LLC and may not be used, reproduced or copied for any reason. | |
| By using this website, you agree to our terms & conditions and privacy policy | |
| Home | Accident Reconstruction | Crash Data Retrieval | Photos | Videos | Our Experts | Contact Us | FAQ | Case Law | Policies | Site Map | Links | Search |
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