| Commercial Vehicles
Heavy vehicles are commonly known as 18-wheelers, though not all commercial vehicles have 18 wheels. All of these heavy vehicles have handling and braking characteristics that separate them from other types of traffic. The brake, suspension, steering, dynamic performance and ride behavior systems are unique and differentiate this class of vehicle. Impact avoidance capability is also quite different for heavy trucks, buses and recreational vehicles. We commonly use sophisticated models to determine driver inputs or avoidance capabilities.
CRA has extensive experience in the mechanics and operation of heavy vehicles. We can conduct inspections to determine, for example, if brakes played a role in the collision occurrence. Pre-crash and at-crash driver control input and vehicle data are commonly retrieved from the on-board event data recorder found on most late model heavy trucks and buses.
Motorcycles CRA regularly reconstructs motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle rider operating behavior and motorcycle speed are commonly determined. We inspect the motorcycle to determine to what extent, if any, the pre-existing mechanical condition of the bike contributed to the accident and to document physical evidence related to the particular collision.
CRA is uniquely qualified to determine rider/motorcycle control issues and to determine speeds in motorcycle collisions. Mr. Lock has been an active motorcyclist for over 39 years. He has conducted mechanical analysis, vehicle dynamics, and crash research, as well as racing, touring, and testing his own personal limits on a variety of motorcycles. Vehicle Maintenance and Safety Defects Vehicles with neglected maintenance are over represented in accident statistics. Poor maintenance of commercial vehicles is a reflection of company policy, procedure, and commitment to safety. CRA has experience in uncovering potential safety related problems which cause or contribute to the accident environment. We are familiar with all mechanical aspects of motor vehicle systems and can analyze them from both the mechanical and engineering points of view. CRA has the D.O. T. recall and defect library which lists all suspected defects and recalls on vehicles.
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Passenger Vehicles
With our background and experience, we are able to do a very detailed inspection of the vehicle involved. Documentation of vehicle crush, contact points and rollover markings are extremely important in determining the collision sequence. Using physical evidence, we are able to determine factors such as the impact speed, vehicle performance, crashworthiness and relative safety of the vehicle. Deformation Vehicle deformation provides valuable information for accident reconstruction. CRA documents the vehicle deformation and uses the data for speed reconstruction, impact orientation reconstruction, and occupant movement analysis.
click for enlargement Occupant survival space and passenger compartment intrusion are documented and incorporated into the impact acceleration and delta-v data calculated by CRA. Using computer programs such as CRASH, M-SMAC and crash test data for exemplar vehicles, the damage energy dissipation can be calculated to determine collision severity. Vehicle performance Vehicle acceleration, braking and handling performance must be evaluated in the reconstruction of a collision. Time/speed and distance calculations help CRA researchers determine the actual event and help develop data for the "what if" hypothetical scenarios. Speed Determination It is typically possible to determine the speed of the vehicle at the time of impact by using the vehicle and environmental data. Vehicle crush, impact, final rest positions, and other factors are considered in the calculations to determine vehicle speed at time of collision. Mechanics CRA has extensive knowledge about the mechanics and the operation of vehicles. We are familiar with all the major components of vehicles, such as the brakes, transmission, and the steering mechanisms involved. CRA has the capability to inspect any vehicle and determine if a modified or degraded mechanical component caused or contributed to the collision and/or personal injury event.
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We developed and presented the premier motorcycle accident reconstruction course which has been taught for over 10 years at a major university.
Passenger vehicles include cars, light trucks, and vans. Since passenger vehicles comprise the majority of cars on the road, most two vehicle collisions involve at least one passenger vehicle.
