CASE STUDY: Vehicle Accident Reconstruction

Vehicle Accident Reconstruction:
You know that timely in depth analysis of
the accident scene is essential.

From comprehensive field investigations
to advanced computer analysis - our staff
of engineers, reconstruction specialists,
scientists and field investigators work to
scientifically get to the facts of even the
most complex accidents.

Rimkus Consulting Group has a passion to get to the facts of the case with action like this:
a. How vehicles responded to steering and braking inputs.
b. How roadway and traffic conditions effect vehicle motion.
c. A thorough documentation of the entire site conditions such as: state of the road, traffic light sequences, road markings, crush depths as well as damages to person, vehicle and property.
d. Intense examination of evidence such as photography, maintenance records, witness statements, repair estimates and police reports.

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DETAILED CASE STUDY:
What caused a three-vehicle accident occurred on a major interstate?
Three tractor-trailers were southbound in the right lane. The front tractor, a 1991 Kenworth, was towing a flatbed. The middle tractor, a 1993 International, was towing a box trailer, and the third tractor, a 1995 Mack tractor, was towing a flatbed loaded with lumber. Reportedly, the right front of the International tractor struck the left rear of the Kenworth’s flatbed trailer. The International’s trailer jackknifed to the left, blocking both southbound lanes. The driver of the Mack and its flatbed veered to his right, exited the roadway, crossed a ditch, entered the feeder road and then rolled over, coming to rest on the west side of the feeder road.

Rimkus Consulting Group was given the assignment to reconstruct the accident to determine its cause.

In the course of our investigation we reviewed the depositions of the three drivers. We reviewed the transportation company’s accident report. We also examined color photography of the tractors and accident site.

Rimkus Results:
1. Rimkus did not find any skid marks on the site photographs to indicated the Kenworth tractor was braking prior to being struck by the International tractor from the rear.

2. There were heavy black skid marks on the Interstate going from the right lane to the left lane. There were also some additional skid marks going from the left lane to the right lane. All these skid marks were consistent with the International tractor-trailer hard braking and the trailer jackknifing to the left. This was consistent with the testimony of both drivers.

3. There were some lighter skid marks exiting the right shoulder and entering the right ditch. These were left by the Mack tractor-trailer as it approached the accident and the exited the interstate.

4. The was insufficient physical evidence to determine the speed of the Kenworth tractor when the impact occurred.

5. The right-front half of the International tractor was severely damaged. The damage is extended behind the right-front wheel well and is consistent with the International tractor striking a flatbed trailer.

6. It was not possible, given the physical evidence, to determine the speed of the International tractor prior to breaking or impact; We did determine that the damage evidence indicated that the International tractor was traveling significantly faster than the Kenworth tractor when the collision occurred.

7. There was insufficient evidence to determine the speed of the Mack truck prior to it braking or prior to it exiting the roadway.

8. Rimkus Determined this Fact: The driver of the International tractor was either traveling too close behind the Kenworth and/or he was traveling too fast. This initiated the accident.