Engineering Analysis of Vehicular Accidents

Book excerpt: Accident analysis is not like a classroom problem where the equations are selected and solved, and the matter is considered closed. In this line of forensics, engineering skill must be combined with skillful practice for the successful presentation of evidence to a jury. In this book, the author demonstrates the application of engineering skills, methods, and judgment for analyzing vehicular accidents. A definition of vehicular accident reconstruction and its role in the legal system is provided. General accident statistics are cited, and some general strategies for accident reconstruction are given, along with many examples and case studies. The author includes novel and unusual treatment of the momentum method and coefficient of restitution (which is not yet widespread in accident analysis) and shows how to select the best methods of analysis in a given accident reconstruction.