NCJ Number
197120
Date Published
2001
Length
54 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this chapter is to explain the qualitative dynamics of the damage done to vehicles in a motor vehicle accident and how they are pushed around in collisions.
Abstract
In order to understand how vehicles behave in collisions, data obtained on vehicle movement is critical. A discussion of the elements of a collision includes three events: first contact, maximum engagement with a centered impact, and separation or stopping. The two classes of impact, full impact and partial impact, are discussed. Movements during impact such as velocity change, including force and rotation, direction change, and force against vehicle direction change are covered. Diagrams of a moving vehicle hitting a fixed object, or a stopped vehicle, or when both vehicles are in motion are included. Damage and movement as they are related to determining which vehicle was moving, are discussed. Analyzing impact is done with the data collected, by drawing an outline of each vehicle to scale to determine maximum engagement position, first contact position, and or separation position of the two cars. The significance of this type of qualitative analysis is discussed. Systematic procedure is emphasized as essential and includes ignoring conclusions of others, and freeing the mind of preconceived ideas in order to follow the facts in an orderly manner. A list of reference sources is included at the end of the chapter