Accident Scene Analysis

The Warren Group engineers and reconstructionists will assist you in the reconstruction of an accident and a study of the factors that may have contributed to that accident. They are cognizant of the fact that the accident scene is not static; scene evidence and eye witness recollections will change over time, so our engineers and reconstructionists are prepared to assist you in collecting and interpreting the information needed to reconstruct the accident by:

• Evaluating and documenting roadway factors and conditions,
• Photographing the scene and vehicles,
• Measuring pre-crash, at-crash and post-crash positions of vehicles,
• Conducting vector analysis,
• Analyzing black box data,
• Gathering witness statements,
• Gathering and preserving evidence.

In addition to their professional expertise, our engineers and reconstructionists are also effective expert witnesses.  They are able to accurately and concisely explain the myriad of factors in an accident to an insurance adjuster, attorney, or jury in layman’s terms.

Our engineers and reconstructionists use the following tools as they conduct a multidisciplinary accident reconstruction: 

• Total Station Technology is used to accurately measure and plot various roadway and evidence points at the scene. Those points are then downloaded to a computer aided drawing program, where a scale diagram is generated for use in reports or as trial exhibits.
• Accident Site Photography documents the scene in digital format so that the photographs can be incorporated into various formats during the investigation.
• Time, Distance & Speed Calculations are useful for determining the sequence of events for a collision.  The analysis of that sequence can help show who was responsible for the collision or if the collision could have been avoided.
• Forensic Mapping of Collision Scenes is the collection of evidence at accident scenes where the primary purpose is to establish the spatial relationship between all relevant items involved in the collision.  Accurate maps of the collision scene provide distance and line of sight information.
• Vehicle Dynamics are used by the engineer to determine how the vehicle geometry, frame, suspension system, and steering system interact with the handling of the vehicle.   Various factors enter into the vehicle handling to include center of gravity issues, acceleration, braking, road isolation, road holding, cornering, fishtailing, jackknifing hydroplaning,rollover, over-steer, under-steer, etc.
• Brake Effectiveness of vehicles is just one of many components our engineers and reconstructionists evaluate when investigating an accident.  Our engineers and reconstructionists can evaluate hydraulic brakes, drum brakes, disc brakes, power brakes, and anti-lock brakes.
• Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) is used to illustrate pertinent findings in a graphical manner for ease of interpretation and for the analysis of collision geometry.
• Video Animations are another tool used by our engineers and reconstructionists to present their findings in an audience friendly manner.
• Evidence Preservation starts at the scene with evidence collection and continues through the life of the case using well documented chain of custody.  The Warren Group has an onsite, controlled access evidence storage facility where all evidence, no matter how big or small, is kept in a secure environment.