Engineer Discusses Methodologies for Reconstructing Head-On Collision

ByKristin Casler

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Updated onSeptember 28, 2017

Engineer Discusses Methodologies for Reconstructing Head-On Collision

Plaintiff was the passenger in a vehicle that was struck head-on by an SUV that crossed the double-yellow line on a curve. She suffered severe injuries, and the driver of her car was killed.

She sued the estate of the driver of her vehicle and the driver of the vehicle that crossed the line for negligence and the county for defective road design.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. What were the road conditions?

2. Did they meet safety standards?

Expert Witness Response

inline imageIt is my opinion that the roadway geometry did not meet the required design standards for the posted 45 mph speed limit; sight distance was limited to 248 feet by an embankment off the northwest shoulder of the roadway; and the curve was deficient in sight distance for southbound vehicles because the measured sight distance of 248 feet is less than the distance required by design standards, which is 313 feet. This opinion is based on scientific evidence and testing. Specifically, the roadway geometry and available sight distance were evaluated using the geometric conditions existing at the time of the accident, which were measured using a total station (surveying instrument).

inline imageCurrent design standards were not cited in my report because they are not applicable. Design standards apply to new construction or reconstruction projects. For the posted 45 mph speed limit, current standards require even more sight distance than the 1965 policy.

inline imageThe methodologies used to perform the accident reconstruction in this case are indicated in my report. Specifically, three different analyses were performed: (1) Conservation of Momentum analysis; (2) Conservation of Energy analysis; (3) simulation using SMAC algorithm (simulation model of automobile collisions). All of these methods are accepted techniques used in the fields of automotive engineering and accident reconstruction, and all of them have been validated using staged collisions.

inline imageThe expert is a professional engineer certified in accident reconstruction.

About the author

Kristin Casler

Kristin Casler

Kristin Casler is a seasoned legal writer and journalist with an extensive background in litigation news coverage. For 17 years, she served as the editor for LexisNexis Mealey’s litigation news monitor, a role that positioned her at the forefront of reporting on pivotal legal developments. Her expertise includes covering cases related to the Supreme Court's expert admissibility ruling in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc., a critical area in both civil and criminal litigation concerning the challenges of 'junk science' testimony.

Kristin's work primarily involves reporting on a diverse range of legal subjects, with particular emphasis on cases in asbestos litigation, insurance, personal injury, antitrust, mortgage lending, and testimony issues in conviction cases. Her contributions as a journalist have been instrumental in providing in-depth, informed analysis on the evolving landscape of these complex legal areas. Her ability to dissect and communicate intricate legal proceedings and rulings makes her a valuable resource in the legal journalism field.

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