Accident Reconstruction & Biomechanics

Many vehicles on the road today have valuable event data recording (EDR) capabilities. Select vehicles manufactured by Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler, and others have the potential to store data in their airbag module or engine control computers. YA has the latest Bosch Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) equipment to download data from any of the supported vehicles to facilitate the accident reconstruction process. We also have the equipment to download critical information from a vehicle’s infotainment system using the Berla iVe Ecosystem. In addition, heavy trucks can store crash data in their engine control module (ECM). The data available is specific to the engine manufacturer and generation of the ECM. Our engineers have the necessary equipment to download and analyze the ECMs manufactured by Detroit Diesel, Cummins, Caterpillar, International, and Mack.

A physical model is easily understandable to laypersons and individuals unfamiliar with the details of an accident. Because of this, it can be an invaluable tool in demonstrating the factors you wish to present in a courtroom setting. Whether you require a model of a single vehicle or the entire scene of a complex accident, our graphics team has the expertise to deliver an unparalleled product. YA physical models are produced in various scales to best suit your needs, and our advanced 3D printing techniques deliver fast results while maintaining quality. Accident scene photographs, evidence, and information gathered from first responders and scene inspections are utilized to ensure our models are built to only the highest levels of detail and accuracy.

A physical model is easily understandable to laypersons and individuals unfamiliar with the details of an accident. Because of this, it can be an invaluable tool in demonstrating the factors you wish to present in a courtroom setting. Whether you require a model of a single vehicle or the entire scene of a complex accident, our graphics team has the expertise to deliver an unparalleled product. YA physical models are produced in various scales to best suit your needs, and our advanced 3D printing techniques deliver fast results while maintaining quality. Accident scene photographs, evidence, and information gathered from first responders and scene inspections are utilized to ensure our models are built to only the highest levels of detail and accuracy.

Accident reconstruction of heavy truck and bus accidents requires knowledge specific to heavy vehicles. At YA, our engineers have taken specialized courses ranging from heavy vehicle design to reconstruction of heavy truck rollover accidents. We possess a thorough knowledge of air brake systems, vehicle components, and heavy vehicle dynamics. In addition, we are trained in heavy vehicle safety and operation.

The engineers at YA have performed full-scale brake tests of heavy trucks, as well as tear-downs and failure investigations of the brake systems. We have the equipment and training to download the Engine Control Module (ECM), or black box, found on many heavy trucks. Additionally, we have the specialized software to perform sophisticated computer simulations of heavy truck and bus accidents.

3D scanning is part of our accident reconstruction services. Our fleet of Leica and Faro scanners can take a 360° scan of any accident site. The scanner allows us to capture every minute detail from an accident site, whether it is small gouges in the pavement or utility wires above the roadway. If vehicle crush is important to your case, a vehicle can be scanned and modeled to determine the damage profiles at any location accurately.

YA often has to study the road design and traffic flow patterns to determine an accident’s cause. The accident may or may not have happened because of the road design, so we analyze the as-built plan, operating speed, and design speed. We also take surveys and review the road’s accident history to determine the factors leading up to the incident. Our analysis can include the clear zone, turning alignment, or road grade if necessary. Frequently, crashes occur inside of a work zone, where the rules of the road change. Fortunately, we have the expertise and knowledge to explain these factors and consider them when preparing our case. YA determines for you what role the road played in the accident. Contact one of our case managers to set up a call with our in-house traffic engineer.

Our skilled engineers at YA can perform independent vehicle testing separate from a full accident reconstruction. A wide range of services are available: from downloading data from a Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) unit to 3D scanning and evaluation of vehicle deformation to comparative tests with vehicles sharing a common platform.

Motorcycle accident reconstruction is a specialized discipline requiring riding experience and knowledge of the physics unique to motorcycles. The engineers at YA have over 20 years of motorcycle and all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) riding and racing experience. We have conducted hundreds of accident reconstructions of motorcycles and ATVs, including brake tests, performance tests, and visibility studies. YA engineers have performed several fully instrumented tests involving motorcycles and ATVs to quantify vehicle handling and braking characteristics.

The engineers at YA reconstruct pedestrian, bicycle, and scooter accidents using computer simulation models and empirical test data. With computer simulations, we can deliver a cutting-edge analysis that we verify with test data. These virtual recreations of the accident allow us to develop exhibits such as scaled drawings and animations to explain our opinions. We use advanced 3D modeling as part of our accident reconstructions. We can reconstruct pedestrian, bicycle, and scooter accidents using 3D models that are an integral part of our analysis.

The engineers at YA are highly trained in forensic video analysis. With recordings from security, dash, or body-worn cameras, our engineers can extrapolate critical information such as speed, area of impact, and traffic signal timing or color. This often cuts the cost of litigation and helps our clients achieve results faster. Our analysis also includes advanced photogrammetry techniques using 3D scans we gather from site inspections and other evidence obtained from the scene. As a final validation step in our analysis process, we use the physics-based software PC Crash to confirm our findings. This multi-layered approach ensures each case is accurate and supported by the evidence provided. Due to the rapidly changing dynamics of forensic video analysis, we invest heavily in sending staff engineers to training seminars nationwide. We have several staff engineers who are LEVA-certified.