Forensics Analysis
It is often difficult to determine the cause of an accident. In many cases there are conflicting witness reports as to what happened or who was at fault. These disputes require a scientific analysis of the physical evidence to understand the underlying causes of the accident.
AEGI has extensive experience in all types of accidents and failures, including motor vehicle collisions, industrial accidents, and material failures.
Motor Vehicle Collision Reconstruction
AEGI has analyzed hundreds of motor vehicle collisions, including roll-overs, single and multi-vehicle collisions and accidents involving heavy trucks/tractor-trailers, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Some of our common services include:
- Vehicle accident reconstruction
- Component failure analysis
- Roadway conditions and layout
- Maintenance of Traffic during construction
- Seat belt use
- Perception/Response (Reaction) & visibility
- Vehicle fire cause analysis
- Load shift analysis
Our engineers and technical staff gather all available information, and the accident scene and vehicles are inspected when available/practical. The data is analyzed to answer disputed questions such as speed of the vehicles, severity of the impact, driver error involvement, or if component failure or roadway conditions played a role in the accident. With our expertise in biomechanics, we can also establish if any injuries sustained in the accident are consistent with forces calculated in our analysis.
Depending on what evidence is available and the severity of the accident, an accident reconstruction might range from a simple momentum analysis based on vehicle crush profiles to a complete computer simulation which recreates the entire accident environment. Various types of evidence include:
- Vehicle rest positions and Area of Impact
- Skidmarks, gouges and debris
- Roadway conditions and layout
- Vehicle crush profiles
- Airbag deployment and Crash Data Retrieval (black box information)
- Heavy truck Electronic Control Module (black box) download
- Vehicle repair records
- Vehicle condition, especially suspension, brakes and tires
- Visibility and environmental conditions
Using this scene evidence together with vehicle specifications and perception/response data, we can run hand calculations and/or use various computer analysis software to calculate vehicle speeds, trajectories and impact forces. We can also use collision simulation programs that models the motion of the vehicles before and after the collision, which can then be translated with complete fidelity into presentation-quality graphics and animation. We can also use our expertise to evaluate the findings of opposing experts to verify that sound scientific principles were followed.
Vehicle component analysis
The failure of various electrical or mechanical systems in a vehicle can cause or contribute to an accident. We can analyze a wide range of structural component failures including driveline, electrical, suspension and wheel/tire failures in our materials lab to determine whether the component failed as a result of the collision, from improper use or lack of maintenance, or as a result of a defect in the design or manufacture of the product.
Industial/Construction Accidents
Many accidents occur in the workplace, particularly in construction and areas with machinery. OSHA governs workplace safety and establishes employer safety requirements. When an Industrial or Construction accident occurs, OSHA requirements are examined. Beyond that, AEGI examines the root cause, which can include employee training, a design or manufacturing defect of the equipment, improper maintenance, damaged equipment, procedural violations, poor housekeeping, etc. AEGI has analyzed numerous Industrial/Construction Accidents, including:
- Punchpresses, rollers, cutters and food preparation equipment
- Scissor lifts, manlifts and boom lifts
- Fork lifts
- Portable power tools
Failure Analysis
Failure Analysis is performed to determine how a particular component failed. The examination looks for the failure mode and the contributing causes. The information obtained is frequently used in product liability cases. AEGI has the expertise and equipment to determine how a failure occurred, both at a materials failure level and the operating condition that led to the materials failure. The following are examples of failure modes and contributing causes:
- Overload (component to weak for the forces applied)
- Material fatigue
- Corrosion
- Creep
- Embrittlement
- Material incompatibility