For a truck accident, we document all of the evidence from the scene and the vehicles such as marks, debris, scratch patterns, vehicle crush damage, and Engine Control Module (ECM) data. We use that information to determine the speeds and positions of the vehicles throughout the accident. Tractor trailers have special considerations beyond normal accidents including air brakes, loading and maintenance issues, and governmental regulations. Load placement and securement can lead to vehicle overturn or separation of load. Our analysis of heavy trucks turning can let you know whether alternative safe paths were available. Heavy trucks require specialized analysis because the trailer follows a different path than the truck. Turn radius and trailer path during turns have implications with articulated vehicles. In addition, some heavy truck ECMs provide braking, throttle, speed, history, hours of operation and more.
Truck Accident 1
Truck Accident 2
Areas we typically address for a truck accident:
- Vehicle speeds and positions
- Timing of events throughout the accident
- Sight distance, reaction time, driver actions
- ECM data download and interpretation (Engine Control Module)
- Maintenance and pre-trip inspection issues (lights, brakes, tires, conspicuity tape, etc.)
- Brake condition and effectiveness
- Rollover causation (speed, driver actions, load placement & securement)
- Accidents during loading and unloading
- Reason for jackknife
- Semi trailer path analysis (offtracking)
- Analysis of tractor bobtail accidents