The analyses of Occupant & Pedestrian Kinematics can be crucial to your case or claim.
Occupant Kinematics
The analysis of the movement of bodies in a vehicle during a collision. As part of a vehicle collision reconstruction, our biomechanical engineers also analyze the movement of occupants to determine which areas they may contact and the forces involved. This information can assist a biomechanical engineer in analyzing and evaluating injury causation. Key aspects of Occupant Kinematics include:
- Motion Mechanics: Occupants continue moving at the vehicle’s pre-impact speed until acted upon by forces such as restraints or interior impact.
- Injury Analysis: This focuses on contact points, such as steering wheels, dashboards, and side windows, as well as restraint forces.
- Low-Speed Impacts: Even at relatively low speeds, occupants can sustain injuries. Proper investigation protocols and accurate physics calculations are necessary to determine the likelihood and mechanism of injury in a low-speed collision.
- Occupant Ejections: Ejections are among the most complex issues to resolve in kinematic cases. An occupant kinematics analysis can clarify how passengers exit the vehicle in high-impact scenarios.
Pedestrian Kinematics
Analyzes the complex movement (impact, wrap, throw) of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Key aspects of Pedestrian Kinematics include:
- Environment: Typically involves open spaces, with pedestrians initially walking or standing.
- Motion: Typically involves impact, rotation, wrapping over the hood or windshield, and falling to the ground.
- Key Factors: Important variables include the shape of the vehicle’s front (e.g., SUV vs. sedan), bumper height, impact speed, and the pedestrian’s height.
Our biomechanical engineers can simplify complex scientific concepts, enabling clients and juries to grasp the intricacies of injury consistency, likelihood, and comparative situations. This clear communication not only enhances understanding but also empowers informed decision-making in critical cases.
Contact our team or submit a case today.
