The photograph at the top of this page is typical of many accident scenes after the removal of vehicles and casualties. From tyre marks and a calculated co-efficient of friction at the tyre/road interface, it may be possible to calculate the speed of a vehicle at any given moment of its journey through the scene.
  • Mathematics can be a tool used to prove or disprove many witness comments in relation to estimated speed.

  • It is possible to use many of the universally accepted formula to calculate, within defined tolerances, the speed of vehicles from the length of tyre marks if the co-efficient of friction at the road surface is known.
  • Where defective brakes have been found, formula can be used to correct for the non-working brakes.
  • In many cases involving pedestrians, the speed of vehicles can be estimated from the distance a pedestrian is projected following impact.
  • A 'momentum exchange' calculation may assist, usually in conjunction with that used for linear tyre marks to calculate the speed of a vehicle.
  • A 'critical speed' mark (one left by a vehicle slipping sideways whilst taking a forwards curved path) can be used to assess a vehicles speed.

A drivers ability to acknowledge other road users, obstructions or hazards can be influenced by a wide variety of factors, i.e. adverse weather conditions and bright lighting, coupled with variations in contrast are just a few of the factors which must be considered during a reconstruction.

To properly evaluate an event, if required, we can collect data and meteorological reports to properly ascertain the conditions which the driver was experiencing at the time of the incident. Driving skill, eyesight, age, blood/alcohol levels and medical conditions can all affect the ability of a driver to recognise and respond accordingly to a set of circumstances.

We have access to extensive library records from which it is possible for us to determine, for example, if the road layout, traffic volume or visibility of the area concerned was a contributory factor, or if there was possibly a manufacturing defect or condition in a vehicle which caused or contributed to the accident.