Pedestrian Accident Reconstruction

Reconstruction of a pedestrian accident is usually much more complicated than it first appears. Analysis has to be made of the pattern, type, and distribution of injury forces along with vehicle damage and vehicle dynamics. Congruent surfaces between vehicle and body contact have to be related to initial and secondary contacts. Pedestrian kinematics such as airborne trajectory, ground landing impact, and tumble trajectory are physical parameters commonly evaluated. Forensic evaluation of hairs, clothing and fiber transfers, pedestrian wrap down kinematics, as well as skeletal damage are routinely needed. Since many pedestrian accidents occur at night, lighting from vehicles, environments, and other artificial means are important. In many pedestrian cases, an accident reconstructionist will work with a biomechanical engineer, pathologist, or sometimes a human factors expert specializing in lighting and vision.