Methodology
Our Reconstruction Process
Accident Dynamics USA specializes exclusively in remote, desktop-based evaluations. Every case is approached with the same structured workflow.
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01
Review and organize all available photographs and documentation
Scene and vehicle photographs, police reports and diagrams, repair estimates, EDR downloads, and statements are cataloged so that every conclusion traces back to a specific piece of evidence.
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02
Identify damage patterns, height-band alignment, and contact geometry
Crush depth, direct versus induced damage, and the heights of bumpers and structural components are compared between vehicles to confirm they made contact the way it was described — and to establish the angle and point of impact.
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03
Evaluate vehicle dynamics using accepted reconstruction principles
Physics-based methods such as conservation of momentum and energy, crush analysis, and published vehicle stiffness data are applied to understand how each vehicle moved before, during, and after the collision.
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04
Compare physical evidence to the reported sequence of events
Statements, reports, and claims are tested against what the evidence actually shows — rest positions, directions of travel, and whether the damage is consistent with the account given.
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05
Estimate impact severity, including speed, delta-V, and occupant loading
When supported by the evidence, we quantify closing speed, change in velocity, and the forces experienced by occupants — the key inputs for any injury-probability assessment.
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06
Document uncertainties, limitations, and alternative plausible scenarios
Every report states what can and cannot be determined, the ranges behind each estimate, and any other scenarios that fit the evidence — so the findings hold up under scrutiny.
This approach allows for clear, defensible conclusions without the delays or costs associated with on-scene inspections.
The discipline
What is accident reconstruction?
Accident reconstruction is a disciplined, physics-based process used to determine the most plausible sequence of events in a collision. Even without a scene inspection, a great deal can be established from the evidence that already exists.
- Final rest positions
- Vehicle damage patterns
- Scene photographs
- Police reports & diagrams
- Repair estimates
- Witness statements
From these data points we assess vehicle dynamics, impact orientation, closing speeds, and whether the reported scenario aligns with the physical evidence and claimed injuries.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
When available, EDR downloads add another layer of insight — pre-impact speed, throttle and brake inputs, steering behavior, and airbag deployment data — to corroborate or challenge statements and reported actions.