Collision Reconstruction
Collision reconstruction — also called accident reconstruction or traffic crash reconstruction — uses physical evidence, vehicle damage, roadway information and available electronic data to evaluate how a crash occurred. M&M Security Services provides technical vehicle collision analysis, expert reporting and testimony for passenger-vehicle and commercial-vehicle collision matters.
Included Capabilities
- Expert reports
- Expert-witness testimony
- Speed analysis
- Crush analysis
- Time-and-distance analysis
Areas of Expertise
Collision reconstruction evaluates available evidence to understand how a motor vehicle collision occurred. The scope of any analysis depends on the evidence that exists and the questions involved in the matter.
- Motor vehicle collision reconstruction
- Vehicle collision analysis
- Crash reconstruction using physical and roadway evidence
- Scene-evidence evaluation and documentation
- Vehicle-damage evaluation
- Available electronic crash-data review
What Collision Reconstruction Is
Collision reconstruction is the application of physics, engineering principles and forensic methods to determine how a vehicle collision occurred. A reconstructionist examines physical evidence from the roadway and vehicles, reviews available electronic data, and applies established analytical methods to evaluate factors such as speed, direction, timing and the sequence of events.
Types of Evidence That May Be Evaluated
- Roadway evidence such as skid marks, yaw marks, gouge marks and debris patterns
- Vehicle damage including crush depth, contact patterns and structural deformation
- Electronic data from supported event data recorders (EDR) or airbag control modules (ACM)
- Scene photographs, drone documentation and 3D scan data
- Witness statements and available video recordings
- Traffic-control devices, signal timing and roadway geometry
How Speed, Crush and Time-Distance Analyses Support an Investigation
Speed Analysis
Estimates vehicle speeds before and during a collision using physical evidence such as skid marks, yaw marks and vehicle damage.
Crush Analysis
Evaluates the extent and pattern of vehicle deformation to estimate the energy involved in a collision and the change in velocity (Delta-V).
Time-and-Distance Analysis
Examines the timing and spacing of events to evaluate questions such as how long a driver had to react or whether a collision was avoidable.
How Findings May Support Civil or Criminal Litigation
Reconstruction findings may be presented in expert reports and through expert-witness testimony in both civil and criminal proceedings. An attorney may use reconstruction analysis to evaluate the strength of a case, prepare for deposition or trial, or assess the credibility of other accounts of a collision. Reconstruction does not determine legal liability — that is the role of the court or jury.
Investigation, Analysis, Reporting and Testimony
Collecting and documenting physical evidence, electronic data and scene information.
Applying scientific and engineering methods to evaluate what the evidence shows.
Documenting findings, methods and conclusions in a written expert report.
Presenting and explaining findings under oath in deposition or at trial, subject to cross-examination.
When to Contact a Reconstruction Specialist
An attorney, insurer or investigator should contact a reconstruction specialist as early as possible after a collision. Early involvement helps preserve physical and electronic evidence before vehicles are repaired, scrapped or altered. A specialist can also advise on what information and access will be needed to perform a meaningful analysis.
Meet Our Reconstructionist
Jason "Judd" Joy, President and Collision Reconstructionist, has provided deposition and trial testimony in state and federal courts since 2000. View his full biography, credentials and expert-witness history.
View Judd Joy's Full Bio & CVQuestions We Address
What is collision reconstruction?
Collision reconstruction is the technical analysis of available physical, vehicle and roadway evidence to evaluate how a motor vehicle collision occurred. A reconstructionist applies physics, engineering principles and forensic methods to reach objective technical conclusions about the crash.
What can collision reconstruction help determine?
Depending on the available evidence, reconstruction may help evaluate vehicle speeds, the sequence of events, vehicle movement and the factors that contributed to a collision. It provides technical information; it does not determine legal liability, which is the role of the court or jury.
What is the difference between crash investigation and collision reconstruction?
Crash investigation is the collection and documentation of evidence at the scene. Collision reconstruction is the subsequent technical analysis of that evidence to evaluate how the collision occurred. Investigation gathers the information; reconstruction interprets it.
When should a collision reconstruction expert be retained?
A reconstruction expert should be retained as early as practical after a collision. Early involvement helps preserve physical and electronic evidence before vehicles are repaired, scrapped or altered, and allows the specialist to advise on what information and access will be needed.
Can a collision reconstruction expert assist attorneys in litigation?
Yes. A reconstruction expert can prepare expert reports, consult on case evaluation, and provide deposition or trial testimony in civil and criminal proceedings. An attorney can advise on when expert testimony is appropriate for a specific case.
Professional Credentials & Testimony
M&M Security Services has provided collision reconstruction, vehicle-data retrieval and expert-witness testimony in state and federal matters since 2000. Review the documented qualifications and testimony history that support this work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Focus Areas
Discuss a Case
For collision reconstruction assignments, expert reports, or testimony availability, contact M&M Security Services directly by email or phone.