Right-turning trucks present a serious hazard to bicyclists. When a collision between a right-turning truck and a bicyclist occurs, the truck driver often does not realize an impact occurred, and the bicyclist is pushed down and dragged by the truck. Such collisions result in serious injury or death. Forensic engineers are retained to investigate and reconstruct such complex collisions. Oftentimes, there are disputes between forensic engineers as to the impact location, visibility, and reaction processes of both the driver and bicyclist. For example, physical evidence related to impact is usually faint and is a subject of debate between forensic engineers. Forensic engineers also disagree on the direct line-of-sight or line-of-sight through mirrors. Further, reactions (or lack thereof) are typically subject to debate. This paper presents the application of various techniques and methodologies to effectively reconstruct collisions between right-turning trucks and bicyclists. Such techniques and methodologies include the identification and verification of faint physical evidence regarding impact location using computer simulation and/or testing, the use of high-definition laser scans and virtual scenes to replicate mirror line-of-sight or obstruction line-of-sight, evaluation of driver and bicyclist reaction processes, and the use of scientific visualizations to effectively communicate complex issues of a case.
This paper presents a case study involving an 8-lb “projectile” piece of concrete thrown from a phantom vehicle into the windshield of a semi-tractor truck, subsequently striking the driver’s (plaintiff’s) head. A witness told the investigating officer that the phantom vehicle was a white-rear dump truck similar to the trucks he’d seen coming in and out of a construction entrance at a nearby park. However, no follow-up investigation was conducted by investigative officers. The lead author was retained by the plaintiff’s attorney to follow up and investigate the witness’ observation of the phantom white-rear dump truck in an attempt to identify the probable source of the concrete projectile, locate the phantom vehicle, reconstruct the incident, and determine the probable cause of the incident. Several forensic engineering techniques were used during the forensic engineering investigation, including evidence analysis, photography, high-definition scanning, photogrammetry, evaluation of the accident timeline, physical testing, case study analysis, projectile analysis, and application of the process of elimination methodology. Through the forensic engineering analysis, the probable source of the projectile concrete was identified, the white-rear dump truck and driver were identified, the accident was reconstructed, and the probable cause of the accident was determined.
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