Motorcycle Accident

A motorcycle was cruising through a quiet country road when a tractor-trailer appeared backing out from a driveway. The motorcyclist applied heavy braking resulting in the motorcycling laying down on its side and separating from the rider. Both the motorcycle and the rider slid across the opposing lane and suffered from injury and damages associated with the slide.

Investigation of the accident determined the motorcycle left skid and gouge marks indicating it had lost control and laid down on its side due to locking the rear wheel. Reconstructing the speed and positioning of the motorcycle throughout the accident determined that had the motorcyclist applied reasonable braking to both the front and rear brakes at the position of the rear wheel lock up, the motorcycle could have come to a controlled stop safely before reaching the driveway with the tractor trailer. Also of interest, it was further determined that the rear of the tractor never blocked the thru path of the motorcycle, and had the motorcycle simply maintained speed and position it would have safely passed the trailer without incident.

This case, as many others, indicate the importance of early documentation of an accident scene and thorough consideration of the many factors involved prior to reaching early conclusions.

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Construction Defect

Following a sudden summer down pour in sunny Florida, a commercial facility’s roof collapsed causing significant property damage to very expensive electronic equipment.  Near the center section of roof collapse appeared the remains of a roof drain that displayed a drainage restriction created by a smaller roof membrane opening than allowed by the size of the roof drain fitting (i.e., created a restrictive orifice). Almost immediately blame for the catastrophe was directed at the roofer and plumber who had installed the roof and drain. An investigation revealed the structural collapse included a failure of steel roof truss separating from a precast wall panel. Xray examination of the precast panel documented the designed reinforcing steel for the truss connection to be missing from the concrete panel. Further reconstruction of the rain event (with meteorologist support sing doppler recordings) determined the quantity of water from the rain event was well within the drainage capacity of the subject roof drain. Further evidence of associated steel structural connections not installed per design contributed to cyclical thermal loading of the deficient truss-precast panel connection leading up to its ultimate demise.

This case, as many others, indicate the importance of early documentation and preservation of material evidence of an accident scene and thorough analysis of the systems, and environmental factors that can contribute to such catastrophes.

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Construction Worker Injury

A mechanical contractor was severely injured when working on renovating a commercial hot water heating system.  After shutting down the steam heat exchanger and draining the hot water from the system, the contractor was beginning to install new piping when suddenly he was exposed to scolding water and vapor from the recently opened pipe. The worker fell from his ladder and suffered significant injuries. He claimed the event was caused by facility personnel re-energizing the system without warning.

Equipment Defects DetectionInvestigation of the event included review of the heating system piping and controls. Based on the testified sequence of shut down-drain down steps documented by the contractor, a virtual reenactment displayed the process to leave a large section of piping undrained from the floor above the location of accident. It was determined that this portion of pipe filled water was consistent with the quantity of water resulting from the spill. Further review of the system indicated that had the drain down procedure included a complete procedure, the only available source of the hot water in question would have been completely drained leaving no potential for the accident to occur. The virtual reenactment also depicted that had the event occurred as alleged, the system being re-energized by facility personnel, the hot water could not have been generated through a properly drained system.

This case, as many others, indicate the importance of early documentation of an accident scene and thorough analysis of these systems, performance, and controls prior to reaching early conclusions.

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Vehicle Accident Reconstruction

A passenger vehicle driver was waiting for traffic to clear to make a left turn at a traffic light. As the light turned yellow, a vehicle approaching to far from the intersection to make the light appeared to begin braking. As the turning vehicle began to cross thru the intersection it suddenly collided with the approaching vehicle. The driver of the turning vehicle was ticketed for failure to yield the right of way. An analysis of the vehicle damages, position of vehicle points of rest, and review of surveillance video from neighboring properties, was used to determine the speed of vehicles at impact and the positioning, speed, and timing of the vehicles thru the intersection.  Analysis of the traffic signal programming in effect at the time indicated the approaching vehicle to have received an earlier yellow light phase attributable to approaching from a higher speed limit zone than the turning vehicle.

Accident Reconstruction - REK Engineering

A reconstruction of the accident resulted in the factual basis of determining the approaching vehicle was speeding and entered the intersection under a red light. Supported by the surveillance video, the turning vehicle had already entered the intersection, properly waited for the light to change, and proceeded with the expectation of right of way. The reconstruction resulted in the ticket being dismissed without further legal proceedings between the parties.

This case, as many others, indicate the importance of early documentation of an accident scene and thorough consideration of the many factors involved prior to reaching early conclusions.

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