Dummies Make Us Smarter About Accidents
Posted by
Randy WaltonOctober 19, 2007 4:53 AMAutomobile accident reconstructionists from all over California gathered in Anaheim on Tuesday to take part in the California Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialists' fall conference. As part of the conference, crash testing was done with crash test dummies.
Jerry Eubanks, a nationally recognized forensics expert in the reconstruction of automobile accidents, led the testing, and emphasized that every accident is different.
"I've had a case where at 55 mph there were very, very minor injuries. And I've had a case at 25 mph where there was a complete amputation of the lower legs," Eubanks said.The car hit the 160 pound body at 25mph, knocking it into the air to land on the parking lot pavement 48 feet later. Fortunately the body was that of a crash dummy, and it was hit by a car in the name of science.
Also on hand were police officers from departments all over the state.
"We want to gather some data for these types of accidents," said Deputy Paul Wade of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.Wade said the tests provided valuable data which will help police, insurance and private investigators know what physical evidence to look for in determining what happens in these types of accidents.
"We know a lot about these all ready, but very infrequently do we have time or the means in which we can actually do crash testing," Wade said.
After examining and collecting the physical evidence, mathematical equations developed from the tests can help investigators determine how an accident happened and frequently its cause.
The tests were conducted at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.