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Collision reconstruction

Motorcycle reconstruction

Motorcycles require special consideration relative to cars. Determining speed, avoidability, and rider performance takes training and riding experience that general reconstruction practice does not supply.

Our motorcycle work is led by engineers who ride competitively and who have spent their careers researching and teaching in this specialized field, including the development of Northwestern University’s motorcycle collision reconstruction course and the motorcycle chapter of its forthcoming textbook.

We conducted the first public crash testing of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, at the 2016 World Reconstruction Exposition, and the updated motorcycle impact-speed equations that came out of it were published by SAE in 2018.

That work extends past the collision itself into helmet performance and head injury biomechanics, so a single engagement can address both how a crash happened and how the rider’s injuries were produced.

Scope

What this covers

Collision analysis

  • Impact speed from motorcycle and vehicle damage
  • Braking, sliding friction, and deceleration capability
  • Engine braking and gear-dependent deceleration
  • Avoidability and rider hazard response time

Rider and equipment

  • Rider glance behavior and perception-response
  • Motorcycle dynamics at the limits of capability
  • Helmet performance and impact attenuation
  • Motorcycle EDR and speedometer needle-position analysis

Peer-reviewed research

Published work behind this practice area

Authored by our engineers and peer-reviewed by external experts.

2018

Exploration and Validation of the Ducati Data Analyzer

Peck, L.

Accident Reconstruction Journal, January/February 2018

  • Motorcycle
  • EDR and telematics
All publications

Who does this work

Engineers on this practice area

Louis R. Peck

PE, ACTAR

Motorcycle reconstruction, photogrammetry, and testing

  • Motorcycle reconstruction
  • Photogrammetry
  • Testing

12 publications

Christopher Romo

ACTAR

Accident reconstruction and biomechanics

  • 3D reconstruction and collision simulation
  • Biomechanics and occupant kinematics
  • EDR, HVEDR, and infotainment data acquisition
  • Mechanical inspection and restraint system analysis

Tyler Shaw

MSBE

Motorcycle reconstruction, helmet performance, and biomechanics

  • Motorcycle reconstruction
  • Helmet performance
  • Biomechanics

3 publications

Request a case review

Send us the incident location, the date, and what is in dispute. We'll discuss what analysis is possible with the evidence that exists, and what it would take to get.