By: Kristopher J. Seluga, PE
Tel: (203) 329-9909
Email: Technology Associates
In many vehicle rollover investigations, it is necessary to know not only the speeds and motions of the vehicles involved, but the causes of injuries suffered by their occupants as well. Such investigations seek to answer questions regarding occupant ejection, effects of seatbelt use, roof crush and body-interior impacts. Obtaining answers often requires advanced roof structural analyses and three-dimensional computer simulations of the rollover motion itself. When analyzing a rollover accident, computer simulation is an invaluable tool, which allows us to model rollover motion and roof crush and can be used to create animations of the accident.
Expertise | Questions Answered |
| We have extensive experience in many aspects of computer simulation including: |
|
| Through scientific analysis, we can help you answer pertinent questions such as: |
|
SUV Rollover:
An SUV lost control and traveled over a portion of highway guardrail before rolling down an embankment, destroying the roll cage's integrity. The defense theorized the driver was killed by intruding guardrail posts as the SUV rolled along the guardrail, and that a stronger roll cage design would not have protected him. We reconstructed the entire accident using computer modeling, which disproved the defense's theory and showed that the driver would have survived if the roll cage had been designed stronger.
SUV Rollover Ejection:
A woman driving an SUV was seriously injured when her vehicle rolled over due to the negligence of another driver. The SUV driver was ejected because she was unbelted. The defense claimed that, based upon statistical studies, she would not have been injured if she had been belted. We demonstrated that, her major injuries were caused by her impact with the door interior and would have been inflicted even if she had been belted and had not been ejected. The case settled in the plaintiff's favor.
Kristopher J. Seluga, PE, is a Mechanical Engineering, Accident Reconstruction, Biomechanics, and Safety Expert with over 20 years of experience. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the Mechanical Engineering department at MIT where he worked on the development of novel three-dimensional printing technologies. Mr. Seluga is also a licensed Professional Engineer in New York and Connecticut, and has served as a member of the ANSI engineering committee for the Z130.1 and Z135 standards for golf cars and PTV's. His research interests and peer reviewed publications span the topics of Motor Vehicle Dynamics, Product Safety, and Biomechanics.
©Copyright - All Rights Reserved
DO NOT REPRODUCE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY AUTHOR.
8/7/2009· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
Forensic Engineering Experts: Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the application of mechanics to the interaction of biological systems with their external environment. When investigating an accident, biomechanical analysis can be used to reconstruct a victim’s motion and relate it to his injuries.
7/22/2009· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
Forensic Engineering Experts: Warnings
A warning must inform individuals of a danger, which would not be obvious to them. It must tell them how to avoid the danger, and be easily understood. It should also provide them with the consequences of not heading the warning.
7/31/2009· Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
Forensic Engineering Experts: Swimming Pools
Though swimming pool accidents are sometimes the result of reckless participant behavior, they can also be caused by inadequate supervision, warnings, structures, or defective pool design. Structures commonly found in or near swimming pools include slides, ladders, diving surfaces and fencing.
