When accidents involving ATVs/UTVs have occurred, ARCCA’s accident reconstructionists, biomechanical experts and crashworthiness engineers have been asked to study the handling characteristics and occupant protection design of the ATV/UTV or similar off-road type vehicle.
In one particular case, ARCCA reconstructionists were asked to determine the rate of speed of a UTV that experienced a rollover. A site inspection and a speed and stability study were conducted. The crashworthiness engineer evaluated the overall performance of the UTV to determine whether the occupant protection system was adequate to protect the occupant. The biomechanical expert utilized the information obtained to determine how the injuries occurred and whether an alternative design might have prevented those injuries.