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DID THAT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE’S BUMPER OCCUR AS REPORTED OR WAS IT ENHANCED?

September 21, 2016

Accident reconstructionists are often asked to determine whether the damage to a vehicle’s bumper is consistent with the reported accident or crash. While performing an inspection and analysis of the damage in question, the reconstructionist will generally be considering the following:

  • The forces transferred to and from the bumper must be equal and opposite.
  • The principal direction of forces between the bumper and the other vehicle/objects will define the line of action and the resulting bumper deformation.
  • The deformation of the bumper will at first be elastic. Elastic deformation means that upon removal of force, the bumper will return to its original shape. Above a certain level of force and induced stress, the deformation of the bumper will become plastic, or permanently deformed. There may also be a level of restitution.
  • Bumper cuts, tears, and shapes of deformation should be explainable relative to contact with another vehicle, an object (such as a tree) or a sequence of events (i.e., the bumper fell off and was subsequently run over by another vehicle).

Additional bumper contact or hammer marks, slices/cuts, or damage inconsistent with an accident or subsequent series of events can indicate vehicle damage enhancement. If enhancement is suspected, ARCCA’s Experts can make a determination based upon their inspection and analysis of the data.

PETER CHEN, M.S.M.E., M.B.A., P.E., CFEI, ACTAR, is a mechanical engineer at ARCCA specializing in Accident Reconstruction, Fire Cause/Origin, Product Failure/Liability, Car/Truck Failure Analysis, Industrial Equipment, Worksite Safety, Aviation, Medical/Rehabilitative and Exercise Equipment, Warnings and Instructions, and Transportation, including Railroad incidents.

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  • Our Company
    • Our History
    • Locations
    • Sales Team
    • NEWS
  • Our Experts
  • Capabilities
    • Forensic Engineering & Expert Witness Consulting
      • Biomechanics
      • Accident Reconstruction
      • Human Factors /Premises Liability
      • Failure Analysis/ Engineering
      • Transportation & Crashworthiness
      • Fire & Explosion
      • Property
      • Visuals & Animations
    • Sports Biomechanics & Human Performance
      • Helmet Performance
      • Protective Equipment
      • Arena/Stadium Safety
    • Research, Development, Testing & Evaluation
      • Dynamic Impact Testing
      • General Testing
      • Static Strength Testing
  • Client Resources
    • SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT
    • Request A Seminar
    • EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
    • EVIDENCE STORAGE
  • Case Studies
  • Blog
  • CAREERS
  • Contact Us
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