Low Velocity Impact

Overview

In accidents where there is minimal or no damage to the vehicles, there is often the question of whether the forces experienced by the vehicle occupants were severe enough to cause injury. Our accident reconstruction experts and biomechanical engineers are highly trained and experienced in determining accident severity and injury potential in low velocity impacts (LVI).

Low speed accident severity is typically measured by the change in velocity (Delta V) of the vehicle. We analyze these impacts from data sent to us (i.e., photographs, repair estimates, police reports, recorded statements, etc.) as an LVI Analysis, and we can also perform vehicle inspections to document the evidence and obtain electronic data from a vehicle’s Event Data Recorder (EDR) as an LVI Investigation. As explained on our Crash Data Retrieval page, this data can provide very important information for the analysis of an accident.

VMAR utilizes crash test data and methods that are published in peer-reviewed sources and taught by the leading organizations in the accident reconstruction field. Our experts have years of experience investigating all types of low velocity impacts, including rear end, frontal, side, and sideswipe configurations.

When You Need to Know . . .

  • What was the level of force acting on the vehicle occupants at impact?
  • Was the force sufficient to cause the injuries claimed in this case?
  • Could the vehicle damages claimed actually have occurred from the impact between these two vehicles?

Detail of Low Velocity Impact Investigation and Analysis Service

  • File review, including examination of police report (if available), vehicle descriptions (year, make, model, VIN, plate), occupant information, nature of injuries claimed, photographs of all involved vehicles or an in person inspection of the vehicles, repair estimates for the involved vehicles, commentary on preexisting damage if applicable, and transcripts or summary of statements
  • Analysis and engineering evaluation of all data provided
  • Comparison of vehicle damages with low-speed crash test data
  • Calculation of barrier-equivalent impact velocities (delta-V) for involved vehicles
  • Comparison of delta-V’s with crash test data and established injury threshold criteria
  • Vehicle bumper alignment drawing for verification of damages claimed
  • Download of data stored in the airbag control module / powertrain control module and interpretation of the downloaded data (when assigned)
  • Thorough photo documentation of inspection and investigation process (when assigned)
  • Preparation of a fully detailed written report to include the scope of assignment and investigation details, results of analysis and engineering evaluation, and statement of conclusions regarding injury potential

Our 21 Day
Guarantee

In the world of claims adjusting we know that you usually have only a 30-day window in which to determine the merits of a claim. That's why we promise to handle your assignment and get the completed report into your hands within 21 calendar days.

And we back our promise with this guarantee:

If we do not get your assignment completed within 21 calendar days, then we cut your cost in half.

VMAR-21-Days-Money-Back-Guarantee