ELLIOTT & JONES,LLC is a Nevada based company founded in August 1997. Although motor vehicle
reconstruction, forensic animation, and pedestrian slip/trip & fall accidents are our primary specialty, we
perform in-depth mechanical engineering analysis of all forms of accidents, including work place incidents
and product defect cases.
ELLIOTT & JONES,LLC provides a wide range of accident reconstruction services,
including litigation support immediately following an accident and continuing through the
final court proceedings.Together, both court qualified partners of ELLIOTT & JONES, LLC
have over twenty years of experience in accident reconstruction with each having obtained
a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering as well as their Professional Engineering
Licenses. Both partners are in the process of obtaining a Master of Science in Biomedical
Engineering. Additionally, they are certified to download crash data using the Crash Data
Retrieval System and are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident
Reconstruction (ACTAR).
FORENSIC ANIMATION
Forensic animation is the use of 3-D computer graphics to clearly illustrate complex concepts to a
non-technical jury. HVE (Human-Vehicle-Environment), 3DS Studio Max, and a VICON 12 camera motion
capture system can be utilized to build vehicle and environment models, simulate real-world crashes,
recreate exact human motion, and produce studio quality results.
Multi-Occupant Human Impact Simulation
Multi-Vehicle Collisions and Simulations
Tractor-Trailer Simulations
Simulation of Tire Blow-outs and Rollovers
Line of Sight Simulated from Driver’s Perspective
3D Environment Models Produced from Survey Data
Vehicle impacts utilize EDSMAC4 for validated results.
Animations not involving motor vehicle occupant kinematics,
utilize a VICON 12 camera motion capture system to model human
motion and ensure accurate kinematics.
Visual presentations are extremely persuasive to juries as technical opinions are illustrated
instead of explained verbally. Additionally, animations are nearly 100% admissible since they
convey an expert’s opinion. Forensic animations can and will persuade a jury to accept your
position by enhancing their understanding of the facts. Studies have shown that individuals who
experienced a visual presentation in addition to a verbal presentation retained approximately
85% of the information as opposed to retaining only 10% with oral presentations alone.
SLIP/TRIP & FALLS
Elliott & Jones, LLC utilizes the English XL Slipmeter for slip resistance measurements
of any walking surface. The XL is recognized by ASTM/ANSI F1679, ASTM D5859, and
other specialized test standards for its use by ASTM, NFPA, and ANSI committees as well
as OSHA and ADA compliance. It is also the slipmeter of choice among competent experts
and is widely accepted in the courts. Slips don’t occur on clean dry surfaces, thus the XL
was designed primarily for valid measurement of wet or otherwise lubricated surfaces,
while incorporating dynamics that mimic certain parameters of a pedestrian's gait. It is
the only slipmeter equipped with a stair fixture that enables the metering of traction on step
nosings parallel to the direction of pedestrian travel.
The XL can be used on wet or oily surfaces with reliable results.
The XL is the only portable slipmeter approved for wet testing.
The XL mimics heel contact during normal ambulation.
Elliott & Jones, LLC is certified by the International Safety Academy for operation of the
English XL Variable Incidence Tribometer.
CRASH DATA RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
In 2000, General Motors allowed the release of equipment, which is capable of retrieving crash
data stored in a vehicle's SDM (Sensing and Diagnostic Module). The Sensing and Diagnostic Module
is the "brain" of the airbag deployment system and determines within milliseconds whether or not the
impact is severe enough to deploy the airbags. Most General Motors vehicles produced since 1994
have crash data recording capability. The crash data was originally designed to aid General Motors
engineers in assessing the performance of airbag deployment and to advance the system's design.
Until recently, the data stored in the Sensing and Diagnostic Module was kept a secret as General
Motors deemed the information proprietary. However, due to recent court rulings in which General
Motors was ordered to divulge the SDM crash data, General Motors has decided to provide accessibility
of the crash data to outside entities. Listed below is the data recorded by the SDM:
Vehicle Speed (from 5 seconds to 1 second before impact)
Engine Speed (from 5 seconds to 1 second before impact)
Brake Status (from 5 seconds to 1 second before impact)
Throttle Position (from 5 seconds to 1 second before impact)
State of driver's seat belt switch (on/off)
Passenger's airbag enabled or disabled state (on/off)
SIR warning lamp status (on/off)
Time from vehicle impact to airbag deployment
Ignition cycle count at time of accident
Ignition cycle count at time of investigation
Maximum Delta V for near-deployment event
Delta V vs. time for frontal airbag deployment event
Time from vehicle impact to time of maximum Delta V
Ford Motor Company has recorded crash data since 1997 and entered into a contract with the Crash
Data Retrieval System. The Crash Data Retrieval System is capable of downloading most vehicles
manufactured by Ford Motor Company. (List of supported vehicles available)
The CDR System can be used to help determine the severity of minor impacts. However, since the data
is stored in a near-deployment file, it can be overwritten after 250 ignition cycles. Therefore,
obtaining quick access to the striking vehicle is essential.
VEHICLE RECONSTRUCTION CAPABILITIES
Speed of vehicle/vehicles prior to impact or skidding using laws of conservation of energy,
conservation of momentum, and uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion.
Angle of impact, orientation of vehicles prior to impact, and roadway position of impact.
Time vs. distance analysis; often used to determine whether an accident would have occurred
if the posted speed limit for one or both drivers was obeyed.
Accident scene diagramming and computer generated plots.
Collision severity of low speed rear-end, front-end, and lateral or side-swipe impacts.
