Tag Archives: Pot hole accident

Pot hole accident expert Dr. John Lloyd has served attorneys nationwide for 25+ years in biomechanics, human factors, helmet testing and motorcycle accident expert

Motorcycle Pothole Crash

Motorcycles are highly sensitive to changes in roadway conditions. Potholes can destabilize a motorcycle, causing the rider to lose control. The following is a case in which a rider claimed he was traveling at only 15 miles per hour, when he came upon a large pothole in the roadway and lost control. The motorcycle fell to the right, with the right foot peg penetrating the rider’s leg, leading to a near amputation of his right foot. Dr. Lloyd was retained to investigate the cause of the motorcycle pothole crash.

Test Instrumentation

An exemplar Honda CBR 929RR motorcycle was acquired and instrumented with accelerometers installed on the front axle, rear axle and handlebars:

motorcycle pothole crash sensors

Data acquisition was controlled using a National Instruments cDAQ 9178 and acquired at 10 kHz per channel on a Windows tablet running LabVIEW software:

motorcycle pothole crash data collection

Pothole Crash Testing

Using the instrumented motorcycle, Dr. Lloyd constructed an exemplar pothole in an open parking lot using ramps to investigate how the length and depth of the pothole affected stability of the motorcycle. In addition to sensors, testing was recorded using high speed and standard video, as well as GoPro cameras mounted on the motorcycle

motorcycle pothole crash testing

Results

Based on analyses and physical evidence, that the speed of the motorcycle while crossing the roadway defect was likely 14 -18 miles per hour. At such speeds, the front and rear suspensions have a tendency to approach maximum compression. along with substantial deformation of the tires.

Conclusions

Dr. Lloyd determined that the motorcycle crash was caused due to the motorcycle accelerating as it crossed the pothole. When the rear wheel crossed the fore edge of the defect it lost contact with the roadway and the rear wheel speed increased without resistance. Upon contact with the aft edge of the roadway defect the rear wheel was at a higher rate of speed than the rest of the motorcycle, causing the motorcycle to unexpectedly wheelie.

motorcycle pothole crash video

Please call Dr. Lloyd at 813-624-8986 or email DrJohnLloyd@Tampabay.RR.com to discuss how he can be of help to you with your case.

Accident Reconstruction

In the United States there are 11 million motor vehicle accidents each year, more than 400,000 of which result in death. The most common injuries resulting from automobile accidents are to the head, brain, neck, and low back. The evaluation of such cases often involves a team of experts, including accident reconstruction, biomechanics and human factors experts.

As an expert witness in biomechanics and human factors as well as a certified accident reconstructionist for motorcycle crashes, automobile accident, and truck collisions, r. John Lloyd is a highly qualified testifying expert witness.

accident reconstruction expert Dr. John Lloyd

Accident Reconstruction

First the accident reconstructionist evaluates the physical evidence from a crash scene, including skid marks, gouges and other roadway markings, along with crush information from the vehicles along with their final rest positions. This evidence is used to calculate the change in velocity of the subject vehicles. 

Biomechanical Analysis

lloyd accident reconstruction biomechanica modelingThe complete anatomy of the crash (pre and post impact vehicle speeds, whether or not seat belts were worn, faulty airbags, etc.) is conveyed to the biomechanics expert.

Biomechanists use this information to determine occupant kinematics (motion of the vehicle occupants in response to the impact), kinetics (forces acting on various body parts as a result of the collision) and injury mechanisms. This can include the impact to the head and forces transmitted to the brain, blunt trauma to the low back, and shear forces to the cervical vertebrae. Findings are used to determine whether impact locations and forces provide a causal explanation for claimed injuries. Hence the biomechanist can provide rationale as to whom was at fault for the sustained injuries.

As an expert witness in biomechanics and human factors as well as a certified accident reconstructionist for motorcycle crashes, automobile accidents, truck collisions, in addition to bicycle and pedestrian accidents, Dr. John Lloyd is highly valued expert for the evaluation of motor vehicle crashes.

Call Dr. Lloyd at 813-624-8986 or email DrJohnLloyd@Tampabay.RR.com to discuss how he can be of help to you with your case.