Proving Innocence with Physics in Accident

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around a traffic accident where the user seeks to validate their calculations regarding the speed of the other vehicle involved. The user determined that the other driver, who ran a red light, hit their car at approximately 14 mph based on physics calculations involving the distance pushed and the weight of the car. Despite the calculations, the forum members emphasized that proving fault in such accidents relies more on judgment and caution rather than physics, leading to the user's ticket for not yielding properly.

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  • Understanding of basic physics principles, particularly momentum and friction.
  • Familiarity with traffic laws and intersection rules.
  • Knowledge of how to perform calculations involving mass, distance, and speed.
  • Ability to interpret police reports and traffic citations.
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  • Research the principles of momentum in physics to understand vehicle collisions.
  • Learn about traffic accident reconstruction techniques.
  • Study local traffic laws regarding left turns and right-of-way.
  • Explore case studies on traffic accident liability and fault determination.
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Individuals involved in traffic accidents, legal professionals, insurance adjusters, and anyone interested in understanding the physics of vehicle collisions and traffic law implications.

TChadwick
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I understand that most likely there are no accident experts on this forum and I am not looking for one per-say. I was in an accident where I turned left after entering the intersection on a yellow, pausing for a red and then proceeding, only to be hit by a guy running the red light. We both received tickets for running a red light and I received a warning for not yielding to him. I have done what I believe is the correct math to determine that he hit me doing roughly 14 mph, and I'm hoping those on this forum might be willing to double-check my math. I welcome any and all assistance! When the gentlemen hit me, he pushed me approximately 2.732532 meters based off some convenient scraping. My car weighs 1715.48634 kg and using a coefficient of friction of 0.75 (split difference from source 1: 0.7 http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/frict.html#coe and source 2: 0.8, http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/crstp.html#c1) Resulting in:

D = (Vinitial 2) / (2 * u * g)
2.732532 meters = (Vinitial 2) / (2 * 0.75 * 9.8)
Vinitial = 6.3378403577 m/s
Can anyone check this?

Thanks again for any and all help!
 
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cant say anything about physics, but in this case, i don't believe you can use that to prove fault
if that's what your wanting to do

if i understand right, your at and intersection, making a left, pass the light/line on a yellow
wait for an opening, then get clipped by oncomming traffic while their light is now red

this situation is "a matter of proper judgment and caution"

the reason you got ticketed is the officer decided you failed to properly judge wether you would
be able to make your turn safely before the light change of oncomming traffic (the timmings have an offset for turn lane)

there's is no dissagreement as to thay hit you, but that you should have already been gone
or have stopped behind the line and waited for next light

and that is what the officer had to make a judgment on
 
I'm sorry but we don't get involved in helping people with physics or math for traffic accidents. Thread locked.
 

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