Accident Terms and Definitions

Pedestrian Manifestations
Those items of evidence deposited at the collision scene by the pedestrian during or following impact.

Impending Skidmarks
Also known as shadow skidmarks are small fragments of rubber, ground or scraped from the tire, at the tire and roadway interface, as the rotating tire slows to a locked position.

Frequent or unsafe lane changes
In driver test books there are laws that state what type of passing may be done acording to the yellow lines paited in the road or highway. There are some laws that regulate the distance that a lane change can be made related to an intersection.

Velocity
Speed and direction; used to describe a mode of functioning which is efficient and tightly aligned with conscious intention.

Momentum
The mass of an object multiplied by its velocity. It is a vectored quantity with both magnitude and direction.

Burden of proof
Measure of proof required to prove a fact. Obligation of a party to probe facts at issue in the trial of a case.

Failure to yield the right of way
Can be when you proceed forward while disregarding right of way signs or signals for other cars. You may not be the car that is sopossed to go forward.

Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL)
Calculated based on the following equation: YPLL = Fixed Age - Age at death. Usually the fixed age is 65 or 70, or the life expectancy of the group in question.

Linear Momentum
A quantity associated with the motion of an object along a straight path. The linear momentum of an object is defined to be equal to its mass times its velocity.

Omnibus hearing
A pretrial hearing normally scheduled at the same time the trial date is established. Purpose of the hearing is to ensure each party receives (or "discovers") vital information concerning the case held by the other.