Insights

When an autonomous vehicle crashes, fault isn't always obvious. Was it driver error, a software failure, or a defect in design? Courts are still catching up to the technology, and the answer often depends on data most people never see: sensor logs, event recorders, and a clear reconstruction of what happened before impact. From Level 2 driver assist to full automation, the level of the system changes where liability tends to land, but it rarely settles the question on its own

When working through an automotive accident claim or preparing for litigation, having fast, reliable technical reference points matters. Peter R. Thom & Associates offers a free suite of accident reconstruction calculators on our website, giving attorneys, insurance adjusters, and claims professionals a starting point for common reconstruction calculations, at no cost and with no consultation required.

Traffic and mapping applications have become far more than commuter conveniences. For legal professionals, insurance carriers, and accident reconstruction experts, these platforms now represent a legitimate layer of evidence, data, and context. Understanding how they work and how they intersect with collision analysis can be a meaningful advantage in automotive litigation, claims handling, and case preparation.

Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) gives accident recon experts access to real-time, infrastructure-generated records that can verify or challenge driver and witness accounts, strengthen litigation timelines, and deliver more defensible findings for attorneys, insurance adjusters, and claims professionals.

Our automotive forensic consulting team integrates Human Factors Analysis with traditional automotive accident reconstruction to deliver a complete picture of what happened and why.

Event data recorders (EDRs) provide valuable crash data, but accuracy depends on sensors, interpretation, and context. Learn the strengths, limits, and legal impact of EDR evidence.

Discover how EDR black box data reveals speed, braking, and driver behavior to reconstruct crashes, validate evidence, and strengthen accident litigation cases.

Learn why driver perception and reaction time are critical in accident reconstruction. This detailed overview explains how investigators analyze visibility, decision-making, and response intervals to determine fault, sequence of events, and crash preventability.

Discover how human factors such as distraction, impairment, reaction time, and decision-making contribute to crash outcomes. This in-depth guide breaks down key behavioral influences, why they matter, and how understanding them can help prevent accidents and improve roadway safety.

Discover how Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems revolutionize vehicle safety by detecting hazards, warning drivers, and autonomously applying brakes to prevent collisions. Learn how AEB works, its benefits, limitations, and future innovations like AI, V2X communication, and sensor fusion that will redefine road safety and driving confidence.

Learn how automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems are transforming road safety. Discover what the automakers’ autobrake pledge means, how AEB works, its benefits, limitations, maintenance tips, and what first-time car buyers should know before purchasing vehicles equipped with this advanced safety technology.

Discover if autonomous vehicles are the future of automated driving and explore 10 game-changing benefits every first-time user should know for a safer, smarter ride.

Estimating vehicle speed at the moment of a collision is crucial for insurance adjusters and attorneys. This estimation can make a significant difference in claims and legal outcomes. Whether it's a car crash on a busy highway or a fender bender in a parking lot, the speed of the vehicles involved impacts everything from injury severity to liability issues. This post will examine several techniques for vehicle speed estimation that professionals can use to establish a clearer

Discover how Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) improve stopping power, control, and crash prevention. Learn what the data says, and how to use ABS correctly to stay safe behind the wheel.

Understanding braking distance is crucial for accurate accident analysis. When a vehicle suddenly needs to stop, the distance it travels before coming to a complete halt can reveal important details about the accident. This knowledge helps investigators determine factors like vehicle speed, driver reaction time, and road conditions. Mastering braking distance analysis is essential for professionals involved in traffic safety, accident reconstruction, and law enforcement. The

Discover how motorcycle ABS helps beginner riders brake safer and smarter. Learn why anti-lock brakes are the #1 must-have safety feature for new motorcyclists.

Discover how the updated Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) impacts bicyclists and pedestrians across the U.S., including key safety improvements and infrastructure changes.

Learn how the updated MUTCD empowers cities to design smarter, safer infrastructure with greater flexibility, improved signage, and modern standards that support all modes of transportation.

Discover why speeding-related deaths in the U.S. have reached a 14-year high, the contributing factors behind the surge, and what can be done to reverse the trend.

Learn how Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology helps you become a safer driver by alerting you to speed limits, reducing crash risk, and promoting better road awareness.