• single vehicle accidents, including going off the roadway and striking
  

  fixed items, such as utility poles

• two vehicle collisions, at various angles, such as:
  

• accidents involving:
  

• automobiles • pick-up trucks • vans • sport utility vehicles (SUVs)  • cars • pickup trucks 
  

• specialized smaller vehicles, such as ambulances and ambulettes
  

• motorcycles • off-road motorbikes • motorcyclists
  

• bicycles • bicyclists
  

• pedestrians • motorists • vehicle passengers
  

• school buses • city buses
  

• railroad trains
  

• agricultural equipment, including farm tractors and trailers
  

• accident site inspection, measurement and photography
  

• inspection, measurement and photography of damaged vehicles and vehicle components
  

• inspection of vehicle lamps (headlights, taillights, etc.) and lamp filaments, when appropriate
  

• sight distance and nighttime visibility studies
  

• skid testing of vehicles and determination of "drag" factors
  

• accident sight photogrammetry • graphical photogrammetry from photographs
  

• evaluation of roadway surface condition, skidmarks, yawmarks, scuff marks, other tiremarks, gouges, other roadway and off-roadway surface damage, and debris
  

• evaluation of vehicle and vehicle component damage, including evaluation of vehicle lamp and lamp filament condition to determine if lamps were on at collision
  

• evaluation of mechanical injuries to pedestrians and vehicle occupants
  

• evaluation of roadway design and pre-accident condition (for safety) and traffic control devices, such as lane lines, warning and other signs, traffic control lights and other signals (for suitability)
  

• preparation of scale site drawings, and use in accident analysis
  

• determination of the pre-collision movements of vehicles and pedestrians in relation to time, distance and each other (time-distance studies)
  

• engineering analysis of the movements (dynamics) of vehicles, pedestrians, and vehicle occupants during an accident, relative to each other, and relative to fixed items in the accident area, such as utility poles
  

• determination of acceleration and maneuverability capabilities of vehicles, particularly related to possible accident activities
  

• complete traffic accident reconstruction, both manually and by computer, to address the required issues
  

• speeds of vehicles at various points before and during an accident
  

• locations of vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, etc., before and at various times during an accident
  

• sight distance, nighttime visibility and weather-impeded visibility
  

• appropriateness of roadway design and traffic control devices (such as lane lines, warning and other signs, and traffic control and pedestrian control signals), and their relation to an accident
  

• the relation of the condition of roadway facilities to an accident, including drainage issues related to water and/or ice on the roadway
  

• answers to questions, such as:
  

• Were all vehicles moving at collision?  If not, which ones were moving and stopped?
  

• Did vehicles stop at stop signs or red lights before collision?
  

• Which vehicle was left of center first, and also at collision?
  

• Which vehicle occupant was driving when the accident occurred?
  

• Were the headlights and/or other vehicle lights on at collision?
  

• What was the accident causation?
  

• Did the roadway configuration, construction or condition cause or contribute to the accident?
  

• What was the relation of the accident factors to the accident causation?
  

• Could the accident have been avoided by any participant in the accident?
  

Earned Certificates of Successful Completion in 9 courses, over 8 1/2 weeks, in the Traffic Accident Investigation and Reconstruction program at Northwestern University Traffic Institute / Center for Public Safety, including:

• Technical Accident Investigation (2 weeks)
  

• Vehicle Dynamics (1 week)
  

• Traffic Accident Reconstruction (2 weeks)
  

• Continued Case Studies in Traffic Accident Reconstruction (1 week)
  

• Computer-Assisted Traffic Accident Reconstruction (1 week)
  

• Motorcycle Accident Reconstruction (2 days)
  

• Vehicle Lamp Examination [collision damage interpretation] (3 days)
  

• Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) Technician 1 & 2 [retrieval of accident related event data from automobile and light truck event data recorders (EDRs)*]  (2 courses, 1 day each)
  

Madden Accident Analysis & Forensic Engineering

8803 Brecksville Road, Suite 7-216, Cleveland, Ohio 44141

phone: 440-838-1191    fax: 440-838-1192

email address: maddenforensic@yahoo.com

website: www.maddenforensic.com

MAAFE

Madden

Accident

Analysis & 

Forensic

Engineering

MAAFE

Consultation is available before starting a case. We invite you to

consult with us. There is no charge for an initial phone consultation.

Call us, or if you prefer we can schedule the consultation in advance.

Consultation with James D. Madden, PE, a Professional Engineer, and Forensic

Engineering Consulting and Testifying Expert Witness, is available to the client at all

times during the work - before, during, and after the investigation,

engineering analysis, reconstruction, report, and any other work on the case.

The qualifications of James D. Madden, P.E., Senior Forensic Engineer, Consulting and Testifying

Forensic Engineer and Accident Reconstruction Engineer,

are listed in the              Expertise    and      Work & Specialties      sections. 

Download a Summary or Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume' for James D. Madden, P.E.,

email us, and bookmark this website.

     ualifications of James D. Madden, P.E., Senior Forensic Engineer

     ownloads and Links -  Curriculum Vitae, Email and Bookmark

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For mailing address, phone, fax and email address click a button below the Fee Schedule section.

     ontact information

     ee Schedule

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Over the last 28 years we have regularly worked on accidents which occurred in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York and nearby, including inspections of accident sites, equipment, and facilities, with reports and testimony. During these 28 years we have also worked on accidents which occurred in other states, and equipment and facilities located in other states, with inspections of accident sites, equipment, and facilities, from Utah to Vermont, to North Carolina, with reports and testimony for these accidents, when applicable.

     eographic Area of Practice - North America

Contact us to discuss your case by phone at NO CHARGE.

This consultation can be scheduled in advance to meet your schedule.

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Contact us by phone, fax, mail or email for a copy of the Fee Schedule for charges for engineering

and consulting services and testimony.  Click a button below for contact information.

attended seminars on traffic accident investigation and reconstruction presented by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

legislation and codes and standards for traffic applications. These codes and standards are prepared by state and federal authorities and take into consideration the more restricted role that Safeguards can take in use with highways and roadways compared to, for example, stationary machinery. These codes and standards include the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices issued by the various states and the federal government.

These codes and standards, and associated manuals, also take into consideration the significant role that drivers, other users of the roadways and persons who encounter roadways, play in the traffic system. These also take into consideration the long history of the use of written signage, auditory warnings (for example, bells at railroad crossings), symbols on signage and roadway surfaces, and visual control devices (for example, traffic control lights), and the expectations that this long history brings from the public.

Of particular concern is the fact that for this traffic system, to be fully effective, it must be learned by all drivers, in most cases at a relatively early age, and changes cannot be easily communicated to all drivers over the subsequent decades, once they have learned the system.

For more information on Safeguards and Warnings  click on >>>

took 9 courses, as listed below, at the Northwestern University Traffic Institute/Center for Public Safety, specifically designed to teach investigation and reconstruction of traffic accidents,based on engineering mechanics, physics and mathematics, using the tools of accident investigation and reconstruction

●  verbal reports, by telephone or in face-to-face conferences

We present the results of our investigations, engineering analyses and reconstructions in

the client's choice of any, or all, of the following:

     resentation of results of our work

For more on qualifications click on >>>

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Our work investigating, analyzing and reconstructing accidents, and presenting the results, may include any

or all of the following, depending on the needs of the case:

●  inspection of the accident site, such as a roadway, outdoor facilities, building or industrial facilities

●  inspection of the involved equipment, during operation (such as industrial equipment), or in damaged

                                                                      condition (such as crashed vehicles)

●  interviewing witnesses (often during the inspection of the accident site, product and/or equipment)

●  coordinating or interfacing with others while they are preparing specialized exhibits such as video

     animations and videos of demonstrations

●  review and study of case documents, evidence and applicable codes, standards and recommended practices

●  written reports and affidavits, and exhibits

●  drawings, calculations, graphical analyses, computer analyses, etc.

                                                                                            as required to analyze and reconstruct the accident, and

                                                                                            to present the engineering analysis and reconstruction

●  testing accident items and exemplar items (such as consumer products)

●  photography and/or video of the accident site and involved equipment

●  testimony in deposition, trial and arbitration

     ur Typical Work Activities and Products, when warranted by the case

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●  written reports and affidavits

●  deposition testimony, including video deposition

●  trial testimony and arbitration testimony

James D. Madden, P.E., while performing Forensic Engineering work full-time for over

the last 28 years, for both plaintiff and defendant, has to date:

     orensic Engineering Work by Senior Forensic Engineer James D. Madden, P.E.

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●  completed over 1000 cases

●  written and issued over 600 reports                 

●  testified in over 90 depositions

●  written and issued over 60 affidavits

●  testified in over 75 trials                              

See more about our work with traffic accidents in the sections below.

took 16 college courses in mathematics, physics and engineering mechanics, the scientific bases for traffic accident reconstruction

●  attended engineering seminars presented by the National Academy of Forensic Engineers

regularly attend additional technical courses and seminars each year to meet the requirements for continuing engineering education for the Professional Engineer's license

●  over 40 years of engineering experience, with:

●  17 years experience in industrial operations, engineering design and construction assistance

●  28 years experience in forensic engineering, including: 

●  working on over 1000 cases

●  issuing over 600 reports and over 60 affidavits

●  testifying in over 90 depositions and over 75 trials

See details of the pre-forensic work on the                                             and the                                                     .

See details of the forensic work throughout this website, and a summary on the                                            .

See more about qualifications of  James D. Madden, P.E. on the                                            .

     xperience and Qualifications of James D. Madden, P.E. in regard to Traffic Crashes

     and Accidents, including roadway design, maintenance and safety issues such as

     signage, signals, striping (lines on the roadway) and geometric configuration

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Our Engineering Analyses of Traffic Accidents and Crashes include, as appropriate, a complete investigation, engineering analysis and reconstruction of the traffic accident, either manually or by computer, as required to address the required issues. Our engineering analyses of traffic accidents include analysis of potential roadway issues and effects of driver actions and inactions.

As part of the Engineering Analyses of Traffic Accidents and Crashes we perform the following activities, and others, when appropriate:

As part of the Engineering Analyses of Traffic Accidents and Crashes we address the following issues, and others, when appropriate:

• large non-articulated trucks, including those with:
  

• trucks with semi-trailers (tractor-trailers, "18 wheelers")
  

• trucks with independently supported trailers ("full trailers")
  

• garbage trucks
  

• dump trucks
  

• tank trucks
  

• tandem (two) rear axles
  

• triaxle (three) rear axles
  

including non-articulated trucks such as:

including truck-tractors, with trailers such as:

• box trailers
  

• stake and flatbed trailers
  

• tanker trailers
  

• head-on
  

• rear-end
  

• sideswipe
  

• intersection ("t-bone")
  

• at other impact angles between the vehicles
  

Roadway design, construction and maintenance is regulated by legislation and codes and standards. These codes and standards are prepared and issued by state and federal authorities. They include Standards for highway design, construction and maintenance issued by the various states and the federal government. They are include Recommended Practices, Guidelines and Policies issued by the Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), including the Roadside Design Guide and the Policy on the Geometric Design of Highways and Streets.

Roadway design, construction and maintenance codes and standards serve different purposes, one of which is to provide roads which are safer than would the case without such standards. Non-conformance with highway design, construction and maintenance standards which are intended to promote a safer roadway can be expected to lead to less safe highways and streets than would otherwise be the case.

For more information on Codes and Standards click on >>>

• articulated truck assemblies, including:
  

  click on red underlined words to use links - if no word is underlined try hovering the mouse over words to see underlines

     ur Engineering Analysis of Traffic Accidents, including Accident

   Investigation and Accident Reconstruction

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     xamples of Types of Traffic Accidents Analyzed                                                                                                 

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     xamples of Vehicles and Persons Involved in Analyzed Traffic Accidents 

                                                                                                  ● see examples of types of traffic accidents analyzed in previous section above

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     oursework at Northwestern University Traffic Institute / Center for Public Safety

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     raffic Signs, Signals, Markings and Warnings

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     ighway, Street and Roadside Codes, Standards, Guidelines and Recommended Practices

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over 450 traffic accidents, have been investigated and reconstructed as part of the forensic engineering work during the last 28 years, including engineering analysis of highway design and safety issues, such as geometric configuration, road condition, drainage, signage, striping and conformance to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and design standards

                                                                       ● see examples of vehicles and persons involved in analyzed accidents in next section below

                                                                                                    ● see traffic signs, signals, markings and warnings in the next section below

       ● see highway, street and roadside codes, standards, guidelines etc. in the previous section above

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earned 2 Engineering degrees, Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering, and took additional post-degree coursework, with coursework in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering mechanics, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and normal psychology

at the start of forensic work, completed refresher and additional post-degree college credit coursework and continuing education coursework in mechanical engineering, metallurgy and materials

earned the Professional Engineers license (P.E.) by taking the National Council of Engineering Examiners' (NCEE) examination in Fundamentals of Engineering and the Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering sections of the NCEE examination in Principles and Practices of Engineering

designated a Diplomate Forensic Engineer by the National Academy of Forensic Engineers in accordance with the standards of the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB)

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<< click for a description of the typical activities and work performed

<< click for examples of Types of traffic accidents analyzed

<< click for examples of Vehicles and Persons involved in traffic accidents analyzed

<< click for discussion regarding Highway Standards, Codes, and related material

<< click for discussion regarding Signs, Signals, Markings and Warnings

see the sections below for ● (a) examples of vehicles and persons involved in analyzed traffic accidents ● (b)  discussion of highway codes, standards, design guidelines, etc. ● (c) discussion of traffic signs, signals, roadway markings and warnings   

see the sections above for ● (a) examples of types of traffic accidents analyzed ● (b) examples of vehicles and persons involved ● (c) discussion of highway codes and standards ● (d) discussion of traffic signs, signals, marking and warnings

see the sections below for ● (a) discussion of highway codes, standards, design guidelines, etc.

● (b) discussion of traffic signs, signals, marking and warnings

see the section below for ● (a) discussion of traffic signs, signals, marking and warnings

earned the Certified Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) System Technician Level 1 and 2 at the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety in accordance with the standards of the Collision Safety Institute (CSI) for the Bosch CDR system [retrieval of data from event data recorders (EDRs), also called "black boxes"] for automobiles and light trucks

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sometimes called "black boxes" after the airplane terminology, including the Airbag Control Module and Powertrain Control Module, retrieved either directly or through the Diagnostic Link Connector [specific items, names and associated acronyms of the vehicle components involved depend on the vehicle manufacturer]

see the section above for ● (c) examples of types of traffic accidents analyzed

see the sections above for ● (b) examples of types of traffic accidents analyzed ● (b) examples of vehicles and persons involved in analyzed traffic accidents

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28 Years in Forensic Engineering

Return to Specialties list on 

Madden Accident Analysis & Forensic Engineering

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Our work also includes engineering analysis of the effects on the accident of driver actions, driver condition, vehicle condition, and weather, ambient light and lighting conditions. Engineering analysis of the roadway design and condition and traffic control devices, and determination of the effect of these factors on the accident is also included in our work. Our work also includes assessment of adherence to applicable codes, standards and recommended practices, including applicable highway and roadway design standards. Our analysis includes assessment of adherence to the applicable Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which controls the use of traffic control devices on streets, roads and highways.

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Traffic Accidents, Crashes

Traffic Accidents, Traffic Crashes, including Roadway Issues

Traffic Accident, Traffic Crash, Investigation and Reconstruction

Analysis of Roadway Design, Control Devices and Condition

Traffic control devices include traffic control signals (red-yellow-green, flashing yellow, etc.) roadway signs, painted lines on the pavement (called "striping"), curbing, abutments, etc., used to control traffic patterns. The applicable Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) covers the requirements for these devices and the acceptable application of these devices. This subject is covered in more detail below in  'Highway, Street and Roadside Codes, Standards...'. Click on the blue underlined words in this website to link to the sections named.

Our investigation of Traffic Accidents includes, when appropriate, inspection of the accident site and the accident vehicles and many other items as listed under 'Our Engineering Analysis' below. Also see 'Typical Work' below for other activities typically involved in our work.

Our work with Traffic Accidents and Crashes is an engineering activity based on accepted engineering standards and practices and the science of Engineering Mechanics, the science of movement and forces. Engineering Mechanics is the practical engineering science derived from the theoretical science, physics, and is the basis for the calculation techniques and equations used in traffic accident reconstruction. Formal education in Engineering and Engineering Mechanics has been augmented with a broad range of courses in Traffic Accident Investigation and Reconstruction taken at the Northwestern University Traffic Institute / Center for Public Safety. These courses are listed below in  'Coursework at Northwestern University...'.

Our work with Traffic Accidents and Crashes includes appropriate involvement of Human Factors as this relates to the capabilities and actions of the vehicle drivers and other participants. See 'Experience and Qualifications...' below for this experience and the other qualifications for work with Traffic Accidents. Also see 'Human Factors' on another page for more information regarding Human Factors work with the forensic work.

Our work with Traffic Accidents and Crashes includes investigation and reconstruction of the accident to determine how the accident occurred, and how the factors associated with the accident, including pre-crash events, were related to the causation of the accident.

The use of Warnings on highways and roadways - in the whole traffic system - is regulated by

Copyright 2011 Madden Accident Analysis & Forensic Engineering, all rights reserved

This website contains photographs which are  licensed with restrictions that prohibit

downloading, re-publication, re-transmission, and reproduction .

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Contact us  ▪ ph 440-838-1191 ▪ fax 440-838-1192  ▪ maddenforensic@yahoo.com

Madden Accident Analysis & Forensic Engineering, Expert Witness Crash Accident Investigator and Reconstructionist - Ohio Pennsylvania Michigan New York Indiana Illinois Maryland Kentucky

Madden Accident Analysis & Forensic Engineering James D. Madden Jim Madden Cleveland Akron Canton Toledo Warren Youngstown Columbus Mansfield Dayton Springfield Cincinnati Lima Findlay Ohio Pittsburgh Erie Pennsylvania Detroit Ann Arbor Port Huron Kalamazoo Michigan  Buffalo New York

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James D. Madden, P.E. Jim Madden Forensic Engineer Mechanical Chemical Engineer Expert Witness Crash Accident Investigator and Reconstructionist - Ohio Pennsylvania Michigan New York Indiana Illinois Maryland Kentucky

We have investigated and reconstructed a very broad range of accident types involving a very broad range of accident vehicles and other participants, including pedestrians of a wide range of ages and bicyclists and motorcyclists. The details of the accident types and vehicles and persons are included in 'Examples of Types of Traffic Accidents Analyzed' and 'Examples of Vehicles and Persons Involved' below.

• collisions involving:
  

• out-of-control slides and yaws
  

• rollovers and/or launches, including off embankments
  

• off-road travel, intended or unintended, and abrupt change in travel surfaces
  

• adverse roadway conditions and road-edge dropoffs
  

• multiple collisions between the same vehicles
  

• more than two vehicles with chain collisions
  

• motor vehicles of the same type, such as 2 or more automobiles, or 2 or more trucks
  

• motor vehicles of different types, such as collisions between automobiles, trucks and/or buses
  

• motor vehicles and pedestrians or bicycles
  

• motorcycles and other motor vehicles
  

• motor vehicles or bicycles and railroad trains at railroad grade crossings
  

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