Hit
an unproven theory or assumption which provides a basis for further investigation
Hypothesis
failure to properly operate a motor vehicle, causing damage or injury
search or inquiry for facts leading up to or contributing to an event
Investigation
state of being held responsible for causing an accident
liability
legal action which takes place when two or more parties are seeking money for damage sustained
civil dispute
main pathway for traffic flow
mainline
deep marks, resulting from heavy pressure
Gouges
marks left on the roadway from tires which were sliding but NOT rotating
Skid Marks
amount of time which passed between the point of actual perception to the action point
Perception/Reaction Time
lifted road or track across low or wet grounds
causeway
land or barrier separating opposite lanes of traffic
median
facts, information or materials related to a certain event
Evidence
action taken in effort to avoid a certain situation
Evasive Action
area longside of a road to be utilized for emergency stopping
shoulder
notification issued by law enforcement to civilians for violating traffic laws
Citation
point at which the driver should have recognized they were about to be involved in an accident
Point of Possible Perception
products being transported
cargo
occurrence of death, resulting from an accident
fatality
point in time in which the driver performs an evasive action to try to avoid an accident
Action Point
point at which the driver actually recognized a traffic hazard
Point of Actual Perception
fixed objects which are likely to be in place for a long period of time
Tangible Reference Points
visual representation of the scene of the accident
Field Sketches
amount of time and distance between the point of possible and actual perception
Perception Delay
physical evidence at the location of the accident
Post-Accident Evidence
point at which an accident is guaranteed to happen, regardless of any evasive actions
Point of No Escape