Traffic Accident Investigation
Explosion
Definition of Terms:
Motor Vehicle – shall mean any vehicle
propelled by any power other than muscular power
using the public highways, but excepting road
rollers, trolley cars, street sweepers, sprinklers, lawn
movers, bulldozers, graders, forklifts, amphibian
trucks, and cranes if not used in public highways,
vehicles which run only on rails or tracks, and
tractors, trailers and traction engines of all kinds
used exclusively for agricultural purposes.
 Traffic Accident – is an occurrence on a
road, street or highway involving one or
more vehicles that usually result in death,
physical injury or damage to property.
 Traffic Accident Investigation – the process
of obtaining, recording, and interpreting of
information surrounding the accident. It
aims to ascertain facts on its causes and to
assist courts in imposing penalties for the
guilty and awarding compensation for the
victims.
 Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident – is any
motor vehicle accident occurring on a traffic
way involving a motor vehicle in motion
that results in death, injury or property
damage.
 Motor Vehicle Non-Traffic Accident – is any
motor vehicle traffic accident which occurs
entirely in any place other than a traffic
way.
 Motor Vehicle Accident - Any event that
results in unintended injury or property
damage attributed directly or indirectly to
the motion of a motor vehicle on the road.
 Included are:
 1. Accidental injury from inhalation of
exhaust gas
 2. Fires
 3.
 4. Discharge of firearms within the motor
vehicle while in motion.
 Non-Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident – is any
accident occurring on a traffic way involving
persons using traffic for travel on
transportation but not involving a motor
vehicle in motion.
 Debris. The scattered broken parts of
vehicles, rubbish, dust and other materials
left at the scene of the accident caused by a
collision.
 Skid Marks. These are marks left on the
roadway by tires which are not free to
rotate, usually because brakes are applied
strong and the wheels locked.
 Reckless Imprudence failing to do an act
from which material damage results by
reason of inexcusable lack of precaution on
the part of the person performing or failing
to perform such act x x x.

Kinds of trafficaccidents
1. Non-Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident. Refers to any
accident occurring on a traffic way involving persons
using the traffic way or travel or transportation, but
not involving motor vehicle in motion.
Example: Pedestrian and Cyclist in a traffic way.
2. Motor Vehicle Non-Traffic Accident. Any motor
vehicle accident which occurs entirely in any place
other than a traffic way.
Example: Accident on a private way.
3. Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident. Any motor vehicle
accident occurring on a traffic way.
Example: Collision between automobiles on a
highway.
Classification of Motor Vehicle Traffic
Accidents According to Key Event.
a. Running –off road. MV falling on the roadside or
on cliff along mountainous roads.
b. Non-collision on road. Does not involve any
collision.
1. overturning
c. Collision on road with pedestrian, other motor
vehicle in traffic, parked, bicycle, animal, fixed
objects etc.
Classification of Accidents According to
Severity
1. Property Damage Accident. No fatal or
injury to any person, only damage to the
MV or to other property including injury to
animals.
2. Slight. Only slight damages to properties.
3. Non-Fatal Injury Accident
4. Less Serious. This causes serious injuries
to persons.
5. Serious. This causes serious injuries to
persons.
6. Fatal. This results in death to one or
more persons.
CAUSES OF MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
A. SIMULTANEOUS FACTORS
1. Road conditions
2. Driver’s attitude or behavior
3. conditions
B. Weather SEQUENTIAL FACTORS
1. speed is greater or less than safe
2. defective vehicle (vehicle malfunction)
C. OPERATIONAL FACTORS
1. Road hazards
2. Driver’s non-compliance to traffic laws,
rules and regulations
D. PERCEPTION FACTORS
1. Driver’s inability to react promptly to a
situation
2. Driver’s faulty action to escape collision
course
Five Levels of Activity in Accident Investigation
1. Reporting. This stage involves basic data
collection to identify MV, person involved, and
planned movements.
2. At-Scene Investigation. Action taken by the
investigator at the scene of the accident.
3. Technical Preparation. Organization of all info. for
study and interpretation.
4. Professional Reconstruction. Efforts to determine
how the accident happened.
5. Cause Analysis. Analysis on the causes of accident,
used as basis for the prevention of similar accident.