Accident Terms and Definitions

Risk assessment
The determination of the probability of failure of a component or system.

Using cell phone
Some state have banned types of cell phone use while driving. This can be very dangerous and my be a cause of an accident.

Brake Build-up (Brake Lag)
Occurs just after the brakes are applied and continues until they lock.

Tire Problems
Under-inflation, the most frequent cause of tire failure, is considered the main culprit in the recent Firestone tire-failure fatalities. Uneven or worn-out tires are the next most serious problem and can also lead to tire failure.

Blind Spots
The back corner of the car never moves. It always stays in the same exact place. Mirrors are unable to show this spot. This back area is known as blind spot

Brake failure
Brake failure can happen. Drum brakes are more commen to fail. Modern dual-circuit brake systems have made total brake failure an unlikely event. If one side of the circuit fails, the other side is usually sufficient to stop a vehicle.

Affidavit
A written or printed declaration or statement under oath Affirm - The assertion of an appellate court that the judgment of the lower court is correct and should stand.

Subpoena
Document issued by the authority of the court to compel a witness to appear and give testimony or produce documentary evidence in a proceeding. Failure to appear or produce is punishable by contempt of court.

Reference Point
In angular momentum, the point in space around which the motion of an object is described. The angular momentum of an object is defined in relation to some point, the reference point. The velocity and radius of an object are measured from the reference point.

Reaction Time
The motorist who is not alert cannot cope with a sudden emergency as quickly as is necessary. An overly relaxed driver requires more time to react to an emergency than does an alert one.