” it would likely mean the vehicle was being accelerated at the time of impact. “
I don’t think I agree, but am not 100% certain If an engine is under a load, it’s rpms are held back. Release that load, and the rpms instantly go up to a no-load condition. It would sound like acceleration, but really wouldn’t be
You can test this on any motor, gas or electric. Remove the load, and the motor’s rpms go right up.
Oh, they’ll test everything....
But they way, take your vehicle, get up to about 60MPH, take foot off the accelerator and hit a speed bump or any other obstacle in the road. Chances are great you will not hear your *engine* rev up or accelerate...But your suspension will hate you.
That being said, I would assume if a professional driver knew he just sent another vehicle out of control, end over end, into the wall or whatever, about 25 seconds later as he passed the collision scene, he would exercise great caution due to the potential of debris, bodies or stalled stopped vehicles.