The CRASH 2 and SMAC computer programs are well established aids to accident reconstruction. To improve their utility and assess their limitations 12 vehicle-to-vehicle collisions were staged and reconstructed using the programs. Results of the CRASH 2 program were judged on their degree of correspondence with the measured impact speeds and changes in velocity. The SMAC reconstructions were assessed on the basis of the accuracy of the predicted final rest positions, damage dimensions, and changes in velocity. In general the reconstructions from both programs were acceptable. Recommendations to improve their utility include:​ for the CRASH program, to update the vehicle stiffness coefficients particularly for rear-end impacts, and add a stationary vehicle option;​ for the SMAC program, to simulate hard points and corner effects and to provide an option to input cornering stiffness time history data in order to simulate weight transfer effects.