Today’s vehicles have new features that help to reduce the number of crashes due to driver loss of control, minimize injuries to occupants, monitor safety system readiness and performance, and record crash data. Our automotive experts can evaluate auto defects, analyze crash data, consult in automotive legal matters, and determine if automobile industry standards were upheld. Electronic driver aids help prevent driver loss of control. Active and passive safety systems are designed to reduce injury to occupants as a result of a crash. Diagnostic trouble codes are stored on board the vehicle. The data can be downloaded to determine readiness and functionality of various safety related components and systems before and during a crash. Motor vehicle crash data recorders record vehicle operating parameters for several seconds before impact. The data streams can be retrieved and used to aid in accident reconstruction analyses.
- Hybrid Vehicle Safety - Expert Introduction to Hybrid Vehicle Systems
In 2012 434,000 hybrid/electric vehicles including passenger cars, SUVs and pickup trucks were sold in U.S. These vehicles incorporate a variety of configurations to combine a conventional combustion engine with an electric motor paired with a rechargeable battery to deliver enhanced performance, superior fuel economy and ultra low emissions.
Despite the environmental advantages associated with hybrid vehicles, they may present unique safety concerns not associated with conventional vehicles. Key areas of concern include:
- Operating Safety
- Computer Controlled Transmission
- Batteries
- Brakes
- Crashworthiness
- Post Crash Safety
View Full Article HERE
- Homicide by Vehicle
The driver of a dump truck was driving northwest along the orange route shown
below when he ran a stop sign and collided with a mid sized car with 3 occupants
that was travelling along the blue line shown below. The driver of the car was killed
and the two passengers were injured as a result of the crash. The driver of the
dump truck was charged with homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault, recklessly
endangering another person, involuntary manslaughter, and a stop sign violation. View Full Case HERE
- Side Impact Vehicle Crashworthiness - Expert Introduction
Providing protection for vehicle occupants in side impact collisions presents a challenge to vehicle engineers. Compared with frontal impacts, there is a relatively
shallow crumple zone for deformation between the occupants and the closest vehicle side-structure.
A stiff side and roof structure combine to protect the occupant from injury by maintaining survival space, and dissipating the force of the collision away from the occupant. Safety cage designs, such as those used by Volvo, Mercedes, and Subaru for decades, are the
forefront of side impact occupant protection. View Full Article HERE
- Interpreting EDR Data & Recognizing Errors
Many reconstructionists prefer to rely on EDR data to provide an unbiased measure of pre-impact actions and impact speeds. However, there are times that EDR information should not be relied upon, or requires in depth interpretation, such as when:
- The EDR data contradicts physical evidence
- The data is out of the common driving range (low or high)
- There is a discontinuity in the data (flat lines, spikes, etc.)
- Events such as multiple impacts, airborne, rollover, or narrow objects collisions
- The ownership of the data is disputed or the chain of evidence is suspect
When a vehicle impacts multiple objects the timing of the recorded events can be flawed or out of sequence, as data is continually overwritten. Impacts that compromise the electrical system may yield bad data. Data in the EDR comes from multiple systems, this data can be out of sync or wrong compared to Airbag Control Module's timing circuit and accelerometer.
EDR components can corrode over time. Also data can be overwritten or plain wrong if the download is performed improperly. Collisions and vehicle maneuvers that alter the wheels speed relative to the actual vehicle speed can yield misleading data. This can occur when the vehicle goes airborne, loses or locks-up a wheel, rolls over or is cut in half. Narrow and light weight object impacts are often either not recorded or the data is flawed. The duration of the impact also may exceed the recording threshold of the EDR.
View Full Article HERE
- Conflicting Crash Testimony - Expert Reconstruction
A Honda heading eastbound on a highway with two lanes in each direction, plus a central turn lane, collided head-on with a BWM attempting to exit a driveway and head westbound. In the course of litigation, each driver provided a substantially different version of how the collision occurred. Robson Forensic was retained to conduct reconstructions based on each driver’s description and determine which version was more consistent with the physical evidence: the damage to both cars and their final resting positions. The case resolved by settlement. View Full Case HERE
- Highway Interchange - Experts Reconstruct Crash and Evaluate Highway Design
In January of 2003 a van with 6 workers aboard slid off the ramp for Exit 41 on Westbound I-78 in Watchung, NJ and struck a tree located about 35 feet from the edge of the ramp pavement. The collision resulted in the death of one worker and caused quadriplegia to another, who later died due to complications from injuries sustained in the impact. Robson Forensic reconstructed how the collision occurred and identified substandard and dangerous roadway conditions that caused the collision.
The case settled for over $7,000,000 prior to giving the case to the jury. Robson Forensic was retained by Attorney Craig Rothenberg of The Law Offices of Craig M. Rothenberg Law in Union, New Jersey. View Full Case HERE
- Driveway Collision - Experts Investigate Motorcycle-Car Collision
An older driver pulled out from a driveway with sight obstructions to the left and the right. The motorcyclist,
with right of way on the through road, was forced into an evasive braking maneuver; the motorcycle fell onto
its side and then slid into the exiting car. The motorcyclist was severely injured.
Robson Forensic involved three experts: a highway engineer, a human factors specialist, and a
motorcycle expert.
On the basis of Robson Forensic’s work this case resolved through settlement with the property owners on both sides of the driveway. View Full Case HERE
- Intersection Crash – Expert Reconstructs Motorcycle-Car Collision
A motorcycle and car collided in an intersection. The motorcyclist landed in a yard on the other side of the car. The speed limit on the road was 25 mph. The motorcyclist was severely injured, the car driver less so.
How did this collision occur? What were its underlying causes? Who bears what responsibility? These are the questions Robson Forensic experts answered.
Our client in this case was Richard Greifinger, Esq., of Newark, N.J. Attorney Greifinger took this case from one where his client was criminally indicted and the defendant insurance company refused to pay a dime, to one where the case resolved by settlement.
For a copy of the report we prepared see… View Full Case HERE
- Vehicle Repair – Expert Investigates Engine Failure to Determine Cause
Robson Forensic was retained to determine if a Dodge engine failure was the result of an improper repair. The engine of a 2002 Dodge Intrepid with approximately 100,000 miles seized during highway driving only a few days after an Auto Shop had changed the oil. Opposing experts determined that the failure was caused by an improper repair. Vehicle Engineering Expert, Steven J. Becker, disassembled the engine to inspect the damage and the oil. He concluded that the engine failed as a result of a broken connecting rod, which subsequently broke the oil pan, causing the oil loss that seized the engine. View Full Case HERE
- PennDOT Settles Rural Intersection Collision Case for $200K
A two-vehicle, intersection collision occurred at a rural intersection. Robson Forensic determined corner sight distance was grossly substandard and a cause of the collision. View Full Case HERE
- An Introduction to Electronic Stability Control
Presentation developed by the automotive engineers at Robson Forensic, provides an overview on Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems, including information on how ESC systems work, their abilities and limitations. View Full Speaking Engagement HERE
- Settlement Reached in Fatal Car Crash Lawsuit: Plaintiffs Alleged
Dram shop expert helped the families of four people, killed in a car crash by an off-duty police officer, reach a settlement with the officer and the restaurant/bar that provided the officer alcohol while she allegedly was intoxicated. View Full Verdicts \ Settlement HERE
- Settlement in Two-Vehicle Crash Involving Police Cruiser and Limited Evidence
When a taxi was struck on the left rear side by a police cruiser that admittedly ran a red light, one rear passenger was thrown from the car and both rear seat passengers were injured. View Full Verdicts \ Settlement HERE
- Alcohol Impairment - Robson Forensic Experts
When alcohol is identified as a factor in an injury incident, it is
often assumed to be the only cause. Our experts determine if
alcohol played a causative or contributing role. View Full Mailer HERE
- Tires and Vehicle Cases - Robson Forensic Experts
The Robson Forensic, Inc. Vehicle Crash Group includes reconstruction,
vehicle and highway engineers supported by specialists in areas that impact
vehicle-related incidents such as materials science, meteorology, human
factors, products and biomechanical engineering. View Full Mailer HERE
- Robson Forensic Brochure
Robson Forensic has been providing high quality and professional forensic engineering, architectural, scientific and
investigative services throughout the United States since 1987. Robson Forensic provides expertise in a broad range of forensic and technical disciplines. View Full Mailer HERE
Leiss, Peter J. Becker, Steven J. Buckel, Hartford H. Derian, Gary A. P.E.DiCicco, Michael Higinbotham, Erin B. P.E.Lacek, Thomas P. P.E.Rowland, Douglas J. P.E.Serdar, Luka Shipp, Erin M. P.E., NCEESPreview All
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