Ralph Aronberg, P.E., has reconstructed over 1,500 accidents and has testified in over 150 jury trials, since founding the firm in 1983. He provides Expert Witness services in the areas of:

Traffic accident reconstruction (cars, trucks, motorcycles and pedestrians).

Vehicle occupant kinematics (seatbelts)

Biomechanics

Traffic engineering design (geometrics, signing, markings, signals and lighting)

Sight distance analysis

Hazardous roadway conditions

Work Zone Traffic Control evaluation

Evaluation of roadway curvature

Traffic signal operations

Pedestrian safety

Computerized accident reconstruction and simulation

Vehicle "black box" data retrieval (certified>

Mr. Aronberg is published in the fields of pedestrian / bicycle / motorcycle accident reconstructions, and 3 Dimensional Animations and Scientific Visualizations through the Society of Automotive Engineers. Mr. Aronberg is a Fellow member of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, and certified as a Diplomat in forensic Engineering.

Bison is a multi-disciplined engineering firm specializing in failure analysis, forensic engineering and fire sciences with a team of P.E.'s who have performed thousands of forensic assignments including in excess of 1,000 fuel gas investigations.

Legal professionals turn to Bison to scientifically conduct investigations to determine the cause of destructive events. Forensic Engineers provide expert testimony and consultation. Investigations include explosions, fires, carbon monoxide incidents, electrical fires and failures, structural failures, mechanical failures, accident reconstruction, specialized testing, and courtroom presentations:

Fuel Gas Incidents: Fire and Explosion Causation; Propane Explosions, Natural Gas Explosion, Gas Delivery Systems; Carbon Monoxide Testing and Evaluation, Production and Migration Investigations; Plant & Pipeline, Piping Evaluation; Operational Analysis; Appliance Evaluation; Code Compliance; Soil Gas Migration; Vapor Dispersion

Fire Investigation and Explosion Analysis: Cause and Origin, Scene Documentation; Collection of Evidence; Certified Fire Investigator

Electrical Engineering: Electrically Related Fires, Electrical Service and Wiring Failures, Production Facility Service and Controls for Chemical, Petroleum, and Distribution Facilities, Electrical Contacts, Electrocutions; Lightning Strikes

Mechanical Engineering: Equipment Design and Operation; High-Pressure Oilfield Equipment; Pump Design and Operation; HVAC Systems; High and Low-Pressure Seals; Plastic Part Design and Manufacture, Industrial Equipment

Accident Reconstruction: Accident Sequence Reconstruction; Speed, Time and Distance Calculations; Crush Damage; Braking; Steering and Mechanical Analysis, including Tires; Electrical System / Electronic Failures; Mechanical and Fuel Systems; Airbag and Seatbelt Fatalities/Injuries; Staged Vehicle Impact

Failure Analysis: Industrial Equipment, Vehicle Impacts, Airbags and Seat Belts; Elevator Failures; Helmet and other Protective Equipment Failures; Infant Crib Design Inadequacies; Carbon Monoxide Investigations, Crane Failures, etc.

Metallurgical Engineering: Metal Fatigue of Gas Compressor Components; Electrical Contact Evaluations; Cracking of Structural Plastics; Chemical Analysis; Corrosion & Stress Evaluation and Analysis; SEM Analysis; Electron/Optical Microscopy; X-ray Examination

Bison's clients argue their cases with confidence, secure in the knowledge that their claims are based on unbiased, scientific data.

Dennis Wylie is an internationally recognized Human Factors Expert on driver error; inattention and improper lookout; driver fatigue; car, truck and bus driver skill and knowledge requirements; driver and motor carrier standards of care; hours of service violations; circadian rhythms; sleep debt; impaired vigilance, alertness, decision making, reaction time, and control responses.

Mr. Wylie directed the largest study of driver fatigue and alertness conducted in North America, a seven-year multimillion dollar international project that was the main factor in major revision of the federal and state rules governing working hours for commercial automobile, truck, and bus drivers, including an increase in required off-duty time of 25%.

Mr. Wylie and his colleagues also developed the national commercial driver licensing system. He is the principal author of the Commercial Driver's Manual used by all state licensing agencies for licensing commercial automobile, truck, and bus drivers. The information in the Commercial Driver's Manual defines the skill, knowledge and standard-of-care requirements for commercial drivers and is the basis of the commercial driver license (CDL) tests. Mr. Wylie and his colleagues trained the first CDL Examiners in each state, who went on to train the others. All commercial drivers in the United States – more than 20,000,000 so far – have been licensed under the CDL system, which is set out in the Code of Federal Regulations at 49 CFR 383 "Commercial Driver's License Standards."

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David B. Spiegler, CCM has more than 40 years of proven experience in providing expertise across a broad spectrum of activities involving Meteorology, Climatology, and the Environment. Since the 1980s, he has provided expert analysis for more than 50 law firms and insurance companies on weather related legal and/or insurance claims. Mr. Spiegler has worked on cases in a number of states and has testified in district and superior courts, at arbitration hearings, and at environmental regulatory hearings. He has always been found to be qualified by the court.

Mr. Spiegler's cases range from slip and fall accidents, to motor vehicle, aircraft, and boating accidents, wrongful death and homicide, as well as cases for which damage to – or loss of – property from wind , snow, heavy rain, flooding, and ocean waves occurred. For many cases, he visited the site of the event and evaluated the physical and terrain factors. For all cases, he acquired, analyzed, and interpreted the weather data, reconstructed the weather at the time and location of the event/incident and/or damage or loss, and provided expert opinion and rationale for the opinion.

Services Offered:

Forensic Meteorology - build legal and insurance cases

Weather Industry Consulting - increases market share and profits

Weather and Climate Analysis - yields informed business decisions due to the impact of weather and climate

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Gary E. Kilpatrick and Associates, PA is a Forensics Engineering Firm dedicated to the application of the art, science and methodology of engineering and the scientific method to answer questions of fact in the jurisprudence system pertaining to personal injury and wrongful death. We provide technical competency, forensic evidence collection from the field and from documents, oral and written communications, objective, ethical and professional responsibility.

We are familiar with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence and Daubert and have given sworn expert testimony under oath during judicial proceedings. We are retained by law firms, public defenders and insurance companies on plaintiff, defense, criminal and claimant cases and work nation wide.

Areas of Expertise:

• Traffic Accident Reconstruction
• Vehicle Crash Data Report Retrieval and Interpretation
• Off-Road ATV Accident Reconstruction
• Motorcycle Accident Reconstruction
• Vehicle Inspections
• Industrial Accident Reconstruction
• OSHA Safety 29CFR1910
• OSHA 29CFR1926
• OSHA 29CFR1928
• Product Liability Investigations

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Shaun Pergande, PE - Mechanical Engineering / Transportation

Mr. Pergande focuses on engineering activities that involve mechanical equipment, structures, systems, vehicles and machines. He specializes in accident investigation and reconstruction, failure analysis, testing, computer-aided simulation and analysis of machine design, usage and safety. He has performed product safety evaluations and failure investigations for a broad range of mechanical equipment including power tools, manufacturing processing equipment, material handling equipment, construction equipment and on-road and off-road vehicles. He has investigated workplace accidents that occurred on manufacturing and warehouse floors, on warehouse docks, on construction sites and in the field.

Mr. Pergande has extensive experience investigating and reconstructing on-road vehicle accidents including those involving passenger vehicles, heavy trucks, buses, motorcycles, pedestrians and bicycles. He performs accident site investigations, vehicle and component level inspections and evaluations, "black box" data interpretation, and utilizes state-of-the-art computer modeling and simulation methods in the analysis.

Mr. Pergande has M.S. and B.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is a licensed mechanical engineer in the state of Illinois. View Curriculum Vitae.

Michael Rogers, PE - Mechanical / Transportation

Mr. Rogers is Senior Vice President overseeing the Mechanical/Transportation Group at ITC Experts, Inc. He is responsible for engineering activities involving various types of vehicles and transportation related equipment as well as activities involving machine design and mechanical systems evaluations. He specializes in accident reconstruction and analysis of vehicles and equipment utilized in either on-highway or off-highway applications including material handling and construction equipment. He has specialized knowledge, training and experience in analyzing traffic accidents involving automotive, heavy truck, motorcycle and pedestrian collisions. He has also analyzed various mechanical systems in various types of vehicles including steering, braking and suspension components as well as restraint systems and vehicle structures as well as interpretation of vehicle “black box” data. He is a trained and certified forklift operator with considerable experience in testing, evaluating and analyzing designs of various types of lift trucks and other material handling equipment. His experience includes working with vehicles involved with aircraft ground support, railroad and construction and has conducted numerous vehicle fire investigations. He is a licensed professional engineer in Illinois and Michigan, holds NAFI certification in vehicle fire investigation and has extensive training in heavy vehicle brake systems and accident reconstruction techniques.View Curriculum Vitae.

James Salmon, PhD, PE - Mechanical / Transportation

Dr. Salmon specializes in the investigation and analysis of consumer, military and industrial products and systems in the transportation, industrial and manufacturing environments. He specializes in the investigation of the performance of consumer products, or accidents involving products, vehicles, industrial and military equipment. Dr. Salmon investigates concerns relating to the mechanical design of parts, assemblies or systems, evaluating the real world performance of products. Dr. Salmon has consulted and assisted companies with the design, analysis and test of their products and systems. He specializes in the analysis of product trade secrets and has over 10 years of experience in product reverse engineering and the evaluation of reverse engineering activities. Prior to joining ITC Experts, Dr. Salmon spent 23 years in industry as an engineering leader in research, product design, and manufacturing environments. He has designed, tested and analyzed products and systems in the naval ship, military aircraft, and automobile industries. View Curriculum Vitae.

ITC Experts provides top Technical Experts for the Legal and Insurance Communities. ITC is organized as a collaborative of experts and facilities from multiple, varied groups, but unlike a brokerage or finder service, ITC has a staff of experts who augment their deep experience and industry-leading qualifications with the specialized knowledge and resources of collaborators from leading universities, government laboratories, technical societies, and industry.

Dr. David Curry, PhD, CHFP, CSP - Consultant, Human Factors and Safety

Dr. Curry is Vice President, Human Performance Sciences and Technology for ITC Expert Services. He holds graduate degrees in Experimental, Human Factors, and Cognitive/ Perceptual Psychology, Industrial Engineering, and Business and his experience includes nearly 30 years of work in accident investigation, product design and development, operational testing and analysis, and both laboratory and field research. He consults on all aspects of human factors, human performance, ergonomics, and safety.

Areas of particular expertise include: human-machine interface design and evaluation, human capabilities and limitations in applied environments, industrial ergonomics, warnings, vision and visibility, slips/trips/falls, the evaluation of equipment, facilities, and structures from a human use standpoint, and safety-related issues in general. He is recognized as an expert in operator-vehicle interaction, is both a Certified Human Factors Professional and Certified Safety Professional, has published nearly fifty technical papers dealing with various issues relating to applied human performance and accident investigation. He has been awarded several patents and sits on national standards-making committees for a variety of organizations (ANSI, ASTM, and SAE.) He has provided testimony in both State and Federal courts. View Curriculum Vitae.

John Meyer, PhD, PE - Mechanical & Materials Engineering

Dr. John Meyer is responsible for the engineering investigation and reconstruction of accidents, incidents, and failures of all kinds. With his background in mechanical engineering and physics, Dr. Meyer has conducted and directed hundreds of investigations over the past 16 years involving a widely diverse range of items, including aircraft, industrial equipment and machinery, automobiles and other vehicles, as well as consumer products. In addition to incident causation, Dr. Meyer frequently evaluates issues such as engineering design, machine guarding, warnings, and human behavior. Dr. Meyer has particular expertise in the modeling, analysis, and control of vibration and dynamic systems. He analyzes loads, forces and assesses mechanical design.

Areas of Expertise:

• Modeling, Analysis, and Control of Vibration and Dynamic Systems
• Analyzes Loads, Forces and Assesses Mechanical Designs
• Human Factors including Human Perception, Reaction, and Operator Behavior

View Curriculum Vitae.

Steven Meyers - Aviation Safety

Mr. Meyers is an experienced aerospace professional that combines scientific analysis, material science, laboratory testing, piloting expertise, aircraft maintenance, and human factors to investigate air safety issues. He has a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Science, B.S. in Engineering Physics, A.S. in Manufacturing Engineering Technology, and an Extension Diploma in Applied General Metallurgy.

Profile:

• Aviation and Human Factors: Piloted / instructed in 51 different types of aircraft ranging from turbines to gliders to sea planes. Multi-engine, instrument rated commercial pilot, active flight instructor, FAA licensed Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic (A&P), and FAA maintenance inspector (IA). Understands the interrelationship between the Person-Machine-Environment.
  
  
• Accident Investigator: Applies scientific methods to accurately reconstruct and explain the circumstances of an accident. Investigations ranging from the in-flight failure of composite airframe structures to the use of unapproved parts to reconstructing ground vehicle incidents. Adjunct Faculty Member in the Aviation Department of Lewis University teaching courses in Applied Aircraft Accident Investigations. IL licensed Private Detective.
  
  
• Material Scientist: Brings a strong experience in applying modern materials science coupled with a focus on failure analysis and the use of standardized testing techniques. Evaluates the effects of corrosion, temperature, and mechanical stresses on the performance of materials. Analysis performed on fractured thru-bolts, crankshafts, fuel pumps, carburetors, and bearings.
  
  
• Failure Analyst: Provides practical and comprehensive laboratory testing that is independent and unbiased. Capable of performing a broad range of tests to determine the strength, physical, chemical, and wear properties of metals, coatings, ceramics, composites, and plastics. Access to ASTM qualified test machines, optical microscopes, SEM, FTIR, load cells, and accelerometers.
  
  
• USAF Non-Commissioned Intelligence Officer: Confident public speaking skills with experience in preparing briefings and making recommendations to high-level military commanders.

Areas of Expertise: Aircraft Design and Operation, Aircraft Performance, Avionics & Autopilots, Piloting & Training, Turbines/Reciprocating Engines, Major Repairs/Alterations, Human Factors, Aviation Psychology, FAA Regulations & Certification, Accident Investigation, Wreckage Reconstruction, In-Flight Break-Ups, Mid-Air Collisions, Flight Path Reconstruction, Crashworthiness, Loss of Control, System Failures, In-Flight Fires, Cockpit Automation, Mechanical Testing, Material Compatibility, Fracture Analysis, Metal Fatigue, Composite Materials, Mechanical Fasteners, Tribology & Wear Testing, Fretting, Galling & Corrosion, Lubricants, Greases, & Fuels. View Curriculum Vitae

Mark Fleming, PhD, PE - Mechanical / Vehicle Engineering

Dr. Fleming is an experienced mechanical engineer who uses his specialized knowledge of engineering mechanics and material performance to analyze vehicles and machines, both as part of the design process as well as following an accident. He has inspected and analyzed dozens of vehicles involved in crashes and has performed testing and finite element simulations in his analysis of design performance. He has a background in design engineering and spent six years designing and analyzing off-highway equipment and has used this experience in conducting design analyses and reviews. Dr. Fleming has a Ph.D. in theoretical and applied mechanics studying fracture mechanics and computer simulation methods. He also has a M.S. in theoretical and applied mechanics studying reliability and fracture mechanics. He has a degree in mechanical engineering and is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Illinois. View Curriculum Vitae.

Aaron Jones, PE - Mechanical / Transportation and Materials

Mr. Jones specializes in analyzing the mechanical and materials causes of failures in engineered systems with an emphasis in vehicle and transportation equipment, piping systems, pressure vessels, consumer products, process equipment, and joined components such as welds and bolted joints. Mr. Jones has also conducted investigations related to corrosion of materials and environmental effects on corrosion. His professional activities focus on understanding how applied forces, environment, and material properties influence the performance of materials in service. Mr. Jones also has extensive experience investigating fires on machinery, trucks, busses, and cars. View Curriculum Vitae.

Kevin Jones, PE - Mechanics and Materials

Kevin Jones is a Director in the Mechanics and Materials group at ITC Experts, Inc. Mr. Jones is a highly experienced materials engineer and accident investigator who has examined product failures involving transportation equipment, cranes, power and process equipment, consumer products and medical devices. Mr. Jones applies his materials, corrosion, and forensic science skills to solve complex problems related to the fields of materials science and mechanical engineering. He has extensive experience dealing with fatigue, deformation and fracture of materials, fractography, welding and joining, mechanical testing, and all aspects of corrosion as related to chemical and power plant components, consumer products, construction industry, plumbing and piping, welds and brazing, and consumer products. View Curriculum Vitae.

Crash Group at Robson Forensic

The crash group at Robson Forensic consists of Experts in Crash Reconstruction, Vehicle and Highway Engineering, as well as Commercial Trucking and Fleet Operations. We have experts who specialize in all types of vehicles, including trucks, buses, motorcycles, trains, bicycles, and forklifts. When appropriate, the Crash Group is supported by specialists in disciplines that impact vehicle crashes such as conspicuity, lighting, meteorology, biomechanics, human factors, and dram shop.

Our Crash Group consists of more than 20 experts across 17 locations. Please contact one of our experts directly to discuss your case and determine which of our experts is most appropriate to assist with your matter.

Thomas P. Lacek, P.E.
Crash Reconstruction & Occupant Kinematics

Tom can piece together a vehicle from start to finish: the brake system, transmission, shocks, engine, power steering, air conditioning, fuel systems. He has 30 years experience in automotive engineering with expertise ranging from used and new vehicles to antiques and classics. His vehicle expertise also includes areas of product liability, specializing in engine, transmission, ABS, sudden acceleration, brakes, steering, suspension, seat belt, air bag and other vehicle failures. Tom is a Professional Engineer, a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine and is ASE certified. View Curriculum Vitae

Erin M. Shipp, P.E.
Heavy Truck & Bus Engineering

Erin brings more than 35 years experience designing, testing, and building heavy trucks, buses, motor homes and passenger vehicles. Specializing in vehicles as small as the Chrysler Pacifica and as large as Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner trucks; Erin's experience includes engines and emissions; chassis; bodies and sleeper boxes, including handicap accessibility; as well as overall structural stability for crash performance. Erin is a Professional Engineer with experience testifying in heavy truck cases. View Curriculum Vitae



Erin B. Higinbotham, P.E.
Motorcycle & ATV Expert

Erin is a two-time national champion with the American Motorcyclist Association. He has more than 30 years experience with operation, maintenance and design of motorcycles and ATV's. As a Project Engineer for the Automotive Testing Laboratories and TRC Inc., he completed federal regulatory testing on motorcycles and ATVs. He has completed contract testing for several US and foreign motorcycle manufacturers. Erin has completed plaintiff and defense casework across the United States and Canada. View Curriculum Vitae