Senior Accident Reconstructionist

Senior Accident Reconstructionist

Position Summary

The Senior Accident Reconstructionist is an experienced technical professional responsible for investigating, analyzing, and reconstructing complex motor vehicle collisions. This position applies advanced principles of physics, engineering, vehicle dynamics, and accident reconstruction to evaluate evidence and develop scientifically supported, objective, and defensible conclusions.

The Senior Accident Reconstructionist independently manages complex cases, communicates findings to clients and other stakeholders, provides deposition and trial testimony when required, and serves as a technical resource and mentor to less experienced professionals. The position demonstrates a high level of professional judgment, technical expertise, client service, and commitment to Knott Laboratory's standards of integrity and excellence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead complex accident reconstruction investigations involving passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and other transportation-related incidents, as applicable.
• Independently inspect and document accident scenes, vehicles, roadway conditions, physical evidence, and other relevant information.
• Collect, preserve, analyze, and interpret physical, electronic, photographic, video, and vehicle-related evidence.
• Perform advanced accident reconstruction analyses using accepted scientific and engineering principles and methodologies.
• Analyze vehicle speeds, trajectories, braking, impacts, visibility, perception-response considerations, vehicle dynamics, and other factors relevant to collision events.
• Review and critically evaluate police reports, photographs, videos, witness statements, vehicle records, medical information, technical data, and other case materials.
• Utilize accident reconstruction software, electronic data, photogrammetry, 3D documentation, measurement equipment, and other investigative technologies as appropriate.
• Develop technically sound opinions and conclusions that are supported by available evidence, calculations, testing, and established scientific principles.
• Prepare and review technical reports, calculations, exhibits, demonstratives, and supporting documentation.
• Communicate complex technical findings clearly and effectively to attorneys, insurance professionals, clients, other experts, and non-technical audiences.
• Provide expert testimony through depositions, hearings, arbitration, mediation, and trial as required.
• Independently manage assigned cases from initial engagement through resolution while meeting project deadlines, budgets, and client expectations.
• Participate in client meetings, strategy discussions, inspections, and other case-related activities.
• Provide technical guidance, peer support, and mentorship to Accident Reconstructionists and developing technical professionals.
• Review the work of colleagues as appropriate and contribute to the consistency and quality of technical work products.
• Collaborate with engineers, reconstructionists, visualization professionals, and other technical experts on multidisciplinary investigations.
• Support business development and client relationship efforts through strong technical service, professional relationships, presentations, industry involvement, or other activities as appropriate.
• Maintain current knowledge of developments in accident reconstruction, vehicle technology, investigative techniques, applicable standards, research, and professional practices.
• Maintain complete and organized case files and documentation in accordance with company practices and professional standards.
• Demonstrate Knott Laboratory's core values and maintain the highest standards of professional ethics, objectivity, confidentiality, and technical integrity.

Education and Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or another relevant engineering or technical discipline appropriate to the individual's area of practice or experience as an Accident Reconstructionist in a Law Enforcement capacity with crash reconstruction training.
• Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) certification.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure when applicable to the individual's education, discipline, and scope of practice.
• 10+ years professional experience in accident reconstruction, forensic engineering, collision investigation, vehicle dynamics, or a closely related technical field.
• Experience providing deposition and/or trial testimony as an expert witness.
• Demonstrated ability to independently conduct and manage complex accident reconstruction investigations.
• Experience preparing technical analyses, reports, and professional work products.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to investigation, inspection, deposition, and trial locations.

Preferred

• Advanced training in areas such as vehicle dynamics, event data recorders, light timing, commercial vehicle investigations, pedestrian or bicycle collisions, photogrammetry, vehicle inspections, or 3D documentation.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring or developing less experienced technical professionals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of accident reconstruction principles, methodologies, and investigative practices.
• Strong understanding of physics, mechanics, vehicle dynamics, and collision analysis.
• Advanced analytical, critical-thinking, and technical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently evaluate complex and sometimes conflicting evidence.
• Ability to develop objective, scientifically supported, and defensible technical opinions.
• High level of professional judgment, attention to detail, and technical accuracy.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate confidently and professionally in adversarial environments, including depositions and courtroom proceedings.
• Strong project, time, and case-management skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple complex assignments and competing deadlines.
• Ability to mentor others and provide constructive technical guidance.
• Strong client-service and relationship-management skills.
• Commitment to professional ethics, continuous learning, technical excellence, and objective scientific analysis.

Physical and Work Requirements

• Ability to travel to accident scenes, vehicle inspections, client locations, depositions, trials, and other investigation sites.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying environmental and weather conditions.
• Ability to walk, stand, bend, kneel, climb, and navigate uneven terrain during field investigations.
• Ability to carry and operate investigative and measurement equipment as necessary.
• Ability to travel outside the local area, including overnight travel, when required by case assignments.
• Work schedules may occasionally need to accommodate inspections, travel, litigation deadlines, depositions, trials, or other case requirements.

Professional Development and Leadership Expectations

Senior Accident Reconstructionists are expected to demonstrate technical leadership within their area of expertise. This includes maintaining and expanding professional credentials, staying current with emerging vehicle technologies and reconstruction methodologies, contributing to the development of colleagues, and sharing technical knowledge across the organization.

Senior professionals are also expected to strengthen Knott Laboratory's professional reputation through consistently high-quality work, strong client service, professional involvement, thought leadership, and expert testimony.

Success in the Role

Success as a Senior Accident Reconstructionist is demonstrated by the ability to independently lead complex investigations, produce objective and technically defensible analyses, communicate findings with credibility, successfully manage client and case responsibilities, and contribute to the technical development of others.

The Senior Accident Reconstructionist is recognized as a trusted technical resource who consistently demonstrates sound professional judgment, integrity, accountability, and technical excellence.