Driver is Killed by Road Debris

Case Overview

This case takes place in Texas and involves a fatal accident on a highway. The plaintiff was driving a Ford Focus during his daily commute to work when he pulled in behind a large truck with an open bed, which contained a large quantity of scrap metal. At some point while the decedent was following the truck, a large piece of scrap metal flew out from the bed of the truck. The object struck the windshield of the car at high speed, shattering it and striking the driver in the head. Upon investigation it appears that the projectile that came through the windshield was a large piece of metal that was consistent with the load carried by the truck the driver had been following at the time of the accident. Plaintiff retained an expert in vehicle accident reconstruction.

Questions to the Accident Reconstruction expert and their responses

Are you able to determine where the part came from if you were to examine the incident scene and take measurements and review records?

I would be able to determine where the part came from, if I were to review records and examine the scene.

Have you ever performed this type of assessment?

I perform this type of assessment regularly and review around 50-60 vehicular accident reconstruction cases per year.

What is your background in accident reconstruction?

I have 32 years of experience in the field and a Ph.D. in Physics.

About the expert

This highly qualified accident reconstructionist and forensic physicist has over 32 years of experience in accident reconstruction. He received his M.S at East Texas State University and PhD in Physics at North Texas State University. This expert is a member of several professional organizations including the Texas Association of Accident Reconstructionist Specialists, Society of Automotive Engineers, and American Academy of Forensic Sciences. His experience in the field of accident reconstruction includes former positions as an Accident Reconstruction Consultant at Soft-Tec Computer Services, Inc., Engineering Consultant at Linac Systems, Accident Reconstructionist and Forensic Scientist at Weckerling Scientific Laboratories, and as an Adjunct Instructor in Physics at University of North Texas. He is currently an Adjunct Instructor in Forensic Photography, Scene Drawing & Mapping, and Biomechanics at a major university and the lead Accident Reconstructionist/Forensic Physicist at a full service accident reconstruction company in Texas.