Heavy Truck Collision Reconstructionist

Rimkus is seeking an experienced Heavy Truck Collision Reconstructionist to investigate, analyze, and reconstruct collisions involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), including tractor-trailers, single-unit trucks, and other heavy vehicles. The role applies engineering principles, collision reconstruction methods, vehicle-system analysis, and an understanding of commercial trucking operations to develop clear, defensible expert opinions for insurance, litigation, and other forensic matters.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working in the field and with technical data, physical evidence, vehicle components, and industry records. Experience with heavy truck dynamics, braking systems, electronic control module data, and the operational context of commercial trucking is highly valued. The role also requires strong technical writing, client communication, and the ability to explain complex findings to attorneys, clients, and fact finders.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities

• Investigate and reconstruct collisions involving heavy trucks and other commercial motor vehicles, including single- and multi-vehicle events.

• Conduct field investigations, including scene inspections, vehicle inspections, forensic mapping, photography, measurements, and evidence documentation.

• Inspect tractor-trailers, single-unit trucks, trailers, tires, and relevant vehicle components to evaluate damage, condition, performance, and possible failure mechanisms.

• Acquire, preserve, interpret, and analyze available vehicle electronic data, including heavy truck Engine Control Module (ECM) and other electronic control module data, as well as passenger-vehicle Event Data Recorder (EDR) data when relevant.

• Analyze vehicle speed, braking and stopping performance, air brake systems, tire performance, vehicle dynamics, rollover and stability considerations, impact forces, time-distance relationships, and other factors relevant to the collision.

• Evaluate relevant operational evidence, which may include driver logs and hours-of-service records, electronic logging device (ELD) data, dispatch and trip records, vehicle maintenance documentation, inspection records, cargo and load information, and available onboard or video data.

• Consider commercial trucking practices and applicable operational requirements when analyzing issues such as driver actions, vehicle condition, loading and unloading, cargo securement, and vehicle use.

• Apply appropriate engineering methods, calculations, simulations, and reconstruction software to test hypotheses and support conclusions.

• Prepare clear, concise, technically sound reports and demonstrative exhibits, including collision diagrams, animations, simulations, and technical graphics.

• Document and preserve physical and digital evidence, maintain organized case files, and communicate findings and limitations transparently.

• Provide expert consultation, deposition testimony, and trial testimony as needed.

• Communicate with clients, attorneys, claims professionals, and colleagues; manage project scope, budgets, schedules, and deliverables.

• Collaborate with other transportation and forensic experts when cases require complementary expertise in vehicle mechanics, trucking operations, safety, compliance, or human factors.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent technical writing and verbal communication, including the ability to explain complex engineering and trucking concepts in clear, objective language.

• Sound engineering judgment and a disciplined, evidence-based approach to forming opinions.

• Ability to assess competing explanations, identify assumptions and limitations, and support conclusions with appropriate analysis.

• Professional presence and confidence when communicating with clients, attorneys, and in deposition or trial settings.

• Strong organization, case management, and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.

• Commitment to objectivity, evidence preservation, quality, and professional ethics.

• Must be able to work collaboratively while maintaining independence and objectivity in professional conclusions.

Required Experience, Education, and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical or a related discipline).

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

• ACTAR certification.

• Five or more years of experience in vehicle collision reconstruction, with demonstrated ability to analyze complex collision events and explain conclusions.

• Working knowledge of collision reconstruction principles, engineering analysis, vehicle dynamics, and evidence-based methodology.

• Experience preparing technical reports and communicating technical findings to clients or legal audiences.

• Ability to conduct field inspections and work independently while exercising sound professional judgment.

• Preferred:

• Direct experience reconstructing collisions involving heavy trucks, tractor-trailers, buses, or other commercial motor vehicles.

• Experience analyzing heavy truck ECM or other commercial vehicle electronic data, and familiarity with EDR data retrieval and interpretation.

• Knowledge of heavy vehicle systems, including air brakes, tires, steering, suspension, powertrain, and trailer systems.

• Practical knowledge of commercial trucking operations, such as Class A CDL driving, dispatch, fleet operations, driver training, safety, maintenance, or transportation risk management.

• Familiarity with FMCSA requirements and trucking records, including hours of service, ELD data, driver qualification and inspection records, maintenance documentation, cargo securement, and loading practices.

• Experience with reconstruction and simulation tools such as PC-Crash, HVE, Virtual CRASH, or comparable software.

• Experience with forensic mapping, photogrammetry, 3D scanning, drone-based scene documentati