Vehicle Accident Reconstruction

Welcome to my web site. My purpose here is to provide basic information about who I am and what I do. This single page includes a general outline, created without frames so that it may be printed for your records as a complete document.

Vehicle Accident Reconstruction

Investigation of accidents involving automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, trailers, pedestrians, bicycles, off-road vehicles, trains and agricultural equipment. Analysis includes vehicle speed, path and sequence of events. Failure analysis of vehicle components potentially related to loss of operator control. Typical clients are insurance companies, plaintiff and defense attorneys.

Litigation Support

Available to stay in close contact for consultation throughout the case; initial investigation and analysis, discovery, deposition and trial. Accepted in State and Federal Courts across the United States. I am an experienced witness, capable of communicating effectively with the judge and jury. Skilled in the preparation of trial exhibits as required; including photographs, accident sequence diagrams and 3D Video Animation.

3D Video Animation

I have developed the ability to produce computer generated 3D animations to support my testimony as required at trial using the software 3D StudioMAX. I am practically unique as a reconstructionist who is also the animator. In this way the problem of admissibility at trial is directly addressed. The animation that I create is a presentation by me of my expert opinion.

An animation is an extraordinarily effective way to present a reconstruction of an accident. With the scene and the vehicles accurately modeled, the accident sequence can be viewed from almost any point of view. When the accident is particularly complex, with issues of timing and visibility not otherwise easily understood by the jury, an animation is a trial exhibit without equal. Animation demonstration tape available on request. Click here to go to my 3D Video Animation page to view examples of my animation work.

Resume

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (B.M.E.), Georgia Institute of Technology - 1972
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Georgia State University - 1974

PROFESSIONAL LICENSE

Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.), State of Tennessee #15171, Commonwealth of Kentucky #22802

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Society of Automotive Engineers
National Fire Protection Association
National and Tennessee Societies of Professional Engineers
National Academy of Forensic Engineers, NAFE Fellow and Board Certified Diplomate in Forensic Engineering by NAFE, program acredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards(CESB).

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Northwestern University Traffic Institute, Evanston, Illinois
Society of Automotive Engineers, Professional Development Program

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Consulting Mechanical Engineer - 1981 to Present
Providing consulting service in matters related to mechanical engineering. Expertise includes: Automotive accident reconstruction/defect analysis, and failure analysis of mechanical equipment. Automotive investigations have included the analysis of accidents involving automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, trucks with trailers, trains, pedestrians, cyclist, off-road vehicles, and agricultural equipment. Skilled in the use of computer assisted reconstruction, simulation and 3D Video Animation. Qualified in state and federal courts throughout the country.

Manager, Research and Development - 1978 to 1981
Samsonite Corporation, Furniture Division, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Engineering management responsibility for product development of metal furniture. Supervised a staff of engineers and technicians in the task of taking a new design from the marketing/designer proposal stage through mechanical development and testing, funding approval and into production.

Senior Engineer, Naval Nuclear Reactor Equipment - 1974 to 1978
Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Supervisory responsibility as prime contractor for all technical aspects of the procurement of reactor control rod drive mechanisms, including: design, specification writing, contract negotiation and technical administration of the prime contract with the Navy. Also responsible for developing support as required to resolve fleet operating problems. Coordinated the activities of various internal technical support groups, e.g., quality control, materials technology, manufacturing and the facilities of several corporate laboratories. Responsible for contracted equipment valued in excess of $40,000,000.

Design Engineer, Industrial Power Plants - 1972 to 1974
Robert and Company Associates, Architects and Engineers, Atlanta, Georgia
Responsible for system design, specification writing, and cost estimation of low-pressure package steam boiler systems and associated fuel oil storage facilities.

MILITARY SERVICE

Captain, Airborne Infantry, U.S.Army - 1966 to 1970
Commissioned through the Infantry Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia. Served two years in the Republic of Vietnam in positions of platoon and company airborne infantry troop command and as an advisor to units of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam.
Decorations:

Bronze Star - Four awards for valor and service

Purple Heart - Two Awards

Army Commendation Medal

Air Medal

Cross of Gallantry, Republic of Vietnam

Combat Infantryman's Badge

SUMMARY/CONTACT

To summarize, I believe that it is my job to provide clients with the benefit of my considerable experience in the reconstruction of a vehicle accident and/or the identification of defects which may have contributed to its cause. Unlike an attorney I am not an advocate. However, I am prepared to apply all resources necessary to effectively communicate my opinions at trial. I am experienced with the special demands that litigation makes upon the expert witness and have been successful with it.

You now are in possession of many facts about me. Now it's your turn. As you can see from the above material I have a considerable amount of experience which I am prepared to make available to you. I can be contacted in any of the following ways so that we can discuss the requirements of your particular case.

REC Engineering, Inc.

Frederick E. Grim, P.E.

P.O.Box 357

6125 Brown's Mill Road

Lascassas, Tennessee 37085

Telephone: (615) 890-7426

Fax (615) 849-8951

Email: FredGrimPE@mechanical-engineer.com

Web Page: http://mechanical-engineer.com