Heavy Truck Collision Reconstructionist

Rimkus•St. Louis, MO

About The Position

Rimkus is seeking an experienced Heavy Truck Collision Reconstructionist to investigate, analyze, and reconstruct collisions involving commercial motor vehicles, including tractor-trailers, single-unit trucks, and other heavy vehicles. The role applies engineering principles, collision reconstruction methods, vehicle-system analysis, and knowledge of commercial trucking operations to develop clear, defensible expert opinions for insurance, litigation, and other forensic matters. The successful candidate will work in the field and with technical data, physical evidence, vehicle components, and industry records. The role involves analyzing heavy truck dynamics, braking systems, electronic control module data, and commercial trucking operations. It also requires strong technical writing and client communication skills, including the ability to explain complex findings to attorneys, clients, and fact finders. Responsibilities include field and vehicle inspections; evidence collection and analysis; evaluating vehicle performance, systems, operational records, and collision factors; applying engineering methods and reconstruction software; preparing reports and demonstrative exhibits; maintaining case files; and providing expert consultation and testimony. The position also involves client communication and project management, as well as collaboration with other transportation and forensic experts when needed. Approximately 30% travel is expected, including local and regional field work and occasional overnight travel; travel may vary based on case assignments. Standard overtime applies.

Requirements

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.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex engineering and trucking concepts clearly and objectively.
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 and attorneys or in deposition and 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.
Ability to work collaboratively while maintaining independence and objectivity in professional conclusions.
Ability to perform field investigations, including walking, climbing, bending, and inspecting vehicles and components.
Ability to lift and carry inspection equipment and materials up to 50 pounds as needed, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel by vehicle or air as case needs require.

Nice To Haves

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 documentation, or related technologies.
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Experience providing deposition or trial testimony.

Responsibilities

Investigate and reconstruct collisions involving heavy trucks and other commercial motor vehicles, including single- and multi-vehicle events.
Conduct field investigations, including scene and vehicle inspections, forensic mapping, photography, measurements, and evidence documentation.
Inspect tractors, trailers, single-unit trucks, tires, and other vehicle components to evaluate damage, condition, performance, and possible failure mechanisms.
Acquire, preserve, interpret, and analyze vehicle electronic data, including heavy truck ECM and other electronic control module data and relevant passenger-vehicle EDR data.
Analyze vehicle speed, braking and stopping performance, air brake systems, tire performance, vehicle dynamics, rollover and stability, impact forces, time-distance relationships, and other collision factors.
Evaluate operational evidence, including driver logs and hours-of-service records, ELD data, dispatch and trip records, maintenance and inspection documentation, cargo and load information, and available onboard or video data.
Consider commercial trucking practices and applicable operational requirements when analyzing driver actions, vehicle condition, loading and unloading, cargo securement, and vehicle use.
Apply engineering methods, calculations, simulations, and reconstruction software to test hypotheses and support conclusions.
Prepare technical 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 transportation and forensic experts when cases require complementary expertise.