Knott Laboratory provides forensic engineering and animation, Civil & Structural, and Fire & Explosion Investigation services to reconstruct accidents.


Accident Reconstruction

Our accident reconstructionists use state-of-the-art technology in reconstructing accidents


Knott Laboratory provides expert accident reconstruction and analysis for attorneys and insurance professionals on a nationwide basis. Our forensic engineers have investigated and reconstructed thousands of vehicle accidents, including low-speed accidents, front, rear and side impact collisions and multi-vehicle pile-ups; tractor-trailer and trucking accidents; motorcycle accidents; intersection accidents; bicycle accidents; pedestrian accidents; recreational vehicle (such as ATVs) accidents and train and railroad crossing accidents.

Our forensic engineers also have extensive experience with construction equipment accidents, crane accidents and forklift accidents.

Our forensic engineering experts are licensed and registered professionals and are well qualified to simplify complicated issues and to communicate them clearly and effectively in the courtroom. Our forensic engineers have evaluated thousands of vehicular accidents, and have been qualified as expert witnesses in over 600 cases in depositions and in state and Federal courts.

Our accident reconstructionists use state-of-the-art technology in reconstructing accidents. We utilize data information from GPS records, video evidence, cell phone records and Event Data Recorders (EDR) from personal and commercial vehicles. Vehicle dynamics and speeds are analyzed by our engineers and through the use of software such as PC-Crash and Bosch CDR.

Our forensic engineers also produce sophisticated animations, graphics and interactive applications designed to communicate our professional analysis and opinions to the judge and jury or during depositions, mediations, or arbitrations.

We are qualified to investigate:

  • Calculation of vehicle speeds
  • Braking and steering capabilities
  • Impact energy
  • Impact configuration
  • Crash severity
  • Crashworthiness
  • Vehicle dynamics
  • Avoidance scenarios
  • Driver perception and reaction
  • Visibility analysis
  • Occupant kinematics
  • Occupant restraint analysis
  • Component failure analysis
  • Mechanical design
  • Mechanical equipment failures
  • Construction equipment failures

Publications List

The experts at Knott Laboratory have been published in many engineering journals. While most of these essays are quite detailed, these short abstracts express a summary of the overall papers that were published.

The Effect Of Variables On Vehicular Accident Reconstruction

Forensic Engineering, The International Journal, Vol. II, No. 3
1990

Forensic Engineering Use of Computer Animation and Graphics

Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers
December, 2006

Forensic Engineering Evaluation of Physical Evidence in Accident Reconstruction

Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers
December, 2007

Newest Trends in Accident Reconstruction

The Lawyer’s LogBook, Vol. 2, No. 5
2013

Forensic Engineering Investigation of Incidents Involving Corded Window Coverings

Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers
June 2013

Who Can Be a Forensic Expert?

P.E. Magazine, Published by the National Society of Professional Engineers
October 2014

Forensic Engineering Usage of Surveillance Video in Accident Reconstruction

Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers
2014, December

The Forensic Engineer in State and Federal Court

Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers
December, 2014

Experts in the Field

Our forensic engineers are experts in accident reconstruction, failure analysis and cause & origin. Our forensic engineers work directly with our in-house animation department to create state-of-the-art forensic animations for use in court, arbitration, mediation or settlement negotiations.

Richard M. Ziernicki, Ph.D., P.E., DFE

Principal Engineer

(303) 925-1900

Ricky L. Nguyen, M.S., P.E., DFE

Project Manager

(303) 925-1900

Seth J. Behrens, P.E., DFE

Project Engineer

(303) 925-1900

Brent R. Graham

Project Manager - Accident Reconstruction

(303) 925-1900

Jason P. Evans, M.B.A., B.S.

Project Engineer

(303) 925-1900

Henry “Hank” V. Mowry, P.E., DFE

Director of Engineering

(303) 925-1900

View Samples of our Work

Since 1982, Knott Laboratory has been providing comprehensive forensic engineering and computer animation services to reconstruct accidents.

What others have to say about our work


High Profile Cases

Knott Laboratory has become the leader in forensic engineering and computer animation by investigating high profile cases and conveying our analysis effectively during litigation.