Seth J. Behrens, P.E., DFE

Mr. Behrens has performed investigations and reconstructions of high and low-speed motor vehicle accidents involving passenger cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, bicycles, offroad vehicles, trailers, and commercial vehicles. His experience includes the use of conservation of energy and conservation of momentum analysis to determine the speed of vehicles involved in accidents, crashworthiness of vehicles, occupant compartment intrusion, driver reaction, and time/space relationships and analysis. Mr. Behrens’ investigations often involve analysis of vehicle dynamics, vehicle safety, human factors and visibility studies. Frequent aspects of these investigations also involve the evaluation of the performance of steering, suspension, brakes, tires, seat belts, and airbags. Mr. Behrens has also employed reconstruction techniques to analyze injury incidents and industrial accidents.

Mr. Behrens frequently utilizes the latest technologies available in accident reconstruction throughout all analysis stages, from gathering evidence through accident reconstruction and accident simulation. As a technician certified in Bosch crash data retrieval, Mr. Behrens has retrieved and/or analyzed crash data from electronic data recorders in hundreds of passenger vehicles. Mr. Behrens also has experience in the retrieval and analysis of vehicle infotainment and telemetry data utilizing the Berla iVe toolkit. In addition, Mr. Behrens has experience in the retrieval and analysis of heavy vehicle event data recorders. Mr. Behrens frequently surveys accident sites and vehicles using high definition 3-D laser scanning, total stations, and/or photogrammetry. Additionally, Mr. Behrens is a FAA licensed remote pilot and performs aerial surveys of sites using unmanned aerial systems (drones). After gathering survey data, Mr. Behrens uses computer-aided drafting software packages to view the evidence and gather detailed measurements in virtual space. During the reconstruction process, Mr. Behrens frequently develops and utilizes advanced computer scripts to solve complex and/or iterative calculations. After reconstructing an accident, Mr. Behrens often simulates the accident using advanced crash simulation software.

As a result of Mr. Behrens’ investigations and analysis, he has provided expert witness testimony.

Mr. Behrens has working experience in the manufacture, design, testing and analysis of vehicles and mechanical components in the transportation industry. Mr. Behrens has been involved in full-scale vehicle and trailer performance testing for product development and litigation. In addition, Mr. Behrens has performed product liability investigations and failure analysis for mechanical components and systems related to the automotive industry. Mr. Behrens is familiar with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Standards, and Industry Practices within the transportation industry. Mr. Behrens has presented about accident reconstruction and vehicle technologies for various trade organizations and has co-authored a peer-reviewed publication for the Accident Reconstruction Journal (“ARJ”).