Automotive Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
(800) 924-0494

Automotive Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Failure Analysis & Product Liability

Vehicle & Systems Testing

Litigation Assistance

Expert Witness Services

Exemplar Engineering Expert Report

Our Company

Our Clients

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Automotive Engineering Consultants, Inc.
P.O. Box 7391, Ann Arbor, MI 48107

800-924-0494
734-994-0494

Expert witness, accident investigation & reconstruction, mechanical engineering and forensic engineering services.

Failure Analysis & Product Liability Assessment

Our vehicular product liability experience includes brakes, wheels, tires, steering; air bags, seat belts, crash-worthiness; fuel tank and fuel system fires; electrical fires; engines, transmissions and drive trains; unexplained acceleration, cruise controls, computer controls; and vehicle and component structural failure.

A mechanical part or a system of a vehicle is often alleged to have failed, helping to cause an accident. Other times a problem vehicle may warrant assessment under state lemon law. Our detailed knowledge of the parts and systems that make up a car, truck or other piece of equipment allows us to determine whether a part has performed properly or if it did, in fact, fail. In many cases we can make this determination by simple visual inspection.

If failure occurred, a failure analysis may be made to determine the causative element. Engineering audits of the design, materials, manufacturing processes and maintenance received may be made to determine their contribution to failure, including the evaluation of philosophical aspects of design in relation to user safety.

Analytic techniques we use include fracture analysis, materials testing, mathematical calculations and computer analyses. We may survey governmental regulations and manufacturing standards and practices (FMVSS, SAE, etc.) as they pertain to a failure.

Once our investigation and analyses are complete, we report our findings orally, in writing, in deposition, or in expert witness testimony at trial, as required.

You will be able to understand most causes of failure down to the most elemental levels, once we have brought focus to the proper areas and laid out the analysis. Knowing in simple straightforward terms the engineering merits of a failure allows our clients to realize in their own terms the merits of their concern.

Typical Questions We Address in a Product Liability or Failure Analysis Case

Did a brake defect contribute to this fatal tractor trailer truck accident? If so, was the brake poorly designed, was there a manufacturing problem, improper maintenance?

Did the transmission function properly in this accident? Could the transmission manufacturer have used a better design? Was the vehicle properly maintained?

Did the power steering fail on this car, causing the driver to lose control? If so, what specific mechanism failed, and why?

Do the problems with this vehicle support litigation under the provisions of the state lemon law?

We thoroughly investigate vehicle component design, materials, manufacturing processes, maintenance and performance.
We tell you whether and why the failure occurred.