Over 38 years of combined motorcycle and motocross education, industry, practical and Motocross & GP racing competition experience. This includes: Technical and engineering research, forensic research, test and evaluation, road tests, failure analysis, and technical expert witness for motorcycle, motocross, racing, personal injury, lemon law, and other special cases and matters.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
Motorcycle Accessory Failures
Motorcycle/Motocross Accident Reconstruction
AMA, DOT, EPA, SNELL, NHTSA, BLM, & Numerous Regulatory Agencies
Brakes & Suspension
Carburetors & Jetting
Chassis
Custom Choppers
Drive Systems
Fuel Systems
Engine
Protective & Safety Equipment
Shocks & Forks
Wheels & Tires
Failed Components Causation
KEY SKILLS
Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
High-Performance Modifications
Insurance & Cost Evaluation
Maintenance
Motocross & Racing Standards of Care
On & Off Road Motorcycle
Patent
Precision Measurement
Product Liability
Racing Rules
Repair Fraud
Research & Forensics of Failed Components
Restoration
Track Safety
State & Federal Park & Land Rules
ADDITIONAL MOTORCYCLE/RACING BACKGROUND
Consulted in motorcycle and vehicle-related matters and Motorcycle, Scooter, and Motocross Racing expert witness in cases. Many of those cases involved a post-accident forensic study and reconstruction of a responsible party, affected components, products, failure mode, and critical measurement of tolerances.
- Three years of experience with a major auto tire manufacturer. Worked supporting troubleshooting, diagnosis, application, fitments, sales, installation and warranty functions of aftermarket tires, wheels, and related vehicle components.
- Motorcycle test rider (on and off road) for on-line M/C Magazine and Attorneys.
- Motorcycle shop retail and service experience.
- Licensed Class C and M1 since 1976.
- Authored detailed research papers and led senior projects on general motorcycle chassis design engine configuration, suspension design, and R&D projects.
- Experienced in use of precision measurement tools and equipment to analyze motorcycle component condition and geometry often used in forensic research.
- Experienced in laboratory testing and analysis of failed components from direct experience working in Aerospace fracture and fatigue failure analysis laboratory of metallic and non-metallic materials, structures and components.
- Small business owner and manufacturer of the high-end composite aftermarket suspension, mechanical, structural and control products.
- Knowledgeable in the high-performance engine and chassis modifications and aftermarket sourcing.
- 40+ years of motorcycle competition, maintenance, diagnostics, repair, and restoration experience.
- Maintained and owned more than 30 motorcycles of various brands.
- Licensed (or previously licensed) in AME, CRC, OTMX, OTHG, and CRA Motocross Organizations.
- Prior WSMC Road racing Novice competition license holder. Danny Farnsworth Road racing School 1996.
- Donnie Hanson Motocross Academy Motocross Racing School 2010
- Motorcycle Safety Foundation(MSF) Advanced Rider Certification 2014
- Harley Davidson Advanced Rider Course 2017
- Experienced in motorcycle diagnostics, troubleshooting, repair, testing and evaluation from educational, hands-on, and practical experience.
MOTORCYCLE EXPERT WITNESS CASE EXPERIENCE
(Actual names of Clients, companies and law firms protected for confidentiality)
Plaintiff v. Private Property Motocross Track
Representing: Plaintiff
Requirements: Motocross Accident Reconstruction; Technical knowledge of Motocross accidents.
Description: Rider was seriously injured in a head-on collision on a back yard Motocross track
Outcome: Deposition Taken, Case decided in Trial.
Plaintiff v. Motorcycle Tire Store
Representing: Defendant
Requirements: Accident Reconstruction; Have in-depth knowledge of brake pads, installation, crash dynamics, skid path, engine, and transmission troubleshooting and diagnostics.
Description: After having the client’s brake pads installed on his motorcycle at a motorcycle tire store, the Plaintiff crashed the motorcycle receiving serious injuries.
Outcome: Submitted Expert Report. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Motorcycle Aftermarket Brake Manufacturer
Representing: Defendant
Requirements: Have in-depth knowledge of brake pads, installation, crash dynamics, skid path, engine, and transmission troubleshooting and diagnostics.
Description: After having the client’s brake pads installed on his motorcycle at a motorcycle tire store, the Plaintiff crashed the motorcycle receiving serious injuries.
Outcome: Submitted Expert Report. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Motocross Track
Representing: Defendant
Requirements: Accident Reconstruction; Motocross Racing Injury; Having an expert level knowledge of Canadian Arenacross/Motocross Racing, track operations, safety, track design, rules, standards of care, and riding experience.
Description: A motorcycle rider was hit in a multi-vehicle pileup on a Motocross track during a competition. He sustained severe injuries from the incident.
Outcome: Submitted Expert Report. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Major Trucking Company
Representing: Defendant
Requirements: Accident Reconstruction; Have superior skills in the rider and crash dynamics relating to braking and freeway travel. Technical knowledge of tires, brakes, standards of care regarding traffic safety and equipment.
Description: A motorcycle while speeding on a freeway rear-ended a truck and was killed.
Outcome: Submitted Expert Report. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Motorcycle Dealer
Representing: Plaintiff
Requirements: Accident reconstruction; Technical knowledge of how failed components affect motorcycle accidents and road conditions. Test riding to observe road conditions.
Description: Motorcycle owner had a motorcycle repaired at a dealership that sold him the motorcycle. On his way home from the dealership, he crashed the motorcycle and later passed from his injuries.
Outcome: Because of the shift of focus in the likely cause and effect of the accident, the case is expanding to include an examination of possible road surface neglect. A road specialist is being sought to join us in a possible case against CALTRANS and/or other responsible agencies. Case Pending.
Plaintiff v. Motorcycle Clutch Manufacturer
Representing: Defendant
Requirements: Accident Reconstruction; Have in-depth knowledge of motorcycle clutches installation, crash dynamics, engine, and transmission troubleshooting and diagnostics. Test riding of exemplar Motorcycle.
Description: After having the clients clutch system installed on his motorcycle at a motorcycle dealer, the Plaintiff crashed the motorcycle receiving serious injuries.
Outcome: Submitted Expert Report. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Motorcycle Dealership & Manufacturer
Representing: Defendant
Requirements: Accident Reconstruction; Knowledge of motorcycle engine failure diagnosis, starter, and decompression systems, troubleshooting, teardown, and reassembly in order to establish cause and effect of defective parts and/or possible mistakes made by a repair technician.
Description: Motorcycle was repaired under warranty at a dealership. Shortly after picking up the motorcycle, the Plaintiff was injured when the motorcycle failed to start properly.
Outcome: Disagreed with defendants position. Resigned from being the designated Expert Witness on the case. No case status.
Plaintiff v. Motocross Race Track
Representing: Plaintiff
Requirements: Motocross Accident Reconstruction; Technical knowledge of motocross, Gran Prix Racing, Flagger Responsibility, safety and EMT Protocol, motorcycle racing rules, guidelines, and practices.
Description: Motocross racer hit an EMT Vehicle while it was crossing a race track during a race.
Outcome: Wrote Declaration. Track Safety officials admitted liability for the injuries. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Motorcycle Part Manufacturer
Representing: Defendant
Requirements: Forensic Examination of Failed Components and Accident Reconstruction; Technical knowledge of motorcycle engine design with specific knowledge of carburetor design, installation, maintenance, and repair.
Description: A Motorcycle rider modified his (Pit-Bike) Motorcycle and crashed becoming seriously injured and sued the manufacturers that supplied the modified parts he installed on his Motorcycle.
Outcome: Submitted Expert Report. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Major Motorcycle Manufacturer
Representing: Plaintiff
Requirements: Product Design Defect; Having an expert level knowledge of Motocross Racing and Motocross Motorcycle Design and failure analysis, standards of care, and riding experience.
Description: A motorcycle rider crashed on a Motocross track possibly due to a design defect on the footpeg of the motorcycle. The rider sustained major injuries from the incident.
Outcome: Submitted Expert Report. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Motocross Track
Representing: Defendant
Requirements: Motocross Accident Reconstruction & Racing Injury; Having an expert level knowledge of Motocross Racing, track operations, safety, track design, rules, standards of care, and riding experience.
Description: A motorcycle rider crashed on a So. Cal. Motocross track during practice and got hit by another rider. He sustained moderate injuries from the incident.
Outcome: Submitted Expert Report. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Major Motorcycle Helmet & Equipment Manufacturer
Representing: Defendant
Requirements: Product Liability / Motocross Racing; Having an expert level knowledge of Motocross Racing, track operations, safety, track design, rules, standards of care, and riding experience.
Description: A motorcycle racer crashed on a Motocross track wearing the Defendants brand of Helmet. The Plaintiff was seriously injured in the crash, suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and has permanent injuries resulting from the incident.
Outcome: Test rode during racing conditions. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Major Motorcycle Manufacturer
Representing: Plaintiff
Requirements: Lemon Law Case; Having technical knowledge of motorcycle engine design, Cams, and Camshafts, valve system, troubleshooting and diagnosis of failed components.
Description: A motorcyclist was riding his motorcycle when the engine locked up, skidded and almost crashed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where ultimately it was repaired. After the initial repair, the engine locked up again. Over 45 days later, the owner received his motorcycle.
Outcome: Expert Report Submitted and Deposition taken. Case Won in Jury Trial.
Plaintiff v. Major Motorcycle Manufacturer
Representing: Plaintiff
Requirements: Lemon Law Case; Having technical knowledge of motorcycle suspension, shocks, forks, bearings, tolerances, on road test riding, troubleshooting, and diagnosis of failed components.
Description: A motorcycle owner had chronic issues with Instability while riding at high speeds. After several attempts by the dealer to resolve the issue, the motorcycle remained in dangerous riding condition.
Outcome: After findings were submitted to the manufacturer’s counsel, they agreed to replace all the affected components and paid for legal fees and damages. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Tire & Insurance Company
Representing: Defendant
Requirements: Failure Analysis & Accident Reconstruction; Technical knowledge of Scooter type Motorcycles, tire design, wheel design, Installation, maintenance, standards of care, cause of tire failure.
Description: Scooter rider crashes while riding a scooter due to a front tire blow out. The rider was seriously injured as a result of the crash. A local (auto) tire company installed a new tire on the wheel just prior to the crash. The tire company was suspected of negligence and improper installation procedures.
Outcome: Submitted Expert Report and assigned a percentage of specific blame to both the plaintiff and the defendant. The defendant was only found partially responsible and was ordered to pay $50,000 instead of the $750,000 sought in the original damages request. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Insurance Company
Representing: Plaintiff
Requirements: Motocross Accident Reconstruction; Technical knowledge of motorcycles, motocross, and motorcycle racing rules, guidelines and practices.
Description: Boy gets seriously injured at a Motocross track due to the negligence of another rider not following basic safety rules and motocross track etiquette.
Outcome: Arbitration before local judge. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Private Party
Representing: Defendant
Requirements: Failure Analysis & Accident Reconstruction; Technical knowledge of motorcycle luggage accessories, installation procedures and best practice of storing luggage on the back of a motorcycle. Review of Traffic Collision Report; conducted failure analysis and forensic report on product marketing, design, material, and manufacturing quality.
Description: Defendant sued after a piece of luggage got caught in the rear wheel of the motorcycle causing it to lock up. This resulted in the motorcycle losing control, crashing and passenger fatality.
Outcome: Deposition Taken, Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Major Motorcycle Manufacturer
Representing: Plaintiff
Requirements: Failure Analysis and Accident Reconstruction; Technical knowledge of motorcycle rear brake system and general motorcycle chassis/brake design, function, maintenance, and failure results relative to lack of maintenance.
Description: Plaintiff sues motorcycle division of major manufacturer for faulty design of motorcycle braking system.
Outcome: Discovered improper maintenance was the primary cause of failure. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Private Party
Representing: Defendant
Requirements: Accident Reconstruction; Thorough understanding of motorcycle design, stopping characteristics, capabilities, and crash behavior dynamics. Ability to perform partial accident sequence reconstruction and road surface analysis.
Description: A “Good Samaritan” offering roadside assistance to the victim of a hit and run accident on a freeway was struck by a motorcycle ridden by the defendant. The plaintiff was severely injured in the accident.
Outcome: Defendant found liable for the accident and determined to be traveling too fast for the given traffic conditions. Case settled.
Plaintiff v. Stadium Motocross Race Track
Representing: Plaintiff
Requirements: Motocross Accident Reconstruction; Technical knowledge of motocross, supercross and motorcycle racing rules, guidelines and practices.
Description: Boy dies at MX race in Hawaii Stadium supercross race possibly due to the negligence of event staff and emergency response crew.
Outcome: Deposition Taken, Case settled in favor of the Plaintiff.