Frequently Asked Questions

Accident reconstruction is an engineering-based and physics-based process to determine the proximate causes of a crash. Traditionally, accident reconstruction begins with documenting the physical marks and electronic data created during the pre-crash phase, collision, and post-crash phase. Vehicle damage, witness statements, and other information are incorporated to analyze a crash. The findings and conclusions of the accident reconstruction analysis are crucial for legal proceedings, insurance claims, and evaluating safety measures to prevent future accidents.

With nearly 40 years in the field, I specialize in a wide range of accidents and incident analysis, including:

• Vehicle Accidents: Cars, trucks, buses, mopeds, bicycles, and pedestrians.
• Industrial Machinery/Equipment-Related Incidents: Construction, farm equipment, and amusement park rides.
• Fires and Explosions: Origin and cause determination for incidents involving electrical faults, lightning strikes, CSST gas lines, spontaneous battery fires, vehicle fires, and equipment malfunctions.
• Patent Infringement: Expert analysis backed by Dr. Barrett’s experience as an inventor and patent holder.
• Slip-and-Fall Accidents: Including trip-and-fall and ladder incidents.
• Workers’ Compensation Cases: Comprehensive investigation of workplace accidents.
• Firearms Incidents: Analysis of firearm-related accidents and failures.

I hold advanced degrees in engineering from accredited and respected universities and have completed specialized training in accident reconstruction. I have investigated thousands of accidents, fires, and incidents, provided expert testimony in numerous court cases, and have been a certified expert in accident reconstruction. My experience spans working with legal professionals, insurance companies, law enforcement, individuals, and government agencies.

I accept clients from various sectors, including but not limited to:

• Attorneys & Legal Professionals
• Insurance companies
• Government agencies

Yes, Dr. Barrett has successfully passed Daubert Challenges, confirming the admissibility, reliability and relevance, of his testimony.

No, my commitment is to impartial and honest analysis. I evaluate the evidence and provide my findings objectively. To use a popular expression, “I call it like I see it.” Taking a case to Court can require a large investment of your time, energy, and funds. Knowing the validity of your claim early on can help you make the best decisions.

I usually respond to calls and emails within the same business day.

I typically begin work within 5 business days. I understand the importance of timely action and will inform you of my availability during our initial contact. If coordination with other parties or a business is required, we may need to align with their schedules or legal permission requirements.

The cost varies depending on the complexity of the case:

• Initial Analysis: Some cases, like vehicle crashes, can often be initially reviewed using existing documentation (e.g., crash reports, scene measurements, photos). This preliminary work may only take a few hours.
• Detailed Investigation: More complex cases might require onsite measurements, data downloads from vehicles, speed/time/distance calculations, or testing.
  We provide estimates before each step, ensuring no work begins without your approval. Barrett Engineering was established in 1977 and is known for trust and quality.

Over my career, my work has been used in civil disputes by attorneys and adjusters to evaluate or present the merits of their case. My work has been used in criminal cases, resulting in the exoneration of drivers wrongly accused of causing accidents by reconstructing the true sequence of events. In industrial accident cases, my analysis has identified safety lapses that led to significant changes in workplace safety practices, thereby preventing future incidents. Each case underscores the impact of a thorough and accurate reconstruction in delivering justice and improving safety.