Scaling Your Solution: Automotive & Trucking Workshop

Join ESi alongside legal, insurance, and industry professionals for a day of interactive sessions, live demonstrations, and a mock testimony that will cover fundamentals and nuances related to the lifecycle of automotive and trucking claims.

Doors open at 8:00 a.m., and registration will continue throughout the day. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. You’re invited to take part in any portion of the day that works best for your schedule.

Agenda

Registration & Networking Breakfast: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. (registration ongoing)

Interactive Demonstrations: 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Inside the Battery: Brian M. May, Daniel R. Muller

Join ESi battery experts as they demonstrate probing of lithium ion batteries for performance and safety considerations. Electrochemical testing and battery teardown provide critical insights into electric vehicle (EV) functionality.

Biomechanical Tools and Techniques: James P. Sommer, Hana Chan, Brando Civitanova (ESi)

ESi consultants will provide live demonstrations of measurement tools and methods used for biomechanical analysis in various automotive applications including accident investigations. Attendees will also have opportunities to participate in hands-on activities with equipment.

On-Highway Truck Tractor Familiarization: Richard A. Mink

Various commercial vehicle mechanical systems including engine, transmission, steering, suspensions, brakes, collision mitigation, seating, occupant restraints, and cab access will be discussed.

Screeeeech Crashhh! Live Testing of Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) in an Accident Scenario: Emmanuel (Noel) J. Manuel, Nicholas E. Civitanova, Tyler Clark

See what goes into conducting vehicle testing - the instrumentation and a live demonstration of an accident scenario test! Then join us indoors to see how we use the data collected! Two cars are following one another when the lead car swerves out of the way revealing a disabled vehicle ahead of the trailing car equipped with AEB. See if the AEB system will stop the car in time!

Chemistry and Materials Engineering in Automotive and Trucking: Jason R. Babcock, Gaurav Nagalia, Monica S. Ebert

ESi scientists will demonstrate how our analytical capabilities are used to characterize engine fluids and vehicle paints and coatings. Don't miss this chance to relive the fun of chemistry classes you all enjoyed in high school.

Networking Break: 10:15 – 10:30 a.m.

General Session: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

When Trailers Change the Crash: Vehicle Dynamics and Reconstruction Insights: Marco Garcia (U-Haul - UHI Director of Engineering Services), Joshua C. Rogers, Nicholas E. Civitanova

This presentation will highlight the unique aspects of accidents involving vehicles pulling trailers. Case studies, combination vehicle testing, and reconstruction models will be used to show how driver actions affect vehicle dynamics in significantly different ways during accidents when trailers are involved.

Breakout Sessions: 11:30 – 12:00 p.m.

Commercial and Passenger Vehicle Event Data Recorders: Richard A. Mink

Vehicle event data including ABS, collision mitigation systems, Airbag Control Modules, Toyota Vehicle Control History and GM ADAS, will be discussed. We will focus on how the data can be analyzed to reveal the drivers' actions and the vehicles' responses before and during vehicle crashes.

Screeeeech Crashhh! Analyzing the Test: Emmanuel (Noel) J. Manuel, Nicholas E. Civitanova, Tyler Clark

See what data can be extracted from an ADAS test and how different parameters impact the performance and reliability of a vehicle’s ADAS system. We will discuss the components of a vehicle’s ADAS system and the limitations of current vehicle ADAS and AEB systems.

Lunch: 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.

General Session: 12:45 – 2:15 p.m.

Testimony Theater + Panel Discussion: Geoffrey Waguespack (Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig, LLP - Partner), Bruce Jones (Cruser Mitchell, LLP - Managing Partner, Indiana), Christopher Vlasich (Trisura - Senior Vice President, Claims, North America), R. Matthew Brach, Hana Chan, Anne Mathias

Presented in a theater-style format, this session will feature mock depositions and rulings from a judge to motions challenging an expert, illustrating key aspects of the litigation process. The program will highlight the importance of retaining qualified experts to address all relevant issues and will examine the potential consequences of Federal Rule 702 (Daubert) challenges.

Networking Break: 2:15 – 2:30 p.m.

Technical Talk: 2:30-2:50 p.m.

Evidence and Analysis: Piecing Together the Past: Nicholas E. Civitanova, Matt Burchacki (ESi)

When an accident happens and evidence is scattered about the scene, the documentation of this evidence is critical in painting a complete picture of exactly what happened. In this workshop, we will discuss the different tools available to collect time-sensitive evidence such as photography, video, drones and laser scanning and how this evidence is utilized to reveal the truth around an accident. This session will explain how accurate, early documentation of evidence can affect the course of an analysis and the findings that can be reached.

Expert Panel: 2:50 – 3:50 p.m.

First Draft, Last Word: How Early Data Shapes the Whole Case: Christopher Vlasich (Trisura - Senior Vice President, Claims, North America), Lori Phillips (Trisura - Vice President, Delegated Authority, Claims), Charles A. Fox, Emmanuel (Noel) J. Manuel

Every dispute travels a highway with off-ramps, and the quality of the data collected early in the dispute determines the strength of every turn along the way. This panel discussion travels the highway from scene capture through reconstruction, early visualization, mediation, and trial, with a reconstructionist, a visualization specialist, and a claims executive each explaining what they need from that first draft.

Roundtable Discussion: 3:50– 4:30 p.m.

What do Business Leaders Want to Hear When Accidents Happen? Maxwell Brusky (Transdev North America - Assistant General Counsel, Litigation), Tim Smith (Pivotal Fleet Solutions - Principal), Brian Hunt (The Hunt Law Group - Managing Principal)

Hear perspectives from Safety/Risk, In-House Claims and Liability Counsel, and Outside Defense Counsel on questions and needed answers for Senior Business Leaders after accidents immediately, during the first week, and beyond.