Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. A motor vehicle accident happens about once every six minutes; almost 43,000 people died in car accidents in 2021, and early reporting suggests that fatalities in 2022 will be even higher. Given these sobering statistics, every plaintiffs’ attorney must understand these life-changing events from every angle.
An expert-level understanding of car-crash analytics means a clearer understanding of the physics at work, a better sense of what questions to ask your expert witness, and a cross-examination roadmap that flattens the defense’s arguments.
Mastering Motor Vehicle Cases II contains over six hours from the second advanced Trial Guides seminar dedicated to motor vehicle cases and includes elements of crash analysis and reconstruction that are rarely offered to attorneys. With content tailored to the needs of the plaintiffs’ bar, this presentation is designed to help every attorney take on their next motor vehicle case with confidence.
This auto injury program includes the following topics:
- Spinal injury causation in motor vehicle cases
- Correlation (and lack thereof) between vehicle damage and occupant damage
- Differences between sprains and strains, as well as grading systems for these injuries
- Acceleration differences for the car, lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and head
- Epidemiology of whiplash injuries
- Delayed onset of symptoms after a motor vehicle collision
- Mild traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer’s causation after a motor vehicle collision
- Standard concussion and traumatic brain injury definitions
*Please note: This video set includes highlights from an exclusive live event for lawyers. Due to copyright and other restrictions, this presentation does not include the materials from the conference. Visit our Seminars & CLE page to discover more case-changing CLE programs.
Disc 1: Auto Crash Reconstruction [103 Minutes]
1. Overview of the Program
2. Auto Crash Reconstruction
3. “Accident” Is an Inaccurate Term
4. Understanding Auto Crash Reconstruction
5. Using Software to Determine Forces on Vehicle Occupants
6. Additional Injury Factors to Consider
7. Vehicle Inspections
8. Important Vehicle Parameters (Impact Velocity and Dn)
9. Problems with the Defense Reconstructionist’s Reliance upon Dn
10. Airbag Control Modules (aka “Black Box” or Event Data Recorder)
11. Vehicle Cameras 12. Occupant Analysis
13. Weaknesses in Accident Reconstruction
14. National Automotive Sampling System Database (NASS)
15. Mitchell Repair Center
Disc 2: Myths and Legends That Never Die [102 Minutes]
1. Myth 1: Low Vehicle Damage Crashes vs. Activities of Daily Living
2. The Defense Use of Average Acceleration Rather Than Peak Acceleration
3. Myth 2: Everyone Recovers in 6–12 Weeks
4. Myth 3: 5 mph Is the Threshold for Injury
5. Myth 4: Whiplash Is Psychological
6. Myth 5: The Bumper Game
7. Myth 6: “My Foot Slipped Off the Brake”
8. Myth 7: A TBI Is Not possible in a Low-Speed Crash
9. Myth 8: NASS Can Determine Injury Risk
10. Myth 9: 50 Percent of Asymptomatic People Have a Disc Herniation
11. Waddell’s Sign Is Unreliable
12. Myth 10: Pre-Existing Spondylosis (Disc Degeneration) = Pain
13. Myth 11: Lumbar Spine Is Protected by the Seat Back
14. Overview for Cross-Examination of Defense Witnesses
Disc 3: Whiplash and Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries Part 1 [90 Minutes]
1. Whiplash and Mild TBIs in Motor Vehicle Cases
2. The ER Fails to Diagnose TBIs in over 50 Percent of All Cases
3. Grading Systems for Whiplash Injury and Mild TBI
4. Comparing Vehicles to Occupant Damage
5. Considering Crash Test Findings
6. Misconceptions about Motor Vehicle Cases
7. Myth: Low Velocity = Low Risk of Injury
8. Acceleration of Car, Lumbar Spine, Thoracic Spine, and Head Are All Different
9. Torso Overspeed
10. Epidemiology of Whiplash Injury
11. Risk and Outcome (Forensic Risk Analysis)
Disc 4: Whiplash and Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries Part 2 [85 Minutes]
1. Risk and Outcome (Forensic Risk Analysis) [Continued]
2. Delayed Onset of Symptoms
3. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Double Crush Syndrome
4. Risk and Outcome (Forensic Risk Analysis) [Continued]
5. Concussion and Mild TBI
6. Alzheimer’s Caused by Mild TBI
7. Standard TBI Definitions
8. Q&A
9. Clarification on Dementia Risk after a TBI 10. Use of Video Fluoroscopy in Trauma