Chance Jones, BSME, F.E., FAACDP, ACTAR
Principal Consultant
Get to know the expert

Expert QuestionS & AnswerS
You’ve both trained others in your field and testified as an expert witness — what’s the biggest challenge in communicating complex transportation findings to a non-technical audience like a jury?
One of the most challenging things for a jury is overcoming bias. Everyone has bias, and many times members of a jury are only listening for what confirms their predetermined opinion on how the accident occurred. As an expert, I have to present my analysis and opinions in a way that shows the jury there’s more to the case than they thought.
In a crash investigation, what’s one piece of evidence that people almost always overlook but that can tell you exactly what happened?
One piece of evidence that most people overlook is perspective. Many times, based on what a person was doing right before the collision and where the person was greatly impact their perspective and opinions. For example, knowing the location of each witness is critical to a case. Could that person have actually seen what they said they did?
What’s one piece of advice you find yourself giving clients over and over again?
One piece of advice I find myself giving clients over and over again is to ask their experts, what is the crucial/critical aspect that will make or break a case? Having that knowledge can greatly contribute to our client’s foundation to support their case or undermine another party’s.
Background
Mr. Chance Jones received a B.S. from the University of Utah in Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Jones’ primary areas of consulting expertise include accident reconstruction and investigation of heavy truck, automobile, bicycle, motorcycle, side-by-side or UTV, and pedestrian collisions. Mr. Jones is trained and knowledgeable in specialized technical aspects of accident reconstruction, including electronic data retrieval and interpretation, physics, traffic signal analysis, tire models, photogrammetry, failure theories, vehicle and rollover dynamics, and crash testing. Every collision requires knowledge about electronic data retrieval and interpretation, physics, tire models, human factors, failure theories, and vehicle dynamics. Computer simulations and mathematical models are used to analyze vehicle dynamics involved in the collision. He is also a Certified Vehicle Accident Reconstructionist through the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction.
In the course of an accident reconstruction, Mr. Jones inspects the involved vehicles, documenting damage and mechanical condition, and retrieves electronic data. He inspects collision sites, including digital mapping with laser scanners and drones, documenting visibility and gathering and analyzing traffic-signal data. He analyzes collision records, including police reports and photographs, driver and witness statements, and video from dashcams and security cameras. Mr. Jones uses momentum and energy-based methods for determining speeds and computer simulations and mathematical models to analyze vehicle dynamics in collisions. Once a collision is reconstructed, graphical representations of incidents are generated, working closely wth Rimkus’s team of graphic artists to create courtroom-quality video demonstratives at our client’s request.
Engineering services include accident reconstruction, including heavy truck, automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents; state-of-the-art computer simulation and animation production; and engineering services, including vehicle and site inspections, re-enactments, visibility studies, traffic signal analysis, simulations, Hollywood-style animations, vehicle dynamics, rollover dynamics, crash testing, mechanical failure analysis and design evaluation, and more. Collision evaluation services via computer-based analysis, as well as momentum and energy-based equations, are also conducted.
Education and Certifications
- Mechanical Engineering, B.S.: University of Utah (2017)
- Aerospace Engineering: United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
- Licensed Engineer in Training: Nevada (0T9154)
- Certified Vehicle Accident Reconstructionist: The Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR #4888)
- Organization: National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists (NAPARS); Southwestern Association of Technical Accident Investigators (SATAI); Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
Publications
- Jones, Chance (2023). “What is an Engineer,” Anti-Fraud Alliance.
- “Autonomous Vehicles & Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (AV/ADAS),” MCLE presentation for Nevada CLE credit, March 14, 2024.
- “Courtroom Visual Strategies,” four-person panel at NJA Convention CLE credit, September 27, 2024.