Robert (Rob) V. Lord, ACTAR
Senior Consultant
SERVICES GROUP
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Expert QuestionS & AnswerS
How does investigating vehicle accidents differ from motorcycle accidents, and what unique evidence or challenges does each present?
The dynamics of motorcycle crashes differ greatly from passenger vehicle crashes. Motorcycles typically weigh much less than most passenger vehicles, they react differently during and after a collision, their braking dynamics are different, and their EDRs (if they have one) are different that those in passenger vehicles.
Your background as Deputy Sheriff gives you a distinctive lens — how does that prior experience shape your approach to transportation investigation today?
As a Deputy, I responded to collisions immediately after they occurred giving me unique perspective and experience. I had to corroborate the statements given by those involved in the crash and witnesses with the roadway and vehicle evidence to determine the true sequence of events that led up to the collision and determine fault at the scene, normally within a very short period of time. As a Deputy I had to determine whether someone violated state statute and take enforcement action.
What’s one piece of advice you find yourself giving clients over and over again?
Investigate the collision/collect the evidence as soon as possible!! The longer you wait to collect the evidence the more likely it is that the evidence will be lost forever. This includes vehicle damage, EDR/ECM downloads, cell phone data, roadway evidence (site inspections), and driver/witness statements. The longer you wait the more the evidence degrades.
Background
A retired Deputy Sheriff, Mr. Rob Lord served 17 years with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office in Kansas as a Patrol Deputy, Certified Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Motor Carrier Inspector, and Warrant Deputy. During that time, he documented and investigated over 475 collisions, performed/assisted with the reconstruction of approximately 50 felony-level collisions involving serious injuries or fatalities, and performed over 400 commercial vehicle inspections. During his service, he received extensive training in police procedures and practices covering a wide range of topics. He was also the senior investigator for the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Reconstruction Team when he retired.
Mr. Lord is accredited as a Vehicle Accident Reconstructionist by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) #4342. He has experience in all levels of passenger vehicle collision investigation, including car/pedestrian/bicycle, motorcycle, and low- and high-speed collision analysis; damage consistency analysis; and Event Data Recorder (EDR) download and analysis. He has experience with commercial vehicle inspections and Out of Service criteria. He was also a department instructor in basic, technical, and advanced accident investigation techniques.
Education and Certifications
- Basic Law Enforcement Academy: Wichita/Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Facility (2006)
- Commissioned Law Enforcement Officer: Kansas (Retired/2023)
- Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Inspector (Retired)
- Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction: ACTAR # 4342 (2022)
- Member: National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists (NAPARS); California Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialists (CA2RS)