Services Offered

Mechanical Inspections and Evaluations

Our mechanical experts come to your location and provide various types of mechanical inspections. Our inspectors can support their findings and conclusions with high quality pictures, images, fluid and material analysis reports along with any other types of evidence or documentation needed. We can obtain fluid samples and collect evidence or related documentation as needed. We can transport, forward or store any necessary evidence, negatives, documentation, etc., in our state of the art and secured evidence facility.

Mechanical Breakdown Inspections and Failure Analysis

Our experts will visually inspect and photograph all damages related to the claim and render an opinion as to the cause of the damage along with the extent of the problem.

Failure/damage Verification Inspections

Our experts will verify if the damages, wear levels, failures, and/or procedures reported were accurately stated and verify if all part replacements and labor operations requested are necessary and related to the subject component failure(s). We can witness specific test procedures and will render an opinion about the test results, including comparing all readings and measurements to the manufacturer's specifications and tolerances. When requested to do so, we can recommend any necessary repairs or course of action after analyzing the test results and inspector's findings. We can photograph anything necessary to support our findings where needed.

Road Test to Verify Particular Malfunction(s) and Problem(s)

Our experts will road test the subject vehicle in order to verify specific malfunctions, noises, irregularities, etc. that may only be evident during a road test.

Re-inspections - Subrogation inspections

Our experts can determine if any current damages or failures were related to previous repairs, replacements, substandard workmanship, part failures, wear and tear, lack of maintenance, design flaws/defects etc.

Seat Belt Inspections

Our forensic engineers can test the integrity of the seat belt system including a function test and a visual inspection, noting any problems, flaws, or irregularities related to their fit, finish, or operation and they can render an expert opinion as to whether the occupant(s) were wearing seat belts at the time of the loss.

Automotive Engineering

Origin and Cause Fire Inspections

We will determine the cause and origin of the fire and determine if any potential reasons for subrogation exist. All inspections include professionally prepared, detailed reports including 35MM photos or digital images requested, along with any charts, attachments or reference materials necessary to clearly illustrate our findings. We search the NHTSA recall database for each assignment and follow up with interviews and additional research where needed. We offer material testing to detect the presence of accelerants along with a variety of analysis services for fluids and oil spectra-chemical analysis testing. We can recover and store evidence where needed.

Accident Reconstruction

Our engineers will reconstruct the accident and calculate the speed(s) subject vehicle(s) were traveling at impact. We can determine if the injuries sustained would be consistent with the occupant(s) having worn their seat belts at the time of impact or not.

Forensic Brake System Inspections

Our certified inspectors inspect, test, measure and render an opinion about the condition and integrity of the entire brake system and any other component(s) that could affect the vehicle's ability to stop. Our detailed reports include all pertinent measurements compared to factory specifications and tolerances. If a brake failure is verified, our experts can render an opinion as to the cause of the failure along with the extent of the damage. We search all appropriate recall and technical service bulletin databases related to the subject vehicle and will provide any pertinent details where applicable for possible subrogation.

Unexplained Acceleration Inspections

Our experts check all acceleration system components for operation, flaws, problems, etc. along with any other factors that could have caused either a temporary or permanent unexplained acceleration.

Inspections Where a "Loss of Control" was Reported

Our experts check the brakes, steering, suspension, tires, and all of the components and conditions present that would affect the handling of the subject vehicle for damages, flaws, failures, obstructions or irregularities that may have caused either a temporary or permanent loss of control or effected the vehicle's handling. Our experts factor in environmental conditions at the time of the incident and can conduct interviews as well.

Theft & Recovery Claims

Forensic Lock Evaluations

Our forensic locksmiths can evaluate a vehicle's door, ignition and column locks and determine if any evidence is present to indicate that the locks had been bypassed, defeated, damaged or operated with anything other than a properly cut key. Our inspectors perform microscopic examinations of the internal lock components and can determine if more than one key or a recently cut key had been used to operate the locks.

Suspicious Claims

Our ASE Certified inspectors will inspect the major components and obtain fluid samples where needed to determine if any major problems, damage or indications of a major mechanical, electrical, structural breakdown, flaw or problem was imminent or present prior to the current loss.

Product Liability

We can inspect a wide variety of products, including but not limited to: tires, generators, motors, engines, batteries, bicycles, etc. and determine if any manufacturing flaws or problems are present. Our engineers can analyze a variety of mechanical, electrical or structural failures or damages and determine if the damages were the result of manufacturing flaws, incorrect equipment application, overloading, impact, abuse, neglect, inadequate maintenance, etc.

Oil & Fluid Testing and Analysis

We can test oil and fluids for contaminants and provide a description of the wear levels when requested, which can sometimes aid in the determination of the cause and extent of damages.

Auto Appraisals

Our seasoned appraisers are licensed professionals fully versed and up to date on today's repair procedures. Our appraisers will inspect your vehicle and prepare a professional damage appraisal using the guidelines set forth by your company, including betterment, the type of parts that may be used, etc.

Actual Cash Evaluations - ACV

After thoroughly inspecting the subject vehicle, our experts will calculate a vehicle's current value factoring in current market conditions, location, book values, etc. When requested we can obtain local salvage bids and other related services.

Diminished Value Evaluations

Our experts will determine if the vehicle has been restored to its pre-loss condition and whether the repairs have been performed to industry standards. If there are visible deficiencies, they will be itemized in an appraisal along with an expert opinion as to whether a diminished value should be assessed.

Re-Inspections

Our experts can critique the repairs performed and note any deficiencies. We can verify whether the repairs performed match the repair order and note whether the repairs appeared to be quality repairs and acceptable to industry standards.

Expert Witness Services

Our experts will make themselves available for appearances, depositions, research, review and consultations as needed.

RETAIL SERVICES OFFERED

Pre-purchase Vehicle Inspections
Potential customers can buy a used vehicle with confidence after our expert mechanical inspection is performed. Our experts will verify that all electrical, mechanical and hydraulic components are operating as designed and receive a detailed report of any problems, deficiencies or irregularities evident.

Mechanical Failure/Breakdown Verification
Customers can now verify that the repair facility they selected to repair their vehicle is honest; by dispatching one of our certified inspectors to the shop to verify all failures, damages or problems alleged and to insure that all proposed repairs and replacements are necessary and **MOST IMPORTANT** will correct the problem you the customer brought your vehicle into the shop for in the first place. Our experts will verify whether the repairs proposed by the shop are within industry guidelines and acceptable to today's standards including the parts being used and the equipment used to perform said repairs. We can also aid the customer in recommending alternative repair options that the shop may not have offered.

Subrogation or Expert Witness Services
Our experts can inspect vehicles that have been repaired to determine if the current problem(s) were caused by or in any way related to the previous service performed. In the past 5 years alone, we have dispatched thousands of inspectors to inspect vehicles reported to have sustained damages during, or resulting from previous services, like oil and filter changes, routine maintenance and part replacements and in a large percentage of those cases, we found fault with the servicing facility.

Appraisals & Actual Cash Evaluations
Customers can hire their own expert to appraise collision damages to insure that all damages have been included in the estimate. No longer do you have to accept the value your insurance company states your vehicle is worth because our experts can assess an accurate "fair market value" and provide you with all documentation you will need, including book values, market research quotes and vehicle searches in the immediate area. This will insure that you receive a "fair" evaluation from an unbiased and neutral third party.