“Standards-of-Care” Regulations in Auto Repairs
R. Scott King, BSME, CFEI, Principal Automotive / Mechanical Engineer Like most industries and professions, the automotive repair industry is subject to a variety of guidelines, standards, and regulations that…
Vice Grip Slip
A homeowner was sued after a neighbor, who borrowed a mid-sized farm tractor, was fatally injured while using the tractor on his personal property. The neighbors had a years-long friendly…
Who Damaged My Car? Ask the Infotainment System.
Robert S. Kinder, Jr., MS, Mechanical Engineer Although cars do not currently answer our questions in the same manner as Michael Knight’s vehicle, KITT, in the Knight Rider series, cars…
Windshield Mystery
John R. Yannaccone, P.E., Sr. Mechanical Engineer Case Description: Late one evening, as the plaintiff was crossing a bridge on his drive home, another vehicle entered his travel lane and…
Vehicle Fires
R. Scott King, BSME, Principal Automotive / Mechanical Engineer Several years ago, a busy turnpike service structure sustained substantial fire damage. Fire investigators suspected the fire originated within a turnpike…
Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, March 2-6
 In 2019 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administered the recalls of more than 38 million vehicles. Of those recalled vehicles, however, NHTSA estimates that only about 75% were…
Facial Steamer Malfunction: Design or Improper Use?
John R. Yannaccone, P.E., Senior Mechanical Engineer Case Synopsis: During a facial treatment at a spa, the steamer being used ran low on water and the esthetician stopped to refill…
Pressurized Water Tank Explosion
John R. Yannaccone, P.E., Senior Mechanical Engineer Case Synopsis: A worker was operating a system used to supply water from a tank mounted on a utility vehicle. Instead of using…
Tractor Parking Brake Failure
R. Scott King, BSME, Principal Automotive / Mechanical Engineer A warehouse worker was seriously injured when an industrial tractor he was standing behind rolled suddenly backward, striking and pinning him…