Introduction
Dr. Pfeifer has over 25 years of experience investigating and testifying in cases involving a variety of forensic engineering issues. He is a leading expert in accident reconstruction, roadside safety, maintenance of traffic, commercial vehicle accidents, and the analysis of mechanical systems and product failures. Dr. Pfeifer has a strong background in the design, development, and implementation of roadside safety hardware including guardrails, bridge rails, and crash cushions. Over 33 patents have been filed worldwide on behalf of Dr. Pfeifer and associated colleagues who invented safer guardrail systems, vehicle storage systems, shipping container handling systems, and material handling and storage methods. He has utilized his technical knowledge and understanding of patents to assist in a number of matters involving patent litigation.
Dr. Pfeifer has published numerous papers to various organizations, covering topics such as new guardrail systems, energy absorbing guardrail terminals, breakaway sign mechanisms, and material handling technology. He has shared his expertise with many organizations on topics including vehicle collisions, bicycle accidents, roadway construction zones, and accident reconstruction expert witness utilization. Dr. Pfeifer is a registered Professional Engineer in three states and he continues to refine his skills and knowledge of accident reconstruction and roadside safety by staying current with new technology and best practices.
Areas of Expertise
- Automobile Collisions
- Tractor / Trailer Collisions
- Guardrails / Bridge Rails
- Construction Zones
- Bicycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Occupant Kinematics
- Roadside Safety
- Industrial Accidents
- Airbag Control Module (ACM) Analysis
- Tractor Trailer Electronic Control Module (ECM) Analysis
- Product Failure Analysis
- Patent Litigation Technical Analysis
Expert Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
A: Education:
- Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 1997
- M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 1992
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 1990
- Certification in Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2002
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
- Licensed Professional Engineer, Florida, #53037
- Licensed Professional Engineer, Alabama, #28207-E
- Licensed Professional Engineer, Nebraska, # E-7968
- Certified Counter Balanced Forklift Operator
- Florida Advanced Work Zone Traffic Control
- FAA Remote Pilot Certification, #4250439
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- American Society for Testing and Materials – Member of Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and E58 on Forensic Engineering (ASTM)
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- Florida Engineering Society (FES)
- National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Pfeifer, Brian G. “Offshore and Intermodal Applications of the GRID System.”, Presented at the International Port and Terminal Technology Conference, Savannah, GA, May, 2014.
Pfeifer, Brian G. and C.E. Benedict “Streamlining Container Handling with the GRID System.” Port Technology International, Edition 56, November 2012.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Automation of Container Handling with the GRID System.” Presented at the International Port and Terminal Technology Conference, Houston, TX, April 2011.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Streamlining Container Handling with the GRID System.” Presented at the International Port and Terminal Technology Conference, Houston, TX, April 2009.
Pfeifer, Brian G. and D. L. Sicking “NCHRP Report 350 Testing of the BEST System.” Paper presented to the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 1999.
Reid, J.D., D.L. Sicking, R.K. Faller, and Brian G. Pfeifer “Development of a New Guardrail System.” Paper presented to the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 1998.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Development and Simulation of an Energy Absorbing Guardrail Terminal.” Ph.D. diss., University of Nebraska, 1997.
Pfeifer, Brian G. and D.L. Sicking “Development of a Metal Cutting Guardrail Terminal.” Paper presented to the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 1996.
Faller, R.K., M.A. Ritter, J.C. Holloway, Brian G. Pfeifer, and B.T. Rosson “Performance Level 1 Bridge Railings for Timber Decks.” Paper presented to the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 1993.
Holloway, J.C., R.K. Faller, Brian G. Pfeifer, E.R. Post and D.E. Davidson “Performance Level 2 Tests on the Missouri 30-in. New Jersey Safety Shape Bridge Rail.” Paper presented to the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 1992.
Pfeifer, Brian G., J.C. Holloway, R.K. Faller, et al. “Full-Scale Crash Tests on a Luminaire Support 4-Bolt Slip base Design.” Paper presented to the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 1992.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “A Study of Breakaway Mechanisms Incorporated in Traffic Signs.” Master’s thesis, University of Nebraska, 1992.
PRESENTATIONS
Pfeifer, Brian G. “CLE Zoom Presentation – Accident Reconstruction 101, Working with Your
Expert” Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, April 2021.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “CLE Zoom Presentation – Accident Reconstruction 101, Working with Your
Expert” Presented Individually to Multiple Law Firms, 2021.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “CLE Zoom Presentation – Tractor-Trailer Collision Reconstruction /
Technology” Presented Individually to Multiple Law Firms, 2021.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “CLE Zoom Presentation – Tractor-Trailer Accident Reconstruction & Related
Technology” Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, January 2021.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Raising the Bar Virtual CLE Week – Accident Reconstruction 101:
Working with Your Expert”, Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association, October 2020.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “CLE Zoom Presentation – Tractor-Trailer Accident Reconstruction & Related
Technology” FJA 2020 Masters of Justice, September 2020.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “CLE Zoom Presentation – Tractor-Trailer Accident Reconstruction & Related
Technology”, Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association, September 2020.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “CLE Zoom Presentation – Tractor-Trailer Accident Reconstruction & Related
Technology”, Jacksonville Justice Association, July 2020.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Tractor-Trailer Accident Reconstruction & Related Technology”,
Rembolt Ludtke Firm, Lincoln Nebraska, March 2020.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “CLE Presentation on Tractor-Trailer Accident Reconstruction &
Related Technology”, Pensacola Area Defense Counsel, November 2019.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Tractor-Trailer Accident Reconstruction & Related Technology”,
Keenan Trial Institute, August 2019.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Mock Expert Examination and Cross-Examination”, Keenan Trial Institute
Trucking Seminar, May 2019.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Two Engineers and an Architect – Use of Accident Reconstructionist in Auto and Premises Liability Cases”, Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Assoc. Panel Discussion, August 2018.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “How to Effectively Work with Accident Reconstruction to Better Present Your Clients’ Case”, Manasota Trial Lawyers Board Dinner Meeting w/Rick Swope, March 2017.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Accident Reconstruction Basics and Cross Examination” Palm Beach County Justice Association (PBCJA) SCOPE X Attorney Seminar, December 2016.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “How to Better Utilize Your Accident Reconstruction Expert Witness” – Civil Litigation for Paralegals & Legal Assistants Seminar, June 2016.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Auto Accident Reconstruction Expert” – Florida Justice Association’s – Expert Webinar Series, April 2016.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Roadway Construction Zones – What could go wrong?” Presented at Florida Justice Association’s – “Hell on the Highways IV” Conference, St. Augustine, FL, December 2015.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Evaluating the Bicycle Case – an Expert’s Perspective” Presented at Florida Justice Association’s – “Hell on the Highways III” Conference, Boca Raton, FL, December 2014.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Investigating Auto Cases – How to Work with Your Expert to Prepare Your Case” Presented at the Florida Justice Association’s Masters of Justice Seminar, Orlando, FL, September 2014.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Things Aren’t Always What They Seem: Reconstructing the Tricky Crash” Presented at the Florida Justice Association’s “Hell on the Highways” Conference, Tampa, FL, December 2013.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Construction Zone Accidents – What Went Wrong.” Presented at the Florida Justice Association’s “Hell on the Highways” Conference, St. Augustine, FL, December 2012.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Automation of Container Handling with the GRID System.” Presented at the International Port and Terminal Technology Conference, Houston, TX, April 2011.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Streamlining Container Handling with the GRID System.” Presented at the International Port and Terminal Technology Conference, Houston, TX, April 2009.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Animation–Fact or Fiction?” Presented at the American Bar Association’s Trucking Law Seminar, New Orleans, LA, March 16, 2001.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Animation–Fact or Fiction?” Presented at the Defense Research Institute, Las Vegas, NV, February 21, 2001.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Animation–Fact or Fiction?” Presented to Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, Destin, FL, June 2000.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Automobile Accident Reconstruction.” Presented to American Surety and Casualty Company, Jacksonville, FL, June 1999.
Pfeifer, Brian G. “Low Speed Rear End Impacts.” Presented to Hunt Insurance Group, Tallahassee, FL, November 1998.
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: Several hundred.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Automobile Collisions
Tractor / Trailer Collisions
Bicycle Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Pedestrian Accidents
Occupant Kinematics
Roadside Safety
Guardrails
Construction Zones
Black Box Analysis
Highway Safety
Product Design
At Grade Railroad Crossing Accidents
Maintenance of Traffic
Safety Engineering
Structural Analysis
Automotive Component Design
Premises Liability
Roadside Safety Appurtenances
Line of sight analysis
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Approximately 50%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Approximately 50%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Rule 26 testimony list is available upon request.
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: Rule 26 testimony list is available upon request.
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Rule 26 testimony list is available upon request.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Rule 26 testimony list is available upon request.
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 20+ years
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Engineering Consulting
Accident Reconstruction
Failure Analysis
Site inspection and documentation, including surveys
Occupant Kinematics Analysis
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $390.00
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $390.00
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: $390.00
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: $390.00
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Travel billed portal to portal plus expenses.
References
Ron Reed
Reed Law Group
2119 Riverside Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904)619-9050
John Leader
The Leader Law Firm
405 W Cool Dr, Ste 107
Tucson, AZ 85704
(520)575-9040
Keith Kessler
Stritmatter Kessler Whelan Koehler Moore
3600 15th Avenue West #300
Seattle, WA 98119
(206)448-1777
Ben Bedard
Roberts, Reynolds, Bedard and Tuzzio, P.A.
470 Columbia Drive, Ste C101
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
(561)688-6560
Steve Wittmer
Wittmer and Linehan
2014 4th Street
Sarasota, FL 34237
(941)365-2296
CV
Brian Pfeifer, Ph.D., P.E.’s CV
Contact
Quality Forensic Engineering, LLC
2341 Hansen Court
Tallahassee , FL 32301
Mobile: 850-591-8698
Office: 850-583-5510
Dr. Brian G. Pfeifer, Ph.D., P.E.
President/CEO
bPfeifer@Qforensics.com
Spoke with Dr. Pfeifer over the phone about his qualifications and experience as an expert witness.
Has been qualified as an expert at accident reconstruction. While primarily retained in civil cases, about 10% of his practice has dealt with criminal cases. In the criminal cases, he primarily has been retained by prosecution. Has testified throughout the country on civil matters and in Florida and Maryland on criminal cases.
While capable of obtaining downloads from vehicle “block box,” typically reviews the data along with police reports, photos, measurements, and evidence to consult.
Happy to review evidence and consult cases with attorneys to help make a better determination as to how the case should be handled, whether further reconstruction/testimony is necessary or beneficial.