In This Issue: Introduction PAPER: Access to Air Safety Information RESEARCH: Jeep Liberty Rolls Over in Test In the News New Advertising Packages Welcome New Members Events Calendar: 2002 F.A.Q.'s New Books in the Book Store RESEARCH: Event Data Recorders ARC Network Adds Two New Membership Levels Test Your Skill: Depositions About the ARC Network   INTRODUCTION Welcome to the November 2001 edition of the Accident Reconstruction Newsletter. As 2001 wraps up, the ARC Network is working feverishly to update the web site, add new content and improve membership benefits. We have been speaking with a number of accident reconstruction and investigation schools about the possibility of offering our members some discounts. During the past month we have put together some new membership options, a new look to our research section and completely revamped our advertising section. We also updated the entire events Calendar with over 80 classes and seminars for 2001. We began working on some strategic partnership with companies that offer products and services to the accident reconstruction industry and we fixed a few bugs in our expert directory. You can now search by full name, state and service area work together and we enhanced the actual listing. We also reprogrammed the specialty search so it will find different search criteria using different combinations of words (i.e. Airbags and Air bags, seatbelts and seat belts). We are very pleased with the direction the ARC Network is heading and are very grateful for all the support of our members and quests to our web site. We have come a long way since 1998 and are determined to become bigger and better in 2002. We have had many requests to add stiffness coefficients to our web site. If all goes to plan, we will fulfill that request by January 2002. The hits to the ARC Network are now over 500,000 per month and we are still growing. We also have over 215 active members and 8 well known organizations have become aligned with the ARC Network: CAARS, FARO, NYSTARS, NATARI, WATAI, SOAR, NAPARS and IAARS. Thank you again for supporting the ARC Network. Please read on for the rest of the newsletter.... PAPER: Access To Air Safety Information by Harro Ranter, founder and editor-in-chief of the Aviation Safety Network website Preventing accidents from happening and preventing recurrence of accidents that have happened, is a responsibility for everyone in the aviation industry. In order to achieve this goal (air) accident investigation boards issue reports and recommendations in the wake of accidents/incidents, regulating authorities collect data on accidents, incidents, aircraft defects, airprox reports, inspection and surveillance data etc. All these air safety data/information sources are a key element in the process of preventing accidents since it serves as a raw material for safety studies, trend analysis, monitoring, regulations etc. Maybe not directly linked with accident prevention, a manufacturer or prospective buyer may want to investigate the defect and damage history of an aircraft. Similarly, air safety data can be used to claim that a manufacturer knew about certain problems beforehand, because of earlier occurrences. Vast amounts of aviation safety related information are currently available on paper as well as online, free as well as paid and reliable as well as unreliable. It is becoming more and more difficult for aviation professionals to keep track of everything and filter out the reliable and relevant information for his/her organization. This paper focuses on information sources regarding accidents, incidents, aircraft defects and unreported occurrences. Download the paper here (PDF: 723K, 11 pages) RESEARCH: Jeep Liberty Rolls Over in Test By KEVIN A. WILSON : AutoWeek You know the sun visor labels that warn SUV owners that such vehicles don’t handle like cars in emergency maneuvers? AutoWeek contributing editor and test-track driver Pete Albrecht experienced firsthand the seriousness of that warning on Oct. 16. He was driving a Jeep Liberty in a slalom test when it rolled over twice, landing back on its wheels. The Liberty was bent on almost every body panel; Albrecht suffered cuts to his hands and still has a sore neck a month later. He was evaluating the new-for-2002 compact SUV for an AutoFile road test, driving a 490-foot slalom laid out in a level parking lot at California Speedway. The course uses eight traffic cones in a straight line, 70 feet apart, for seven gates. DaimlerChrysler officials question the test methodology, its applicability to the way owners drive, the suitability of the test site and the driving technique. They also say no other testing agency or customer has reported an accident like this one. Read Full Story IN THE NEWS: Every day the ARC Network updates the web site with valuable, important industry news. Following are a few articles from last month.   DOT Announces Test to Prevent Run-off-the-Road Crashes WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced the start of an intelligent vehicle operational test of a system designed to help drivers avoid run-off-the-road crashes. The system warns drivers when they are about to drift off the road and crash into an obstacle or are traveling too fast for an upcoming curve. ``Too many lives are lost on our nation's highways, and this initiative is another step toward improving highway safety through the use of new technologies,'' U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said. ``The Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) system studied in this test is intended to help save lives and reduce injuries by preventing crashes before they occur.'' The test will involve about 120 drivers, ranging in age from 18 to 70, who will use 10 equipped cars for several weeks each in the Detroit region of southeast Michigan. The test will last three years, with on-road testing starting in 2003. The test will assess the maturity of system technology to support its commercial deployment, predict driver acceptance, and evaluate the safety implications of deployment. The technology warns of an imminent collision, but the driver retains control of the vehicle. The system operates on straight and curved paved roads as well as day or night and in light rain. Read the full article Automotive Suppliers Form Safe-by-Wire Consortium To Create Safety Bus Standard FRANKFURT, Germany and DETROIT, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Five of the world's leading automotive safety and automotive electronics companies announced today the formation of Safe-by-Wire, an industry consortium for the development of an industry standard automotive safety bus targeted for use in restraint systems. The consortium represents a broad cross-section of automotive suppliers including Autoliv Inc., Delphi Automotive Systems (acting through its Delphi Delco Electronics Systems division), Philips Semiconductors, Special Devices, Inc. and TRW Inc., through its Automotive business. Autoliv, Delphi and TRW are recognized leaders in the automotive safety arena, SDI is one of the largest suppliers of air bag initiators, and Philips Semiconductors is a leader in vehicle networking technology and one of the world's largest suppliers of semiconductors. The Safe-by-Wire consortium has agreed to cooperate in the selection of standards for a sensor and deployment bus for the next generation of safety systems. Read the full article Class-action status sought in Ford-Firestone suits By Karen Padley INDIANAPOLIS, Nov 16 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Friday said she hopes to rule by the end of the year on whether to consolidate hundreds of ``economic loss'' lawsuits over Firestone tires and Ford Explorers into a class action suit, a decision that will shape the future of the legal battle. U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker estimated the timing of the decision following about six hours of arguments by attorneys for Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F - news) and Firestone, a unit of Japan's Bridgestone Corp. and plaintiffs attorneys. Lawsuits have been filed in state courts across the country over accidents involving rollovers of the popular sport utility vehicles, made by Ford, and involving tires made by Firestone. If the suits are consolidated and the case is certified as a class action, it would expand the claims faced by Ford and Firestone beyond personal injury cases to anyone with an economic loss as a result of alleged defects in the vehicles or the tires. Included could be someone who suffered property damage from an accident that resulted from tread separation, or someone who had not been reimbursed by either Ford or Firestone after replacing Firestone tires. Read the full article For all the news in accident reconstruction and automotive safety please visit the News and Information section of the ARC Network. New Advertising Packages The ARC Network offers advertising solutions to anyone interested in promoting their product or service to the industry of Accident Reconstruction. If you want to target the Industry of Accident Reconstruction, there is no better place to advertise. We currently receive over 500,000 hits per month and host an expert directory with over 200 members. The ARC Network is the number one web site for Accident Reconstructionists, Engineers, and Police Officers. Over the past three years the ARC Network has helped companies become more profitable through advertising on the ARC Network. We have successfully launched many different campaigns and have found certain combinations to be the most effective. We are pleased to announce our newest advertising packages available only through the ARC Network. These packages are proven to provide your company the best possible exposure on the ARC Network. Click here for complete details Welcome New Members The ARC Network now has over 215 members and continues to grow each month. We would like to thank all of our members for their support. We would like to welcome our newest members and those who recently renewed their membership with our organization. Mallie Donohoe - California (Platinum) Max Scott - Colorado (Platinum) David W. Hall - Texas (Platinum) Robert E. Stearns - Oregon (Platinum) Sewell Dixon - North Carolina (Gold) Patrick Moore - California (Gold) Felicella, Don J. - Florida Hardy, David L. - Missouri Chapman, Gary C. - Maine Parkhurst, Bradley D. - Illinois Rawson, Donald W. - Mississippi Anglen, Gary B. - California Mahoney, Michael - California Dickinson, Mike - North Carolina Hughes, Gary - California Peterson, Donn - Minnesota SEAL Corporation - Corporate Membership MEMBERSHIP Become a member of the fastest growing online community developed exclusively for the industry of Accident Reconstruction. Each membership package is tailored to fit your needs and your budget. With over 500,000 hits to this site each month you can't afford not to participate in this professional organization. "We needed to locate an expert quickly, we were able to do so thanks to your site." -Public Defender, California "We receive several cases a year via the ARC Network, thanks for providing a topnotch expert directory!" -Platinum Member ...More testimonials Becoming a member of the ARC Network not only gets you a listing in one of the most visited forensic expert directories on the Internet, it also supports the ARC Network and allows us to continue to provide excellent research and communication FREE of charge to all users of the site. With the introduction of the New ARC Network Expert Directory, membership in the ARC Network becomes even more valuable. Memberships start at just $49 per year. The ARC Network now has six levels of membership to choose from: Individual Membership Basic Membership Gold Membership Platinum Membership Group Membership Corporate Membership Educator Membership Non-Profit Organization Membership Join Today: Application When you evaluate all the promotion and service we provide to our members, you will quickly see the benefits of becoming a member. Finally, when you compare our prices to other web companies, print advertising and distribution lists you realize the membership packages offered by the ARC Network are very competitive and a great value. EVENTS CALENDAR: 2002 Schedule The ARC Network has recently added over 80 new classes and seminars to its global events calendar. The ARC Network provides an easy way to view and register for many of the seminars, conferences and crash tests available across the United States and Internationally. Below is an overview of coming events. Please visit the ARC Network Events Calendar for a complete listing with additional information. December and January Schedule: Computerized Collision Diagramming December 3-7, 2001 Jacksonville, FL For more information click here At-Scene Traffic Crash/Traffic Homicide Investigation December 3-14, 2001 Albany, New York For more information click here Staged Traffic Accidents: Detection and Investigation Wed.-Fri. Dec. 5-7, 2001 - 8 am-5 pm Riverside, CA: UCR Extension Center, 1200 University Ave. For more information visit: http://www.unex.ucr.edu/catalog/safety.html At-Scene Traffic Crash/Traffic Homicide Investigation January 7-18, 2002 Jacksonville, FL For more information click here Traffic Accident Reconstruction 1 Jan 14-25, 2002 Evanston, Il For more information click here Photogrammetry in Accident Reconstruction Jan 21-22, 2002 California For more info and registering information click here Interviewing Techniques for the Traffic Crash Investigator Jan 21-25, 2002 Jacksonville, FL For more information click here Advanced Traffic Crash Investigation Jan 21-Feb 1, 2002 Jacksonville, FL For more information click here The Role of the Expert Witness in Product Liability Litigation Jan 22-23, 2002 California For more info and registering information click here Pedestrain/Bicycle Crash Investigation Jan 28-Feb 1, 2002 Miami Beach, FL For more information click here Traffic Accident Reconstruction 2 Jan 28 - Feb. 2, 2002 Evanston, Il For more information click here Principles and Procedures of Traffic Accident Investigation Jan 28 - Feb. 2, 2002 Riverside, CA For more information contact UCR Extension, Natural Sciences Department (909) 787-5804 or sciences@ucx.ucr.edu At-Scene Traffic Crash/Traffic Homicide Investigation January 28-Feb 8, 2002 St. Petersburg, FL For more information click here   To view the entire Events Calendar, click here Add your event to the ARC Network Events Calendar FREE If you would like to add your event to the ARC Network please e-mail your information to arc@accidentreconstruction.com. Frequently Asked Questions As the ARC Network grows so does the amount of email we receive. Each month we are going to answer a few of the most frequently asked questions. QUESTION: How do I know if I qualify for a discount on Membership? ANSWER: The ARC Network has partnered with a few professional accident reconstruction/investigation organizations. If you are a current member of ANY of those organizations you qualify for a 10% discount on ANY ARC Network membership. A current list of all participation organization can be found at the following URL: http://www.accidentreconstruction.com/members/discounts.asp QUESTION: Can my company participate in a Corporate membership? ANSWER: YES. This is a new level of membership. We have always had a participating organization membership (now called non-profit membership), but that membership is limited to actual non profit organizations that help further the advancement of accident reconstruction, investigation and engineering. Our new corporate membership allows a private practice company with multiple reconstructionists, engineers and investigators to participate in an ARC Network membership. For complete information on this membership, click here. QUESTION: Does the ARC Network offer referral fees? ANSWER: Yes and No. We currently offer referral fees for Educator Members but not for individuals. However, that will be changing in 2002. We are currently working a method to offer referral fees to ARC members who refer others to join the ARC Network. Hopefully, we will implement this in January 2002. New Books in the Book Store The ARC Network is pleased to announce 3 new books to our book store. These books are offered from SEAK, Inc.   How to Excel During Depositions Techniques for Experts That Work By Steven Babitsky, Esq. and James J. Mangraviti, Jr., Esq. An indispensable resource for all experts. How to Excel During Depositions has been written as a companion volume to the authors’ best-selling text How To Excel During Cross-Examination. How to Excel clearly and simply explains exactly what to do and what not to do during all phases of the deposition process including: scheduling, preparation, dealing with documents and subpoenas, answering counsel’s questions, avoiding abuse, and collecting your fee. The authors teach by example and have included over 150 examples of question and answer exchanges from depositions. Each example contains a "lesson" in which the authors emphasize what should be learned from it. Also included is a detailed index, deposition checklist, select Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and much more. To preview Section 6.3: Advice on Answering Questions, Click Here. ©1998 Price: $59.95 SKU#: Depbook ISBN 1892904004 Hardback, 284 Pages Order Form How to Excel During Cross-Examination Techniques for Experts That Work by Steven Babitsky, Esq. and James, J. Mangraviti, Jr., Esq. This new practical survival guide for expert witnesses reveals all of the techniques and "tricks" used by trial attorneys during cross-examination. Each technique is identified, explained and illustrated with actual and sample trial testimony. As an expert witness, your "marketability" will increase dramatically once you master cross-examination. Attorneys seek out expert witnesses who excel during cross-examination. Price: $59.95 SKU#: CEBOOK ISBN: 0965219720 Paperback, 197 pages Order Form The Comprehensive Forensic Services Manual The Essential Resources For All Experts Steven Babitsky, JD, James J. Mangraviti, JD, and Christopher J. Todd, JD The definitive work on expert witnessing. The Comprehensive Forensic Services Manual contains over 400 examples with answers to the most vexing problems experts face, including: how to best connect with and persuade a jury, how to market yourself professionally and cost-effectively, premium fee-setting, billing and collection techniques, expert witness risk management, how to handle abuse by attorneys, how to maintain high ethical standards, bullet-proofing your CV and written reports, meeting challenges under Daubert, the limits of discovery and privilege, and much, much more. In the appendices you’ll find invaluable resources that aid in the "business" aspect of being an expert. These include a compendium of expert witness referral organizations; a list of online and print directories; a list of legal journals and other publications; a list of key Internet sites; a list of bar associations and other legal associations; model expert fee schedules; model fee agreements; model bills; a model consulting agreement; model marketing letters; and a fee survey which tells what other experts are charging for their time. The extensive chapter on Marketing a Forensic Practice is a treasure trove of proven, professional marketing techniques that work. A detailed index and table of contents make key information quick and easy to access and utilize. The Comprehensive Forensic Services Manual will be updated regularly and comes with an unconditional 30 day money-back guarantee. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with The Comprehensive Forensic Services Manual, simply return it to SEAK within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. The Comprehensive Forensic Services Manual ©2000 Price: $124.99 SKU#: ForMan ISBN 1892904071 Hardback, 620 pages Order Form You can find these books and more in the ARC Network Book Store. RESEARCH: Event Data Recorders The ARC Network has been receiving many questions about event data recorders and Vetronix CDR. We originally planned on having this research section complete in time for this newsletter, however, we are still working on the section. This research section should be live on the ARC Network in the next couple of weeks and we will send an email announcement letting you know when it is ready for viewing. To make sure you are on our email list for announcements, please sign our Guest Book. ARC Network Adds Two New Membership Levels The ARC Network is pleased to announce two new membership levels. The ARC Network has primarily focused on an individual membership base, however, because we have received so many people wanting group memberships, we have created a Corporate Membership and an Educator Membership. Corporate Membership: For more than three (3) years The ARC Network has been accepting memberships for individuals who provide professional services within the accident reconstruction industry. The ARC Network is now pleased to offer corporate memberships to companies who employ multiple experts under one roof. The ARC Network has compiled a comprehensive plan to help these companies with Internet presence, traffic, marketing and most importantly more cases! For complete details, click here... Educator Membership: The ARC Network is dedicated to helping the entire industry of accident reconstruction. There are many schools and colleges that provide excellent training to help individuals become more efficient and better trained in accident investigation and reconstruction. The ARC Network has put together a comprehensive plan to help these schools and colleges gain better attendance, announce course availability more effectively and potentially bring some money back to the school. For complete details, click here... Test Your Skill: Depositions An expert deposition is the deposition of a person who has been designated as an expert witness in a case. Expert witnesses are witnesses who, due to their "knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education", may give testimony in the form of an opinion. An expert witness needs to be contrasted with a fact witness. Generally, a fact witness's testimony is limited to what the witness observed, heard, smelled, tasted, or felt. Fact witnesses generally are not allowed to testify in the form of an opinion. This months Test Your Skill starts with some basics of depositions and in the following months will develop to more specific skills. 1. What is a "Stipulation"? 2. What is an "Objection"? 3. What is meant by "Instructions Not to Answer"? Click Here for the answers... All Newsletters are archived online. The ARC Network is designed to save one of the most valued commodities: time. The resources of the ARC Network are available twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. Best of all, the ARC Network is free. Please let us know what you would like to see in the site and how we could make it more valuable to you. After all there is no ARC Network without YOU. Thank you for your time, The Entire Staff of the ARC Network. www.accidentreconstruction.com arc@accidentreconstruction.com ABOUT THE ARC NETWORK The ARC Network stands for Accident Reconstruction Communications Network. We are a web-based professional organization specifically for accident reconstruction and accident investigation. Located on the Internet at www.AccidentReconstruction.com, the ARC Network provides its users with a multitude of communication and research tools that aid in the efficiency and effectiveness of daily case requirements. The ARC Network is created as a "community" which has a look, feel and functionality that individuals and businesses within the industry of accident reconstruction can immediately recognize. Equally important, it is simple, easy to use, and has a low barrier to entry, which is, no new hardware, proprietary software, or other upfront costs. The ARC Network allows users to enter the web site specifically designed for them and their industry and retrieve the information they want as quickly as possible. Along with daily industry news, an events calendar, a comprehensive research directory, crash test data, a bookstore, a training section and an interactive online discussion forum, the ARC Network also maintains a professional accident reconstruction expert directory. Attorneys, insurance agencies and other professional companies use the expert directory to locate and retain qualified experts. You will see the benefit of having one Internet web site that you can visit to obtain the information you need. ADVERTISING WITH THE ARC NETWORK The ARC Network offers advertising solutions to anyone interested in promoting their product or service to the industry of Accident Reconstruction. The ARC Network is currently receiving close to 500,000 hits to the site each month. Now is the time to advertise your product or service in the ARC Network. For more information please visit our Advertising Section or e-mail arc@accidentreconstruction.com.