Your Expert Witness

Dr Tom Gibson is one of Australia's leading experts in impact injury biomechanics and has provided expert advice and opinion for over 350 litigation cases in Australia and internationally.

The expert opinion provided is based upon relevant knowledge obtained from experience and personal qualifications of Tom Gibson and the team of engineers within the company.

Our expert opinion is bound by the Expert Witness Code of Conduct in Schedule 7 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules (Amendment 12 - 2006) and the Institution of Engineers, Australia (IEAust) Code of Professional Ethics as amended 2000. Download Dr Gibson's Curriculum Vitae

If you would like us to prepare an expert witness report, then please contact us.

Investigation Techniques

Injury analysis

A thorough investigation of the injuries incurred require review of relevant documents such as ambulance records, hospital records, medical reports, imaging and radiology reports, photographs, post-mortem reports, and personal injury claims.

Accident investigation

Retrospective accident investigation must rely on an incomplete set of information, often from photographs, police reports, witness statements, site inspections, vehicle/equipment inspections, vehicle repair quotes, and inspection of protective equipment such as helmets.

Crash reconstruction

Kinematic and kinetic motor vehicle crash simulations using ARSoftware™ WinCrash can be performed to estimate speed changes on collision based on vehicle damage profiles, and impact and rest positions.

Modelling

Finite element modelling and structural analysis is used to model failure modes and impact loads.

3-dimensional solids modelling and animation can be used to reconstruct complex geometries for visual simulation of injury mechanisms.

Impact testing

Our Impact Test Laboratory is capable of designing unique, case-specific tests using human surrogates such as headforms and chestforms to evaluate injury mechanisms. The data acquired is then correlated with known human injury tolerance data to determine whether the mechanism is likely to be injury-producing for an individual of certain weight and stature.

Areas of Expertise

Motor vehicle accidents

Seat belt use, related injuries

Airbag deployment, noise, related injuries

Low-speed rear impacts, whiplash-associated injuries

Vehicle rollover, occupant ejection, roof crush

Heavy vehicle impact

Vehicle braking, stopping distance, skid-mark analysis, speed estimates

Unprotected road users: pedestrians, cyclists

Vehicle roadworthiness, repairs, mechanical failure

Motorcycle accidents, helmet use

Fall biomechanics

Balconies, bridges, pedestrian walkways, balustrade heights

Ladder falls, mechanical failure, user error

Stair falls, assault

Slips, trips, floor surfaces, footwear

Fall trajectory

Sports and recreation

Amusement rides

Go-karting accidents

Horseracing falls

Boating accidents

Personal protective equipment

Skate-boarding

Motocross and downhill mountain bicycling accidents, helmet use

Ski jumps

Cricket injuries

Gym equipment safety

Occupational or workplace safety

Industrial accidents

Seat ergonomics, suspension

Mechanical equipment failure

Safety harnesses

Back, shoulder, neck injuries

Slips, trips and falls

Forensics

Assault vs. accidental injury

Driver identification

Human performance

Fall trajectory

Bullet/weapon trajectory

Trauma mechanics