Rapid Response Strategies in Accident Investigations: Legal & Claims Perspectives

Patrick C. Dowd, Senior Partner | Dowd & Dowd

James (Jim) Pooley is one of the world’s foremost authorities on trade secret law and management. With a career spanning more than fifty years rooted in Silicon Valley, he brings an unmatched combination of litigation experience, scholarly authorship, international diplomacy, and organizational leadership to the protection and strategic use of confidential business information. Mr. Pooley serves clients as an expert witness, trusted advisor, litigator, and neutral in complex trade secret and intellectual property disputes.

• Education & Credentials

Patrick holds three degrees from nationally respected institutions. He earned his B.S. (cum laude) from Northern Arizona University, where he was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and competed in Division I-A football as a defensive back in the Big Sky Conference (1978–81). He went on to earn his M.S. (magna cum laude) from Northwestern University and his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law, where he was inducted into Phi Delta Phi Honor Society.

• Recognition & Leadership

Patrick’s career is defined by consistent, peer-driven recognition at the highest levels of the profession. He has held the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating — the highest peer-review standard — continuously since 1990, alongside an A+ rating from Best Recommended Attorneys over the same period. He has been selected by his peers to Illinois Super Lawyers every year since 2006 and elected to Leading Lawyers, a distinction held by the top 2% of all Illinois attorneys, that same year. In 2008, the Illinois Bar Journal named him a Top Civil Defense Lawyer, and in 2005, Chicago Lawyer recognized him among the top civil defense-related lawyers in Illinois. He was elected to the American College of Transportation Attorneys (ACTA) in 2009 as the sole Illinois representative, a role he continues to hold while also serving as Treasurer and Conference Co-Chair. Crain’s Chicago Business named him a Top Civil Defense Trial Lawyer in Illinois in 2013 — the same year Super Lawyers magazine featured him in a profile article titled Continuing A Legal Legacy. Chicago Magazine recognized him as a Top Attorney in Illinois in 2019, and in 2020, the American College of Trial Lawyers selected him as one of America’s Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators. Most recently, he was inducted into the Illinois Society of Trial Lawyers in 2023.

• Professional Involvement

Patrick is deeply engaged in professional organizations, bar activities, legal education, and philanthropic service. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the International Association of Defense Counsel, and the Defense Research Institute (DRI), where he has been a member since 1980 and has served on the Trucking Sub-Committee since 1997 and the Litigation Skills Committee since 2023. He is a longstanding member of the Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA) since 1987, the Transportation Lawyers Association, and the American College of Transportation Attorneys (ACTA) as the sole Illinois representative since 2009. His leadership roles include election to the Illinois Defense Council Board of Directors (2005–2008), service as an Assembly Member of the Illinois State Assembly (1994–1996), and chairmanship of the 20th Annual TIDA Industry Seminar in 2012, in addition to service on multiple Chicago Bar Association committees — including the Trial Techniques, Tort Litigation, and Civil Practice Committees — and on the ISBA’s Allerton House Steering Committee. A prolific speaker and educator, Patrick has delivered seminars and keynote presentations at conferences hosted by ACTA, TIDA, DRI, the ABA, CLM, ACI, and the ATA, as well as for major carriers such as Schneider National and Swift Transportation, on topics ranging from defending catastrophic-loss claims and confronting “Reptile Theory” plaintiff strategies to remittitur and post-trial motions, litigation ethics, rapid-response investigation, and autonomous vehicle liability — with notable engagements including presenting at Lloyd’s of London on negotiation tactics (2019), serving as an Instructor in Georgetown University’s Summer Trial Law Program (2024), and teaching Strategic Negotiation Management workshops in Northwestern University’s Masters Program (Spring 2025), alongside multi-city national seminar tours spanning Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando, Philadelphia, New York City, Houston, and Los Angeles. He has authored numerous articles published in the Illinois State Bar Association Trial Briefs, the Illinois Bar Journal, the Illinois Law Journal, and DRI’s In Transit, covering topics including peremptory challenges, good-faith findings, the collateral source rule, broker liability, blood-alcohol evidence in civil cases, intoxication as a defense, and autonomous vehicle liability. Beyond the profession, Patrick has devoted decades to charitable work, serving as Executive Director of Children’s Charities of Chicago (1985–1996) and as a member of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago Board of Advisors since 1997, appointed by Cardinal George, along with service on the Legal Advisory Committee of Catholic Charities since 2000 and board and advisory positions with Chicago Canine Rescue (2005–Present), the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2015–2019), the National Shrine of Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini Mercy Home (2016–Present), Hammer Fitness – Youth Boxing (2022–Present), and the Maryville Foundation (2023–Present).

• Experience

Patrick’s career at Dowd & Dowd, Ltd. spans four decades of civil defense trial work at the highest level, serving as Regional and National counsel defending catastrophic-loss claims in state and federal courts throughout the United States, with concentrated expertise in transportation and trucking litigation, insurance defense, products liability, and premises liability. His trial record is extensive and well-documented through years of sustained peer recognition — he has been continuously selected to Super Lawyers since 2006, elected to Leading Lawyers as one of the top 2% of Illinois attorneys, and inducted into the Illinois Society of Trial Lawyers in 2023, distinctions that collectively attest to his standing among the most accomplished civil defense trial attorneys in the state, while his election to the American College of Transportation Attorneys as the sole Illinois representative further underscores his national prominence in the transportation defense arena. Beyond the courtroom, Patrick has shaped the practice through decades of thought leadership — authoring articles on evolving areas of civil defense law, chairing major industry seminars, and teaching trial advocacy and strategic negotiation at Georgetown University and Northwestern University — reflecting a deep commitment not only to winning cases but to advancing the profession and giving back through extensive charitable service.

Jon Bond, Attorney | The Law Firm for Truck Safety

Jon Bond is a nationally recognized plaintiff’s personal injury attorney at The Law Firm for Truck Safety, where he dedicates his practice to representing victims of catastrophic truck crashes. Known for his unwavering passion for trial advocacy and client-centered approach, Jon has established himself as a formidable force in trucking litigation, securing over $100 million in verdicts and settlements for his clients since joining the firm in 2024. Based in Columbus, Ohio, his trucking practice spans the entire country, and he brings a rare combination of legal acumen, courtroom tenacity, and genuine compassion to every case he handles.

• Education & Credentials

Jon earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where he was recognized with the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in both Trial Practice and Law & Economics. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Ohio State University. Jon is admitted to practice in the State of Ohio and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

• Recognition & Leadership

Jon’s accomplishments in the courtroom have drawn significant attention at both the state and national levels. Alongside his colleague Michael Leizerman, he achieved an $82.1 million verdict in a trucking case in Jefferson County, Ohio — the largest known trucking verdict in Ohio history and the largest known amputation verdict in United States history. He is the recipient of the Judge Joseph H. Harter Memorial Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy and has been featured across major media outlets, including NBC4 Columbus, WBNS CBS10, WTOL CBS11 Toledo, and the Springfield News-Sun. Jon has also achieved one of the most consequential decisions in Ohio history for individuals who have suffered traumatic brain injuries and significant pain and suffering.

• Professional Involvement

Jon is actively engaged in the trucking safety and legal advocacy communities. He is a member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group, The Ohio Association for Justice, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Columbus Bar Association. Beyond his professional affiliations, Jon is committed to giving back to the community, serving as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio.

• Experience

Throughout his career, Jon has held significant roles at several prominent Ohio law firms, where he developed deep expertise in personal injury litigation and a proven track record of results. Since joining The Law Firm for Truck Safety, he has secured over $100 million in combined verdicts and settlements on behalf of truck accident victims and their families. His landmark results include a $750,000 truck crash settlement for a client who sustained a broken leg and the record-setting $82.1 million trucking verdict in Jefferson County. Jon’s hands-on approach, comprehensive understanding of trucking regulations, and dedication to holding wrongdoers fully accountable make him an invaluable advocate for those navigating the complex aftermath of a serious truck accident. Originally from Buffalo, New York, and a proud double Buckeye, Jon now resides in Columbus’s Merion Village neighborhood with his wife, Megan, and their two young sons.

Adam L. Slone, Partner | Brian G. Miller CO., LLC

Adam L. Slone is a trial attorney and partner at Brian G. Miller Co., LLC, where he represents individuals and families affected by catastrophic injuries and wrongful death resulting from negligence. With a practice spanning Ohio and West Virginia, Adam has built a reputation for securing substantial recoveries in complex cases — from traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries to claims involving trucking companies, rideshare services, and negligent drivers. He also advocates for groups of hourly workers in wage and hour disputes, holding employers accountable for pay violations. Known for his attentiveness, clarity, and deep sense of responsibility, Adam brings both legal skill and genuine compassion to every client relationship.

• Education & Credentials

Adam earned his Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio, where he served as a Staff Member of the Law Review and competed as a Fellow on the Fall National Moot Court Team. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, where he was a member of the NCAA Division I Men’s Cross Country Team. Adam further honed his trial skills at the National Employment Lawyers Association’s Trial Boot Camp in Chicago. He is admitted to practice in Ohio and West Virginia, as well as before the United States District Courts for the Southern District of Ohio, the Southern and Northern Districts of West Virginia, and the Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas.

• Recognition & Leadership

Adam’s courtroom results have earned him significant peer and industry recognition. He holds the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating — the highest distinction for professional excellence in legal expertise, communication, and ethical standards as rated by fellow attorneys. He has been named a Rising Star by Ohio Super Lawyers, a designation reserved for the top 2.5% of Ohio attorneys under 40, and was selected as a Top 40 Under 40 in Civil Plaintiff law by The National Trial Lawyers. Adam is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a distinction limited to attorneys who have achieved significant case results. In addition to his plaintiff’s practice, Adam serves as outside counsel to the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, representing the organization in select plaintiff-side business litigation matters.

Professional Involvement

Adam is actively engaged in the professional legal community at the local, state, and national levels. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, where he participates in both the Brain Injury Litigation Group and the Trucking Litigation Group. He is also a member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, the Ohio Employment Lawyers Association, and the West Virginia Association for Justice. Within the Ohio Association for Justice, Adam served as Chair of the Young Lawyer Section from 2022 to 2024 and continues to serve on the Board of Trustees. He also chaired the Negligence Committee of the Columbus Bar Association in 2021 and 2022. Adam is a frequent speaker on legal topics, having presented at conferences hosted by the American Association for Justice, the Ohio Association for Justice, and the West Virginia Association for Justice. His presentations have addressed topics including wage recovery strategies under federal and state statutes, litigation involving gig-economy delivery services, and trial preparation for day-in-the-life evidence. He has also published on the intersection of injury claims and employment discrimination in the Ohio Association for Justice’s quarterly journal.

• Experience

Adam’s career reflects a consistent commitment to trial advocacy and client service. Before joining Brian G. Miller Co., LLC, he served as an Associate Attorney at Saad Dixon Law Offices, where he managed employment and personal injury claims through all stages of litigation and served as first-chair counsel in nine bench trials. He also gained early experience as a Legal Extern with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Court of Claims Defense Section, and as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Darrell Pratt in the Circuit Court of Wayne County, West Virginia. Today, Adam’s practice centers on catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation, with particular depth in cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, trucking and rideshare accidents, and wage and hour class actions. His track record of meaningful recoveries — combined with the trust, accessibility, and personal attention he provides to every client — distinguishes him as a dedicated advocate for those navigating the most challenging moments of their lives.

Robert Bennett, Accident Reconstruction Expert | Evidence Solutions, Inc.

Robert Bennett is an ACTAR-accredited accident reconstruction expert with more than three decades of experience in traffic collision investigation and forensic analysis. As a member of the expert witness team at Evidence Solutions, Inc., he specializes in commercial and private vehicle accident reconstruction, crash data retrieval, forensic mapping, and scene analysis — delivering clear, science-backed findings in both criminal and civil proceedings. His work spans the full spectrum of collision types, including pedestrian and bicycle crashes, motorcycle incidents, commercial motor vehicle accidents, and cases involving hybrid and electric vehicles.

• Education & Credentials

Robert holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a Certificate in Criminal Justice from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York (1993). He is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR #2897), a credential he has maintained since 2015. He has amassed over 1,840 hours of specialized collision investigation training through institutions including the Institute of Police Technology and Management at the University of North Florida, Northwestern University, Leica Geosystems, and the Collision Safety Institute. His coursework encompasses advanced crash reconstruction, applied physics for traffic investigators, kinematics, crash data retrieval, human factors, 3D laser scanning, damage profile analysis, and occupant kinematics, among many other disciplines.

• Recognition & Leadership

During his tenure with the New York State Police, Robert served as Unit Coordinator for the Troop “C” Collision Reconstruction Unit for a decade (2006–2016) and held the role of Investigator in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Over the course of his law enforcement career — which began with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department in 1994 and continued through his retirement from the NYSP in 2017 — he investigated thousands of traffic collision cases and earned advanced certifications in polygraph examination, drug recognition evaluation (DRE), crash data retrieval systems analysis, electronic total station operation, and Leica laser scanning at both the Technician and Analyst levels.

• Professional Involvement

Robert is an active participant in the accident reconstruction community. He is a current member of the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) and the National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists (NAPARS). He previously held membership in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE, 2020–2025) and the New York Statewide Traffic Accident Reconstruction Society (NYSTARS, 2009–2018). Robert has also contributed to the field as an educator and thought leader, serving as an instructor for collision investigation, electronic total work station certification, prism pole operation, and hybrid/electric vehicle safety courses, and presenting at NYSP in-service training programs from 2010 to 2017. He has delivered lectures at SUNY Binghamton on collision reconstruction and spoken at the New York State Department of Transportation Safety Seminar.

• Experience

Robert brings a career that bridges frontline law enforcement investigation and private-sector forensic consulting. After more than two decades with the New York State Police and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, he founded 360 Accident Investigations, LLC in 2018 and joined Evidence Solutions, Inc. in 2022 as an Accident Reconstruction Expert. His practice focuses on commercial and private vehicle accident reconstruction, scene analysis, forensic mapping, crash data retrieval, and expert witness services. He has testified numerous times as a qualified expert in accident reconstruction, crime scene mapping, and crash data retrieval across state, county, and municipal courts in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey — representing both plaintiffs and defendants in civil litigation and criminal proceedings alike. Robert has also peer-reviewed numerous investigative reports in cases spanning both criminal matters and civil disputes throughout New York State.

Gabriel Alexander, Engineer | US Forensic, LLC

Gabriel Alexander, P.E., ACTAR, is a seasoned forensic engineering consultant and nationally certified accident reconstructionist with more than 45 years of experience in vehicle engineering, failure analysis, and accident reconstruction. Known for his technical rigor and multidisciplinary expertise, Mr. Alexander brings a rare combination of hands-on design engineering background and deep forensic investigative experience to every engagement. He currently serves as a forensic consultant with U.S. Forensic, one of the nation’s leading forensic engineering firms.

• Education & Credentials

Mr. Alexander earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston and completed post-graduate coursework at the University of South Carolina. He is a registered Professional Engineer licensed in 48 states, reflecting the national scope of his practice. Mr. Alexander holds ACTAR certification from the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction, the premier national credential in the field, and is certified through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). He also completed training at the U.S. Army Military Police Academy and holds proficiency in SolidWorks computer-aided design and drafting.

• Recognition & Leadership

Mr. Alexander has been awarded seven United States Patents, spanning innovations in tools and marine drilling components — a testament to his inventive engineering acumen. His career reflects a consistent record of technical leadership, having coordinated cross-functional teams of structural, mechanical, electrical, and engineering personnel to deliver complex design concepts, construction drawings, and specifications across a wide range of industries. He has been recognized for his contributions to projects in both the United States and Canada.

• Professional Involvement

Mr. Alexander is an active member of several leading professional organizations, including the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Society of Metals (ASM), and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). His involvement in these organizations underscores his commitment to advancing engineering standards and staying at the forefront of developments across multiple disciplines.

• Experience
  

Mr. Alexander’s career spans the full breadth of mechanical and structural engineering. He began his professional journey in the design of ornamental iron, railings, and structural steel, and over the decades has held positions in engineering, project management, and engineering management. His design portfolio includes offshore oilfield drilling equipment, composite material research, air-conditioning systems, heavy vehicles for on- and off-road applications, truck body and trailer engineering, and mechanical and hand tools. As a forensic consultant, Mr. Alexander has performed and supervised numerous investigations encompassing failure analysis, damage repairs, condition surveys, and damage inspections of vehicles, commercial vehicles, industrial processes, marine structures, and facility components. His forensic services extend to accident reconstruction, crash data recorder analysis, trucking accident reconstruction, automotive evaluations, product liability evaluations, HVAC evaluations, flood and storm damage assessments, structural evaluations, and marine evaluations. He has managed projects from initial client engagement through the completion of litigation, providing expert analysis and testimony across a broad spectrum of civil and insurance matters. His technical specialties include dynamic and failure analysis of components and systems, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), finite element analysis, manufacturing and assembly line engineering, quality control and assurance, welding and fastening, and testing of mechanical systems, components, and materials including wood, steel, and composites.

SESSION 1 – Acting Fast: Intake, Investigation, and Reconstruction in Car & Truck Crash Cases | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Catastrophic car and truck crash cases are won or lost in the first 30 days. This session equips attorneys with the investigation, evidence preservation, liability expansion, and insurance recovery strategies needed to take control immediately.

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

SESSION 2 – Crash to Courtroom: Accident Reconstruction and Investigation Mechanics | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

This session covers accident reconstruction methodology, from scene investigation and crash data retrieval to evidence preservation and the critical mechanics of gathering information, locating contacts, and building a complete crash investigation from the ground up.