Case Studies
J.S. Held Acquires Shechter & Everett to Expand Forensic Accounting Capabilities for Family Law Disputes in Florida
Read MoreKia America was facing a wrongful death claim seeking $200 million in damages. The suit centered on an alleged product defect in one of the company’s most popular vehicles: specifically, the plaintiff’s counsel argued that a constant-velocity (CV) axle failed before impact, causing the vehicle to lose power and ultimately leading to the fatal crash.
This argument created a critical, twofold evidentiary problem:
The attorneys at Dykema, the law firm representing the defense, needed to transform complex forensic engineering into a clear, credible, and compelling story that could withstand both emotional weight and technical scrutiny.
Several experts from J.S. Held’s Accident Reconstruction team were retained by Dykema to bridge the gap between complexity and clarity.
We began by conducting a detailed accident reconstruction, analyzing vehicle dynamics, impact forces, and the timing of material failure. The central questions we addressed were when and how the axle fractured. Using a multidisciplinary approach, our experts determined that the fracture occurred during the crash due to a high-energy overload event, not before.
However, analysis alone was not enough, and the breakthrough came in how we communicated findings. Our Visualization team developed a multi-layered visualization strategy that combined:
These tools allowed jurors to see what would otherwise remain abstract. One pivotal moment demonstrated how the vehicle lifted several inches upon impact and was propelled forward, explaining the mechanical forces that caused the axle to fail during the collision rather than before.
Our testimony and visualizations worked in tandem with Dykema’s legal team strategy: simplifying without oversimplifying. By anchoring every visual to physical evidence and engineering principles, we reinforced credibility while maintaining accessibility.
The impact was decisive. The reconstruction and visualizations became central to the defense narrative, helping the jury clearly understand causation and reject the defect theory. After a five-week trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the defense after just one hour of deliberation. This outcome underscores the value of effective expert communication. The case was not won solely on technical correctness, but because the technical truth was made visible, intuitive, and believable.
> Visualization & Reconstruction Services
J.S. Held’s forensic visualization experts produce animations, graphics, interactive media, and virtual reality environments that transform complex concepts and situations into clear, accessible visuals.
> Accident Reconstruction
J.S. Held’s accident reconstruction experts deliver specialized expertise in forensic investigations, evidence collection and preservation, and scientific diagrams and animations.
For additional information about the engagement or to learn more about our services, contact:
