Robert Morales

Senior Managing Accident Reconstructionist

Biography

Mr. Morales joined the YA Engineering Services team in 2023. He has worked in the automotive service and repair field since 1995. Since joining the company, he has been able to effectively apply his knowledge and experience to the field of accident reconstruction, utilizing engineering protocols developed by senior engineers. He has focused his research on computer simulations, accident reconstruction animation, and analytical theories applied to the dynamic response of a vehicle during a collision. Mr. Morales is trained in 3D scanning technology using FARO 3D scanners, as well as sophisticated software programs to process the scanner data. Mr. Morales has conducted vehicle inspections, site inspections, advanced computer simulations, test data acquisition, computer scripting, and software programming.

Mr. Morales earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering from California State University, Los Angeles, in 2014. He has previously worked in the area of automotive manufacturing with an emphasis on body, chassis, mechanical, and electrical systems. He has also worked with trailer manufacturers and construction equipment design, developing brake-line systems for small trailers, power generator enclosures, trailer frames, power generator electrical distributions, and air compressors.

Credentials

  • SAE – Accident Reconstruction Certificate Program, 2020
  • CDR – Technician (Crash Data Group), 2017
  • LEVA – Certified Forensic Video Technician

Professional Experience

  • 2023 - Current | Senior Forensic Engineer | YA Engineering Services
  • 2015 - 2023 | Senior Forensic Engineer | Momentum Engineering Corp.
  • 2011 - 2015 | Senior Lead Engineer | MMD Equipment Inc.
  • 2005 - 2011 | Production Manager | Ford Collision Center
  • 1995 - 2005 | Operations Assistant Manager | Toyota of El Salvador

Area of Practice

  • Accident Reconstruction
  • Heavy Trucking

Publications and Presentations

  • 2021 - Morales, R., Gamboa, J., Nguyen, B., Siddiqui, O. et al., “Accuracy and Validation of Geotab GPS Fleet Tracking Devices” , SAE Technical Paper

Education

  • California State University - Master of Science - Mechanical Engineering - Los Angeles - California
  • California State University - Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering - Los Angeles - California
  • California State University - Bachelor of Science - Manufacturing Engineering - Los Angeles - California
  • Technological University - Bachelor of Science - Software and Computer Engineering - San Salvador, El Salvador
  • SATAI Conference and Crash Tests - Multi-year
  • ARC Accident Reconstruction Conference - Multi-year
  • LEVA Level 2: Forensic Video Analysis & The Law - May 2021
  • LEVA Level 1: Forensic Video Analysis & The Law - February 2021
  • iNPUT ACE, Online Video Evidence Training Symposium - June 2020
  • HVE SIMON 3D Collision Model - March 2020
  • SAE, Commercial Vehicle Braking Systems - October 2019
  • HVE DyMESH 3D Collision Model - March 2019
  • Advanced HVE 2D and 3D Simulations - March 2019
  • SAE, Applied Vehicle Dynamics - December 2018
  • Controller Area Network (CAN) for Vehicle Applications - November 2018
  • Creative Photo Academy Photography Boot Camp - July-August 2018
  • Tesla EDR Training - June 2018
  • Accessing and Interpreting Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorders - May 2018
  • Vehicle Crash Reconstruction: Principles and Technology - April 2018
  • PCC Crash Workshop - February 2018
  • HVE Crush Analysis and Simulation Fundamentals - January 2018
  • Photogrammetry and Analysis of Digital Media - December 2017
  • Applying Automotive EDR Data to Traffic Crash Reconstruction - December 2017
  • Improving Scene Diagrams and Animations with FARO® Zone 3D - June 2017
  • Tire and Wheel Safety Issues - July 2017
  • CDR Technician Certification Course - September 2015