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Transportation Expert Witnesses

Carriers, freight brokers, and shippers face litigation whenever a commercial transportation arrangement breaks down over cargo loss or damage, contractual liability, or regulatory compliance. These disputes commonly involve cargo claims between shippers and carriers over damaged or lost freight, disputes between brokers and carriers over the terms and performance of transportation contracts, and regulatory compliance matters concerning federal motor carrier safety and operating requirements. Because liability in transportation disputes often depends on which party controlled the cargo or vehicle at a given point in the shipping process, the central issue in these cases is typically which party bore contractual and regulatory responsibility when the loss or failure occurred. Resolving that question requires a detailed understanding of transportation contracts, industry practice, and the regulatory framework governing carriers and brokers.

A transportation expert reviews bills of lading, transportation contracts, and carrier operating records to determine which party bore responsibility for cargo handling, routing, or delivery at the time a loss or failure occurred. That analysis often clarifies whether a carrier, broker, or shipper met industry standards and contractual obligations, which is central to allocating liability in cargo and contract disputes. In regulatory matters, the expert’s familiarity with federal motor carrier safety and operating requirements helps counsel evaluate compliance exposure. This same expertise supports damages calculations by quantifying cargo losses and the costs associated with transportation service failures.

Because transportation disputes require detailed knowledge of carrier operations, brokerage practices, and the regulatory framework governing the industry, selecting an expert with direct logistics or carrier management experience is essential. The experts we can provide include transportation engineers, logistics executives, and carrier and brokerage operations specialists with backgrounds spanning trucking, rail, and intermodal transportation. Round Table Group has completed more than 75,000 expert searches for litigators, and we apply that experience to match counsel with transportation experts whose specific operational background fits the case. Let us help you find the right transportation expert for your case by calling us at (202) 908-4500.

Kinds of Cases We Work On

Round Table Group helps our clients find a wide variety of Transportation expert witnesses for cases like:

01

Carmack Liability Limitation Dispute

A shipper of high-value electronics sued a motor carrier after a full truckload was destroyed in transit, and the carrier invoked a liability limitation buried in its standard bill of lading that would have capped recovery at a small fraction of the cargo's actual value. We identified experts with experience in Carmack Amendment liability standards, bill of lading interpretation, and motor carrier cargo claims practices. The expert's review of the shipping documents found the carrier had never given the shipper the required opportunity to select full-value coverage, defeating the limitation and anchoring the shipper's damages claim.
02

Double Brokering Fraud

A freight brokerage sued a carrier it had contracted with after discovering the carrier had re-brokered a series of high-value loads to an unvetted third party without authorization, resulting in several shipments going missing entirely. We identified experts with experience in freight brokerage industry practices, motor carrier authority verification, and double brokering fraud schemes. The expert's review of the load tracking and carrier authority records established a pattern consistent with a known double brokering scheme, anchoring the brokerage's fraud claim and driving a settlement.
03

Detention Charge Dispute

A trucking company sued a national retail distribution operation for nonpayment of detention charges after drivers were routinely held at the receiver's dock for several hours beyond the contracted free time across hundreds of loads over a year. We identified experts with experience in motor carrier detention and dwell time practices, transportation contract accessorial charge standards, and driver hours-of-service impact analysis. The expert's analysis of dock check-in and check-out logs confirmed the pattern of excessive dwell time, anchoring the carrier's damages claim in mediation.
04

TMS Routing Software Dispute

A third-party logistics provider sued the vendor of its transportation management system after a routing algorithm defect systematically assigned shipments to costlier carrier lanes for several months, inflating freight spend for its shipper clients well beyond budgeted levels. We identified experts with experience in transportation management system design, freight routing optimization methodology, and logistics technology quality assurance. The expert's analysis of the routing logs confirmed the defect and quantified the resulting cost overrun, anchoring the 3PL's breach of contract claim against the vendor.
05

Fuel Surcharge Calculation Dispute

A shipper sued its contracted carrier under a multi-year master transportation agreement after an internal audit found the carrier had applied a fuel surcharge index different from the one specified in the agreement, overcharging the shipper across thousands of shipments. We identified experts with experience in transportation fuel surcharge methodology, master transportation agreement compliance, and freight billing audit practices. The expert's recalculation using the contracted index confirmed a substantial overcharge, anchoring the shipper's recoupment claim.
06

Chassis Availability Dispute

A marine terminal operator sued the chassis leasing pool it contracted with after chronic equipment shortages left import containers stranded at the terminal for extended periods, causing the operator to absorb demurrage penalties passed down from ocean carriers. We identified experts with experience in intermodal chassis pool management, port equipment availability standards, and drayage operations logistics. The expert's review of the pool's fleet utilization data found availability had fallen well below the contracted service commitment during the relevant period, anchoring the terminal operator's damages claim.
07

Cargo Theft Vetting Dispute

A shipper sued its third-party logistics provider after a load of consumer electronics was stolen through a fictitious pickup scheme, alleging the 3PL had failed to follow its own carrier vetting protocols before assigning the load to an unverified motor carrier. We identified experts with experience in carrier vetting and authority verification standards, cargo theft prevention practices, and freight brokerage risk management. The expert's review of the 3PL's vetting file found several standard verification steps had been skipped, anchoring the shipper's negligence claim.
08

Private Fleet SLA Breach

A national retailer sued the dedicated fleet logistics provider it had outsourced its delivery operations to, alleging on-time delivery rates and vehicle safety inspection compliance had fallen well short of the service levels guaranteed in their outsourcing agreement. We identified experts with experience in dedicated fleet operations, transportation service level agreement compliance, and motor carrier safety inspection standards. The expert's audit of delivery performance and inspection records confirmed the shortfalls across both metrics, anchoring the retailer's damages claim.
09

Safety Score Insurance Cancellation

A regional motor carrier sued its insurance broker after a commercial auto policy was abruptly cancelled based on a spike in the carrier's federal safety scores, alleging the broker had failed to timely report a successful data correction that would have reversed the scoring issue. We identified experts with experience in FMCSA safety measurement system methodology, carrier safety score dispute and correction procedures, and commercial trucking insurance underwriting practices. The expert's review of the correction timeline confirmed the data fix had been submitted well before the cancellation, supporting the carrier's claim against the broker.
10

Ocean Cargo Liability Dispute

An importer sued its freight forwarder after a container of goods was damaged during ocean transit, and the forwarder sought to limit its liability under the per-package limitation available under governing maritime cargo liability law. We identified experts with experience in freight forwarding liability standards, ocean cargo claims handling, and maritime bill of lading interpretation. The expert's review of the forwarder's documentation found it had failed to properly disclose the applicable package limitation to the importer as required, defeating the limitation defense and anchoring the importer's recovery.

Here are a few of our favorite Transportation Expert Witnesses:

Wisconsin Automotive and Power Train Expert #54128

I have 30 years of experience, and specialize in the field of automotive, transportation, electrical machines, electromagnetic and electro-mechanical systems with specific knowledge in the areas of power trains, electric, or hybrid, as well as more, generally electrical machines and systems. I have published on such topics as electromagnetic actuators, valve systems, electrical machines and generators, power steering, brakes, automotive sensors, fault tolerance. This resulted in 48 patents,, as well as 20 papers in refereed journals (earning me 10 best paper awards from IEEE and SAE). I am an IEEE Fellow (1997), as well as several awards from IEEE an…

 

Marine, Transportation, Claims Expert #999

I have 30 years of experience in most areas of the insurance field, with specific knowledge of property and casualty, marine and transportation insurance, and insurance bad faith. I have published on such topics as insurance and mediation. I have testified on marine and transportation insurance, bad faith, and fire insurance.

 

Texas Transportation Expert #5041

I have 16 years of experience, and specialize in the field of transportation engineering with specific knowledge in the areas of decision making, risk analyisis and behavioral modeling. I have published on such topics as decision making, performance measurement and traveler behavior.

 

Ohio Cranes, Transportation, Paving Expert #16645

I have 16 years of experience, and specialize in the field of appraisals with specific knowledge in the areas of construction equipment, cranes and transportation. I have published on such topics as crane values and construction equipment values.

 

Sustainability, Transportation Expert #18600

I have 26 years of experience in the field of civil engineering, with specific knowledge of road safety, sustainable development and transportation planning. I have published on such topics as sustainable road safety, sustainable transportation and collision prediction models. I have testified on transportation engineering and economics. I give several public speeches each year to public and professional organizations on technical and non-technical topics.

 

Your Case Deserves The Best Transportation Expert Witnesses

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The right expert witnesses and consulting experts can make your case. That’s why we have spent so many hours over the past quarter century making sure our clients have just the right expert team — whether one expert or many, early-stage advice or expert reports and testimony. Across over 50,000 expert search assignments, we have honed a unique, customized approach to identifying, analyzing and connecting with expert talent so you can focus on winning your case.

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Alabama Transportation, Design, Process Expert #24540

I have 22 years of experience in the field of civil engineering, with specific knowledge of transportation, geographical information system (GIS) mapping and sewer. I have published on such topics as sewer maintenance, asset management and transportation services.

 

South Carolina Transportation, Manufacturing Expert #27767

I have 20 years of experience, and specialize in the field of industrial engineering with specific knowledge in the areas of transportation, manufacturing and emergency evacuation. I have published on such topics as transportation, manufacturing and emergency evacuation.

 

Virginia Transportation, Environment Expert #28497

I have 38 years of experience and specialize in the field of economics, with specific knowledge of transportation economics, environmental economics and regional economic development. I have published on such topics as the plight of the airlines, public and private roles in maritime security and the politics of transportation forecasting.

 

Colorado Aviation, Transportation Expert #31267

I have 19 years of experience, and specialize in the field of aviation security with specific knowledge in the areas of airports, airlines and federal security regulations. I have published on such topics as airport security, employee screening and biometrics. I have testified on aviation employee background checks and aviation access control systems.

 

Nebraska Logistics, Transportation Expert #31558

I have 20 years of experience, and specialize in the field of supply chain management with specific knowledge in the areas of logistics, planning and program management.

 

Arkansas Transportation, Personal Injury Expert #36388

I have 13 years of experience and specialize in the field of law, with specific knowledge of transportation, personal injury, and military and veterans.

 

Texas Transportation Expert #38930

I have 15 years of experience in the field of transportation industry, with specific knowledge in the areas of rules and regulations, training, and management. I have testified on truck drivers responsibilities, federal motor carrier safety regulations.

 

Alabama Harvesting, Transportation Expert #39797

I have 25 years of experience, and specialize in the field of forest operations with specific knowledge in the areas of harvesting, transportation and procurement. I have published on such topics as reducing transportation costs, alternative forest residue uses and green inventory. I have testified on trucking accident, cost and production issues. I have been in both industry and academia, so I can relate to both aspects.

 

Pennsylvania Food, Logistics, Transportation Expert #42049

I have 40 years of experience, and specialize in the field of food supply chain with specific knowledge in the areas of supply chain, distribution and retail. I have published on such topics as supply chain issues, future issues in the food industry and impact of Walmart.

 

Connecticut Logistics, Transportation Expert #44972

I have 14 years of experience, and specialize in the field of third-party logistics with specific knowledge in the areas of warehousing, transportation and freight forwarding.

 

Florida Transportation, Land Use Expert #43134

I have 14 years of experience, and specialize in the field of engineering with specific knowledge in the areas of traffic operations, concurrency and environmental permitting. I have published on such topics as land use and transportation, transportation permitting and transportation safety. I have testified 12 times on topics such as traffic operations, land use and transportation and concurrency. I am one of only a few people in the country to obtain a doctorate degree in engineering (Ph.D), practice as a civil engineer (P.E.), and also practice as a certified land use planner (AICP).

 

Kentucky Transportation, Vehicle Safety Expert #45486

I have 34 years of experience, and specialize in the field of fleet management with specific knowledge in the area of negligent entrustment. I have published on such topics as vehicle safety and vehicle selection. I have testified 15 times on topics such as vehicle safety and negligent entrustment. I have worked exclusively in this one field for my entire professional life. I have assisted in several verdicts resulting in awards of upwards of 6 million dollars

 

Texas Transportation, Pricing Expert #46692

I have 30 years of experience, and specialize in the field of logistics and freight transportation with specific knowledge in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, marketing and strategy. I have published on such topics as market research and market trends. I have testified on unfair competition in parcel industry. I have had the opportunity to create and run new businesses and products on a global basis that made a significant difference in the landscape of multiple segments of the transportation, third party logistics and logistics industry.

 

Maryland Transportation, Logistics, Cost Expert #51862

I have 35 years of experience, and specialize in the field of technology with specific knowledge in the areas of supply chains, transportation and global sourcing. I advise five chief executive officers, each with very different businesses, and only three directly related to supply chains. I also spend a lot of time on an education company, and a pure technology company. I am able to do this by absorbing and processing information from all sources, and being able to rationalize them in a pragmatic way and apply them effectively for each client.

 

Put Our Transportation Expert Network to Work for You

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Our huge network of experts – eminent university professors and practitioners who have achieved renown as thought leaders in their fields – combined with unparalleled research capabilities puts the experts you need at your disposal when and where you need them.

If you’re a litigator or general counsel, we want to put this network to work for you and your clients. Let us know how we can help by calling us at (202) 908-4500 or filling out the form on this page. We’re so confident you’ll love what we do that unless you retain an expert we present there’s no charge!

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Questions Attorneys Ask About Transportation Expert Witnesses:

A transportation expert is typically needed when a cargo claim between a shipper and carrier, a contract dispute between a broker and carrier, or a regulatory compliance matter turns on which party bore responsibility for cargo handling or delivery. Counsel often retains the expert once bills of lading and transportation contracts are available so the analysis can inform liability strategy.
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