Category Archives: motorcycle consultant

Motorcycle consultant Dr. John Lloyd has served attorneys nationwide for 25+ years in biomechanics, human factors, helmet testing and motorcycle accident expert

Motorcycle Crash Expert

Motorcycles are considerably more complex to operate than cars, and riders are significantly more vulnerable to potentially devastating injuries. Motorcycle crashes may be caused by a number of factors, including rider error or inexperience, excessive speed, other driver distraction, carelessness or inattention, roadway or mechanical defects, and weather related hazards. For these reasons, a motorcycle crash expert is critically important in a motorcycle crash case.

Dr. Lloyd’s interest in motorcycling began at the age of 13, when he built his first motorcycle and learned to ride. Since that time he has amassed many years of technical expertise. In addition to holding a PhD in Ergonomics (Human Factors), with a specialization in Biomechanics, John holds several certifications in motorcycle accident reconstruction.

Based on his 38+ years of riding and advanced training as a motorcyclist, he is one of a few experts who have been admitted in court to testify regarding motorcycle handling and operation.

John Lloyd - motorcycle expert

Using his FAA part 109 pilot’s license, Dr. Lloyd can fly drones to generate 3D forensic maps of crash scenes for reconstruction purposes. Based on his PhD in human factors / ergonomics, John is qualified to address human factors issues including line of sight analysis, perception response time (PRT), distracted driving and impairment. Given his extensive experience as a senior researcher in biomechanics, with a specialization in head and brain injury biomechanics, including research and development of helmets, Dr. Lloyd is also uniquely qualified to opine on injury biomechanics and motorcycle helmet protection issues.

With combined expertise as a motorcyclist, accident reconstructionist, biomechanist, and human factors expert, Dr. Lloyd is often called upon to provide expert witness testimony in motorcycle accident cases. Such cases have included solo motorcycle accidents, motorcycle v auto accidents, motorcycle crashes due to roadway defects as well as accidents attributable to mechanical failure or maintenance.

Links to several of Dr. Lloyd’s articles pertaining to motorcycle accident reconstruction and biomechanical evaluation of motorcycle helmets are presented below:

Please call Dr. Lloyd at 813-624-8986 or email DrJohnLloyd@Tampabay.RR.com to discuss how he can be of help to you with your case.

Motorcycle Inspection and Testing

Crashes involving motorcycles are unique due to the manner in which they respond to different roadway hazards. Motorcycle inspection and testing may be a necessary component of a motorcycle crash analysis. Dr. John Lloyd has extensive expertise in motorcycle inspection and testing.

Exemplar motorcycles are typically rented and outfitted with instrumentation to measure acceleration, braking efficiency, lean angle, as well as GPS tracking and multiple GoPro cameras. Dr. Lloyd will ride through the crash scene on the instrumented motorcycle to document the rider’s view along with the motorcycle handling characteristics. A drone may also be used to capture an aerial view. This information has proven to be invaluable in the analysis of motorcycle crash cases.

motorcycle test - GoPro
GoPro camera view
motorcycle test - ESR data
lean angle data
motorcycle testing - drone view
Drone aerial view
motorcycle test - ESR data2
ESR data
motorcycle testing

One particular motorcycle crash case involved loss of control due to a pothole in the road. The motorcycle fell on the rider, resulting in near amputation of his right foot. A thorough description of Dr. Lloyd’s comprehensive motorcycle inspection and testing in that case can be found here.


Unfortunately, many motorists do not recognize motorcycles on the road, resulting in the number one cause of motorcycle crashes.

left turn across motorcycle

The image alongside depicts a near-collision in which a driver made a sudden and unexpected left turn across the path of a motorcycle that was being tested by Dr. Lloyd. Appropriate braking operation by the rider and braking performance by the motorcycle is required to avoid collision.

Motorcycle accident analysis often requires a teardown and careful inspection of the bike to investigate for possible contributing factors. Dr. Lloyd has decades of experience with motorcycle mechanics. A thorough evaluation includes inspection of tires, brakes, suspension setup, electrical components as well as any aftermarket parts. Inspections are best performed at Dr. Lloyd’s laboratory, but can also be conducted in the field.

The following image is from an inspection of the front brake system on a Suzuki GSXR, which was the subject of a manufacturer recall

motorcycle inspection expert
motorcycle light test

In a nighttime collision involving a scooter, it was claimed by the driver of a left turning vehicle that the scooter headlights were not operational. A thorough inspection of the electrical system was required by a motorcycle inspection expert:

Dr. Lloyd has also participated in motorcycle build-off competitions and won a trophy for his custom Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle.

Please call Dr. Lloyd at 813-624-8986 or email DrJohnLloyd@Tampabay.RR.com to discuss how he can be of help to you with your case.