YA Group Acquires Houston-Based Carr Engineering

The acquisition bolsters YA Group’s forensic capabilities, specifically within biomechanics and vehicle dynamics. Carr Engineering brings a high-tech laboratory to the firm, including one of the private sector’s two HYGE crash simulators. This equipment allows the team to physically recreate collision events and evaluate complex restraint systems, providing evidence-based analysis for high-stakes insurance and legal matters. Beyond hardware, Carr contributes deep technical proficiency in analyzing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), airbag control, and electronic stability mechanisms.

Richard A. Dethlefs, President of Engineering Services at YA Group, noted that the merger creates one of the most technically advanced accident reconstruction practices in the country. The Houston office is slated to serve as a flagship location for the firm’s expanded practice. James Walker, Jr., who led Carr for decades, will remain in a leadership capacity, serving as co-leader of the Accident Reconstruction division alongside YA Group’s Wade Wilson. This integration allows the combined entity to offer a broader geographic reach while maintaining the specialized, data-driven methodology that defined both firms.