Services

Event Data Recorder Data

Retrieval and Analysis

The Event Data Recorder (EDR), sometimes referred to as Crash Data Recorder or as a “blackbox”, is actually a combination of various sensors in the vehicle including the air bag module, roll over sensors and (in Ford models) the power train module. These sensors or modules can collect data from collisions whether the air bags deploy or not.  Depending on the make and model of the vehicle this data may include the speed at the time of impact, speed during the seconds immediately prior to the impact, if seat belts were in use, if turn signals, brake lights, head lights were functioning and the time between brake application and impact.

PROTECT YOUR COMPANY AGAINST FRAUDULENT ACCIDENT INJURY LAWSUITS:

Recovering data from the EDR in your company’s vehicle following an accident can protect your company against fraudulent accident injury lawsuits and against wrongful termination lawsuits When your employees are involved in an automobile accident, even fender benders, your company may become liable for damages and personal injury claims that may present weeks or months after the accident in a lawsuit.  We have all seen advertisements by attorneys asking “Have you been in an accident involving a company vehicle?”.  Attorneys often assume companies have deep pockets and carry substantial insurance and therefore will often settle out of court when presented with a personal injury or accident claim.  Unfortunately, many of these claims and/or lawsuits are made weeks or even months after the accident and after any data recorded by the vehicle is lost.

AVOID WRONGFUL TERMINATION LAWSUITS:

 Additionally, the data can document and justify the termination of an employee should the data reflect, in violation of company policy, a speed exceeding the posted speed limit immediately prior to the accident thereby protecting your company from wrongful termination lawsuits.

EVENT DATA RECORDER DOWNLOADS:

Almost all modern vehicles record some data regarding the accident even if the air bags do not deploy which is referred to as a “non-deployment event”.  The data can be used to defend your company from fraudulent claims of excessive speed or faulty systems such as brake lights. The data remains in the vehicle for a relatively short time period following the event before being deleted or overwritten. Primary Investigations can, for a nominal fee, download the data from your company vehicle and provide you with a copy of the locked data file for your records along with an analysis report on the data collected.  The data file and report will allow your company and/or your attorney to make informed decisions regarding your company’s actual liability regarding the accident and the continued retention of the employee who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.