Consider a crash in which both parties claim the other was guilty. These controversies in the past usually reduced to opposing eyewitness accounts, partial police descriptions, or even conjecture. These days technology is providing more reliable insight.
Telematics and vehicle data are vital in car accident injury claims. They are designed to provide accurate information regarding the cause of a crash. This technology helps determine liability to settle disputes peacefully.
What Is Telematics and Vehicle Data?
Telematics is the technology that integrates telecommunications and informatics to and transmit vehicle data. Most vehicles today have an Event Data Recorder (EDR). Commonly known as the black box of the vehicle. It records data right before, at the impact and after an accident. These systems can document:
- Speed
- Acceleration
- Braking
- Steering angle
- GPS location
- Direction and force of impact
- Seat belt usage
There are two main categories of vehicle data. Continuous telematics systems, often used for insurance purposes, track how a vehicle is driven over time. Crash event recorders, on the other hand, activate during a collision to capture key details of that specific incident. Together, these sources provide valuable evidence that goes far beyond traditional witness accounts.
How Vehicle Data Is Changing Evidence in Claims
The rise of telematics has introduced a level of objectivity that was not possible before. Incidents can now be assessed using hard information on the speed of the vehicle, the nature of its braking, and whether the driver tried to swerve. Investigation is not solely reliant on witness statements. This evidence will eliminate any debate related to fault, speed, and sequence of events.
In some instances, inaccurate claims have been overruled by telematics data. In one case, telematics evidence demonstrated that the purported at-fault driver had been driving at a speed that was below the speed limit. It also established that the driver was braking prior to hitting the victim, which held against their original version of the story. In a different case, the facts showed inconsistencies in how the claimant described events. This resulted in exaggerated damages being thrown out.
Challenges and Limitations
While useful, telematics data has its challenges:
- Privacy and consent: Owner approval or a court order is necessary for collecting data.
- Incomplete data: Most vehicles lack a sophisticated EDR. Sometimes the records may also be lost or corrupted.
- Interpretation issues: Weather, road conditions, or other drivers are not interpreted.
- Risk of misuse: Data can be interpreted selectively to reduce liability.
What Claimants and Lawyers Should Do to Leverage Telematics Data
Individuals seeking a car accident injury claim should properly preserve and use telematics data. Early action is essential. Quickly send preservation letters so that the data is not lost or overwritten. Working with experts in accident reconstruction is equally important, as they can interpret and authenticate the data in court.
Claimants must also be aware of their rights to access information about the vehicle because the laws vary across states. Integrating evidence of telematics with conventional records like medical history, police reports, and eyewitnesses produces a more powerful, consistent argument. Partnering with a skilled personal injury lawyer or traffic attorney ensures that the data is used effectively.
Take Miami Gardens as an example. The city experiences a fair share of car accidents. Victims are often bruised, battered, or seriously injured. However, with a Miami Gardens car accident injury lawyer by their side, victims can seek justice.
Endnote
Telematics and vehicle data are powerful tools reshaping how car accident injury claims are handled. Injured individuals have to be proactive about saving and using this evidence. Working with attorneys who understand the role of telematics can greatly strengthen their claim.
