When properly analyzed, EDR data can be useful in addressing numerous questions or issues relative to the investigation and evaluation of a case or claim such as:

• Was the driver speeding?
• Was the driver wearing a seat belt?
• What was the required stopping distance at the recorded speeds?
• What was the actual stopping distance?
• Did braking occur early or late in the accident sequence?
• Were there multiple braking events?
• How hard were the brakes applied?
• When should braking have started?
• How severe was the impact?
• What was the velocity (low, moderate, high) of the impact?
• Is the impact severity consistent with the reported injuries?
• What were the occupant kinematics generated from the collision?
• Are the occupant kinematics consistent with the reported injuries?
• Was the vehicle being operated at the time of the collision?
• Were there multiple frontal collisions?
• What was the sequence of collisions in a multi-car collision?
• Did the driver take proper avoidance measures?
• Is the driver’s testimony regarding how the collision occurred, consistent with the actual operation of the vehicle?
• Are the occupant and/or witness’ testimonies regarding how the collision occurred, consistent with the actual operation of the vehicle?

The benefits of quickly and objectively addressing these types of questions are self evident. EDR Information can assist in determining negligence issues, including comparative and contributory negligence so that case assessment can be quickly analyzed. Even when the data is not favorable to your side, knowing that early will enhance the accurate assessment of the value of the claim or case so that settlement can be reached early and efficiently, without significant investigative and legal costs. Because the data is available at a reasonable cost, it no longer needs to be relegated to serious accidents, but can not be used on more modest claims or cases.

However, while EDR data can be tremendously helpful in determining how a collision occurred, consistent proper analysis of EDR data is required due to some limitations in the data. For example, recorded speed data can be misleading to the untrained eye if traction is lost during the collision sequence or if the wheel diameter of the vehicle has been altered. Because of these and other limitations, cost effective, web-based EDR audit and analysis techniques such as those available through EDR AccessTM are necessary to identify and correct the effects of these limitations. When coupled with the application of other accident reconstruction techniques, EDR data offers remarkable insight into collision dynamics and severity that would otherwise not be available.