The analyst specializing in Event Data Recorders (EDR) at Solved Investigations assesses data from vehicles engaged in collisions. Although regrettable, vehicle collisions are inevitable occurrences on roads worldwide, underlining the importance of investigating and analyzing accidents to enhance driver safety and ascertain the causes of collisions.

What is an Event Data Recorder?
An Event Data Recorder (EDR) records data before, during, and after significant events involving motor vehicles. For instance, it captures data from a car involved in a crash to assist investigators in reconstructing the incident. Typically, an EDR comprises a network of sensors placed throughout the vehicle, monitoring various functions such as:

• Changes in Speed before Collision
• Braking
• Engine Throttle
• Seat Belt Status
• Air Bag Status
• Number of Crash Events
• Time Elapsed between Crash Events
• Vehicle Roll Angle
• Steering Input
• Driver & Passenger Seat Position
• Analyze Traffic Collision Data

Event data recorders (EDRs) are designed to be tamper-proof, demanding a complex process for data extraction that involves specialized crash data retrieval software. After extraction, experts analyze the data along with other pertinent evidence such as photographs, witness statements, and police reports to reconstruct the accident with precision. This gathered information offers insights into the vehicle’s condition before, during, and after the accident, enabling certified EDR analysts to determine liability accurately.

Given the broad usage of the term “EDR,” it’s crucial to provide a specific definition for the context of this research site. Here, an EDR refers to a device installed in a motor vehicle to record technical vehicle and occupant information for a short duration (typically seconds) before, during, and after a crash. This includes recording pre-crash vehicle dynamics, driver inputs, vehicle crash signature, restraint usage, and post-crash data like activation of automatic collision notification systems. It’s important to note that this definition excludes devices recording audio or video or logging data such as hours of service. EDRs specifically capture information related to a highway vehicle crash.

EDRs vary in design, complexity, and functionality, with the potential to significantly impact highway safety by aiding in real-world data collection, refining auto safety initiatives, assisting law enforcement, and enhancing understanding of crash specifics.

In 1997, 1998, and 2000 the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued recommendations to “pursue crash information gathering using EDRs.” NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in April of the same year recommended that NHTSA “study the feasibility of installing and obtaining crash data for safety analyses from crash recorders on vehicles.”

NHTSA has been using EDRs to support its crash investigation program for several years. EDR data is routinely incorporated into NHTSA’s crash databases.

People interested in additional information about EDRs can examine section 12 of the final report, which lists the bibliography and references.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/06/22/2022-12860/event-data-recorders

Passenger Vehicles

Solved Investigations possesses the necessary resources to provide prompt and affordable solutions, including cutting-edge technology within our field, certified and skilled EDR Technicians available for travel throughout the United States, and a competent team ready to interpret the retrieved data to assist in comprehending your accident, loss, or claim.

Not all data recovery firms are created equal.
While numerous companies assert to possess the most advanced technology, only a handful can match the technology owned by Solved Investigations. We consistently update our equipment and software to ensure the utilization of the latest data translations during information retrieval. Our tools encompass all commonly supported Bosch vehicles and extend to specialized ones, including Kia, Hyundai, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Tesla. Additionally, we employ proprietary retrieval and imaging techniques to capture valuable accident data that others may struggle to obtain. You can rest assured that our technicians will arrive at the job fully equipped, eliminating concerns about having the necessary tools. If the vehicle has commercially available data, we guarantee its retrieval.

All technicians at Solved Investigations have completed the latest download certifications and are also mobile. They provide coverage for EDR imaging and basic photo documentation across the entire United States and beyond, with our coverage expanding daily. Our technicians are highly knowledgeable, determined, and committed to completing the job effectively.

The data obtained from your vehicle’s “black box” is essential for case evaluation and claims investigation. We can retrieve information such as:

• How fast the vehicle was traveling in the seconds leading to impact.
• If the driver was actively accelerating into a collision or reducing throttle.
• How hard the driver braked, if at all in reaction to the events around them.
• If the driver made any avoidance attempt to steer left or right before impact.
• Were seat belts in use at the time of accident.
• Severity of impact (delta-v).
• If the vehicle was moving or stopped before impact.
• The order of impacts, who hit who first.
• If the EDR data matches the statements of those involved.