Accident Event Analysis (EDR/CDR) for Motor-Vehicle Claims and Litigation
Objective Vehicle Data for Claims, Investigations, and Litigation
Accident event analysis is the evaluation of recorded vehicle information associated with a qualifying crash event or series of recorded events. Depending on the supported vehicle, the available Event Data Recorder (EDR) information may include pre-crash vehicle operation, crash-event timing, delta-V, restraint status, deployment activity, and other manufacturer-specific parameters.
Crenshaw Investigations provides EDR/CDR retrieval, vehicle inspection, photographic documentation, accident event analysis, and written reporting for motor-vehicle claims, investigations, and litigation throughout California.
A meaningful event analysis considers which event record corresponds with the collision under review, how the recorded values are defined, what timing intervals apply, and what limitations are associated with the vehicle and module. The recorded event should then be evaluated together with photographs, damage, statements, police reports, and other available evidence.
Have an active motor-vehicle matter, or want a practical overview of EDR evidence?
What Is Accident Event Analysis?
Accident event analysis involves identifying and evaluating the specific EDR event record or records associated with a collision. Some vehicles may preserve a single event, while others may contain multiple records with different event status, timing, pre-crash values, and crash-pulse information.
The analysis may address whether an event is locked or non-locked, the sequence and timing of multiple impacts, pre-crash speed and driver inputs, restraint and deployment information, longitudinal or lateral delta-V, and other recorded parameters supported by the vehicle.
Event analysis also requires attention to manufacturer-specific definitions, sign conventions, recording intervals, event qualification criteria, threshold requirements, and the relationship between the recorded event and the physical collision being investigated.
The purpose is to explain what the available event record shows—and what it does not establish—within the scope of the assignment.
Accident Event Analysis / EDR Services
Depending on the vehicle, assignment, and requested scope of work, event-analysis services may include:
- Review of EDR/CDR native files and manufacturer-generated reports
- Identification of recorded event status and event sequence
- Evaluation of pre-crash speed, braking, accelerator input, and steering information
- Review of longitudinal and lateral delta-V, where recorded
- Evaluation of restraint status, pretensioner activity, and airbag deployment information
- Comparison of multiple recorded event records when present
- Identification of manufacturer-specific timing, sign-convention, and recording limitations
- Written event-analysis reporting
- Technical consultation regarding recorded event findings and limitations
What Event Data May Be Analyzed?
The information available varies by vehicle make, model, model year, installed systems, event type, and recording parameters. Depending on the supported vehicle and recorded event, available information may include:
- Pre-crash vehicle speed
- Service-brake status and brake-pressure information, where recorded
- Accelerator-pedal or throttle input
- Engine or electric-motor speed
- Steering input
- Stability-control and ABS activity
- Longitudinal and lateral delta-V
- Crash-pulse timing and event sequence
- Driver and passenger restraint status
- Airbag and pretensioner deployment commands
- Event status, event timing, and multiple-event information
- Ignition-cycle, odometer-at-event, and diagnostic information, where recorded
- Other manufacturer-specific vehicle and crash information
How Accident Event Analysis Assists
Attorneys and Law Firms
Accident event analysis may assist attorneys in evaluating disputed event timing, vehicle speed, braking, accelerator input, steering, restraint use, crash severity, and the sequence of multiple impacts. Recorded event information may be compared with statements, photographs, police reports, damage, and other evidence.
Insurance Companies and Claims Professionals
Claims professionals, SIUs, corporate risk departments, and authorized business clients may use event analysis to evaluate consistency, exposure, crash severity, sequence of impacts, and technical questions that may require further investigation or coordination with counsel.
Individuals and Vehicle Owners
Vehicle owners may seek event analysis to better understand which recorded event corresponds with the collision and what the available data shows concerning vehicle operation, restraints, deployment activity, delta-V, and event timing.
How Accident Event Analysis Can Assist a Case
When a vehicle contains one or more EDR event records, careful event analysis can help identify which data corresponds with the collision and how the recorded sequence relates to the other evidence.
Distinguishing Multiple Recorded Events
A vehicle may contain more than one event record, particularly in a multi-impact collision or where another qualifying event occurred before or after the loss under review.
Event status, timing, pre-crash values, and delta-V information may assist in determining which record most reasonably corresponds with the collision being investigated.
Evaluating Crash-Event Timing and Severity
Recorded timing and delta-V information may provide technical context concerning the onset, duration, and severity of a qualifying event.
Those values can be evaluated with vehicle damage, photographs, occupant information, and other evidence without treating the EDR as an independent determination of causation or injury.
Comparing Pre-Crash Inputs With the Recorded Event
Available pre-crash parameters may show speed, braking, accelerator input, steering, or stability-control activity leading into the recorded event.
Comparing those values with the event record and other evidence may assist in evaluating the reported sequence of vehicle actions immediately before impact.
Accident Event Analysis Frequently Asked Questions
What is accident event analysis?
Can a vehicle record more than one crash event?
How do you determine which recorded event matches the collision?
What is delta-V in an EDR event?
Can accident event analysis determine fault?
Does every collision create an analyzable event record?
Why Choose Crenshaw Investigations?
Crenshaw Investigations combines licensed investigative experience with Certified EDR/CDR Technician & Data Analyst credentials, specialized retrieval systems, forensic vehicle documentation, and clear written reporting.
Flexible Retrieval Capability
Assignments may involve standard diagnostic-connector retrieval or supported direct-to-module access when vehicle condition requires alternative access.
Assignment-Focused Deliverables
Depending on the agreed scope, deliverables may include inspection photography, available native data files, manufacturer-generated reports, written retrieval and analysis reports, and technical consultation.
Impartial Evidence Evaluation
Available EDR information is evaluated in consideration of the surrounding evidence rather than to support a predetermined outcome. Crenshaw Investigations serves attorneys, law firms, insurance companies, businesses, individuals, and vehicle owners throughout California.
Submit an EDR Matter for Review
To request preliminary review of a potential EDR/CDR assignment, download and complete our fillable EDR Case Submission Form. Then return to this section and upload the completed form with any available non-sensitive vehicle photographs or appropriate supporting vehicle-related documents.
We will review the available vehicle, location, access, timing, and assignment information and respond by email regarding likely vehicle support, retrieval feasibility, requested scope, estimated fees, authorization requirements, and appropriate next steps.
Upload Your Completed Submission
Enter your contact information below and upload the saved EDR Case Submission Form. Supporting photographs or appropriate vehicle-related documents may also be included.
Submission does not create an investigative, consulting, or expert engagement, confirm acceptance of the assignment, or authorize work. An assignment is accepted only after availability, scope, estimated fees, authorization, and terms are confirmed in writing. Do not upload medical records, Social Security numbers, financial records, or other highly sensitive or privileged materials through this form.
Learn More About EDR Evidence
Understanding Event Data Recorder (EDR) Evidence
A Practical Guide for Motor-Vehicle Claims, Investigations, and Litigation
Download our complimentary educational guide to learn what Event Data Recorder evidence is, what recorded vehicle information may be available, how the data is retrieved and preserved, and when it may assist with motor-vehicle claims, investigations, and litigation.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What EDR evidence is—and what it cannot determine by itself
- How recorded crash data is retrieved, preserved, and evaluated
- What vehicle, driver-input, restraint, and event information may be available
- How EDR evidence may assist claims evaluation, investigations, discovery, litigation, and settlement strategy
Crenshaw Investigations offers professional investigations and services in the following areas of Los Angeles County:
Acton, Agoura, Agoura Hills, Agua Dulce, Alhambra, Alondra Park, Altadena, Antelope Valley, Arcadia, Arleta, Artesia, Athens, Atwater Village, Avalon, Avocado Heights, Azusa, Baldwin Hills, Baldwin Park, Bel Air, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Beverly Crest, Beverly Grove, Beverly Hills, Beverlywood, Boyle Heights, Bradbury, Brentwood, Burbank, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Canyon Country, Carson, Castaic, Century City, Cerritos, Charter Oak, Chatsworth, Cheviot Hills, Chinatown, Citrus, Claremont, Commerce, Compton, Covina, Crescenta Valley, Cudahy, Culver City, Cypress Park, Del Aire, Del Rey, Diamond Bar, Downey, Downtown, Duarte, Eagle Rock, East Hollywood, East Los Angeles, East Pasadena, East Rancho Dominguez, East San Gabriel, East Whittier, Echo Park, El Monte, El Segundo, El Sereno, Encino, Exposition Park, Fairfax, Florence-Firestone, Florence-Graham, Franklin Canyon, Gardena, Glassell Park, Glendale, Glendora, Granada Hills, Hancock Park, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Hacienda Heights, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Highland Park, Hollywood, Hollywood Heights, Hollywood Hills, Huntington Park, Hyde Park, Industry, Inglewood, Irwindale, Jefferson Park, Koreatown, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Puente, La Verne, Ladera Heights, Lake Balboa, Lake Los Angeles, Lakeview Terrace, Lakewood, Lancaster, Lawndale, Leimert Park, Lennox, Leona Valley, Lincoln Heights, Littlerock, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Los Feliz, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Mar Vista, Marina del Rey, Mayflower Village, Maywood, Mid-City, Mid-Wilshire, Mission Hills, Monrovia, Montebello, Montecito Heights, Monterey Park, Montrose, Mount Olympus, Mount Washington, Newhall, North El Monte, North Hills, North Hollywood, Northridge, Norwalk, Pacific Palisades, Pacoima, Palmdale, Palms, Palos Verdes Estates, Panorama City, Paramount, Pasadena, Picfair Village, Pico Rivera, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Pomona, Pomona Valley, Porter Ranch, Quartz Hill, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rancho Park, Redondo Beach, Reseda, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, Rowland Heights, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel, San Gabriel Valley, San Marino, San Pasqual, San Pedro, Santa Clarita, Santa Clarita Valley, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, Saugus, Sawtelle, Shadow Hills, Sherman Oaks, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, Silver Lake, South El Monte, South Gate, South Los Angeles, South Pasadena, South San Gabriel, South San Jose Hills, South Whittier, Spaulding Square, Stevenson Ranch, Studio City, Sun Valley, Sunland, Sylmar, Tarzana, Temple City, Terminal Island, Topanga, Topanga Canyon, Torrance, Toluca Lake, Tujunga, University Park, Val Verde, Valencia, Valinda, Valley Glen, Valley Village, Van Nuys, Venice, Vernon, View Park-Windsor Hills, Vincent, Walnut, Walnut Park, Watts, West Adams, West Athens, West Carson, West Covina, West Hills, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles, West Puente Valley, West Rancho Dominguez, West Whittier-Los Nietos, Westchester, Westlake, Westlake Village, Westmont, Westwood, Whittier, Wilmington, Windsor Square, Winnetka, Woodland Hills, Willowbrook.
Crenshaw Investigations offers professional investigations and services in the following areas of Ventura County:
Bell Canyon, Camarillo, Casa Conejo, Channel Islands Beach, El Rio, Fillmore, Lake Sherwood, Meiners Oaks, Mira Monte, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Oak View, Ojai, Oxnard, Piru, Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, San Buenaventura, Santa Paula, Saticoy, Simi Valley, Somis, Thousand Oaks, Ventura.
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