Collision-damaged vehicle illustrating vehicle event analysis and EDR evidence

Vehicle Event Analysis for Motor-Vehicle Claims and Litigation

Vehicle Event Analysis for Claims, Investigations, and Litigation

Vehicle Event Analysis is the evaluation and interpretation of recorded vehicle information obtained from a supported Event Data Recorder or related electronic module after a qualifying crash event.

Crenshaw Investigations provides EDR/CDR retrieval, vehicle inspection, photographic documentation, Vehicle Event Analysis, and written reporting for motor-vehicle claims, investigations, and litigation throughout California.

A meaningful analysis identifies the applicable recorded event or events, evaluates event status and timing, applies vehicle-specific definitions and limitations, and compares the available information with photographs, damage, statements, police reports, repair records, and other evidence relevant to the assignment.

EDR technician reviewing vehicle data

Have an active motor-vehicle matter, or want a practical overview of EDR evidence?

What Is Vehicle Event Analysis?

Vehicle Event Analysis involves reviewing EDR/CDR native files and manufacturer-generated reports to identify the applicable recorded event or events and evaluate the recorded parameters within the definitions and limitations established for that vehicle.

The analysis may address event status, pre-crash timing, vehicle speed, braking, accelerator or throttle input, steering, restraint status, deployment commands, longitudinal or lateral delta-V, crash-pulse timing, ignition-cycle information, and other supported values.

When more than one event is stored, Vehicle Event Analysis may include comparing event timing, status, pre-crash information, delta-V, restraint activity, and other parameters to determine which record most reasonably corresponds with the collision under review.

The purpose is to explain what the available event information supports—and what it does not establish—within the agreed scope of the assignment.

Example table of recorded vehicle data and occupant restraint information

Vehicle Event Analysis / EDR Services

Depending on the vehicle, assignment, and requested scope of work, Vehicle Event Analysis services may include:

  • Review of EDR/CDR native files and manufacturer-generated reports
  • Identification and comparison of available recorded events
  • Evaluation of event status, timing, and event-locking information
  • Evaluation of speed, braking, accelerator, steering, restraint, and deployment information
  • Review of longitudinal and lateral delta-V, crash-pulse timing, and event sequence where recorded
  • Comparison of recorded event information with photographs, damage, statements, and other evidence
  • Identification of vehicle-specific recording limitations and data gaps
  • Written EDR/CDR analysis reporting and technical consultation

What Information May Be Reviewed in Vehicle Event Analysis?

The information available for Vehicle Event Analysis varies by vehicle make, model, model year, installed systems, event type, recording parameters, and module condition. 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 Vehicle Event Analysis Assists

Vehicle Event Analysis for Attorneys and Law Firms

Vehicle Event Analysis may assist attorneys in evaluating disputed speed, braking, accelerator input, steering, restraint use, crash severity, event timing, and the sequence of multiple impacts. Recorded event information may be compared with statements, photographs, police reports, damage, repair records, and other evidence.

Vehicle Event Analysis for Insurance and Claims Professionals

Claims professionals, SIUs, corporate risk departments, and authorized business clients may use EDR/CDR event analysis to evaluate consistency, exposure, crash severity, event sequence, and technical questions that may require further investigation or coordination with counsel.

Vehicle Event Analysis for Vehicle Owners

Vehicle owners may use recorded event analysis to better understand what the available EDR data shows concerning pre-crash operation, restraints, deployment activity, delta-V, event timing, and other supported parameters surrounding a qualifying collision.

How Vehicle Event Analysis Can Assist a Case

When collision accounts conflict, multiple impacts may have occurred, or the identity of a recorded event is uncertain, Vehicle Event Analysis can provide objective technical information for comparison with the other evidence in the matter.

Vehicle Event Analysis of Pre-Crash Operation

Depending on the vehicle, an event record may preserve a short interval of speed, braking, accelerator input, steering, or stability-control activity before the event trigger.

Those values can be compared with driver statements, photographs, damage, and other evidence when evaluating the reported sequence of the collision.

Vehicle Event Analysis of Multiple Recorded Events

Some supported vehicles may contain more than one event record, particularly in a multi-impact collision or when another qualifying event occurred before or after the loss under review.

Event status, timing, pre-crash values, delta-V, restraint information, and other recorded parameters may help distinguish the available records and determine which event most reasonably corresponds with the collision being investigated.

Vehicle Event Analysis and Recording Limitations

An EDR report may show that a particular parameter was not recorded, that an impact did not meet a required threshold, or that the available interval does not answer the disputed question.

Identifying those limitations is a necessary part of Vehicle Event Analysis and helps prevent the recorded information from being overstated.

Cracked vehicle windshield following a collision

Vehicle Event Analysis Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vehicle Event Analysis?
Vehicle Event Analysis is the evaluation and interpretation of a recorded EDR event, including event status, timing, available parameters, manufacturer-specific definitions, and limitations.
Is Vehicle Event Analysis the same as EDR retrieval?
No. Retrieval accesses and preserves the available vehicle data. Analysis is the subsequent evaluation and interpretation of the recorded event information.
Can Vehicle Event Analysis determine which event matches a collision?
Potentially. When multiple event records are available, their status, timing, pre-crash values, delta-V, restraint information, and other parameters can be compared with the known collision evidence to determine which record most reasonably corresponds with the loss under review.
Can Vehicle Event Analysis determine fault?
No. Recorded event information may assist with disputed factual issues, but it is one source of technical evidence that should be evaluated with the other available evidence and does not independently determine legal fault.
Can previously retrieved vehicle-event data be analyzed?
Potentially. Native files, manufacturer-generated reports, retrieval documentation, and information concerning the vehicle and collision should be reviewed to determine whether a meaningful analysis can be completed.
Does every collision produce a usable vehicle-event record?
No. Recording thresholds, event qualification, supported data elements, module condition, and event retention vary by vehicle. Some collisions may not result in a retrievable or useful EDR 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
Download the Complimentary EDR Guide

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.