What Is Telematics in a Car and How It Can Prove Fault in an Accident

Your modern car has a multitude of sensors and systems collecting vehicle data. Telematics in today’s cars is a system that collects all that data together, from your GPS to your tire sensors, and uses it to track a driver’s behavior. It’s basically your car’s “black box.”

The data it collects, such as speed, braking, and location, can be used to determine the driver’s actions prior to an accident, which can aid in proving fault.

If you have questions regarding what telematics in cars are and how they can be used to prove fault in your accident, our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys can help.

What Is Telematics in a Car?

The telematics system in cars combines the vehicle’s sensors, onboard computer, and communication module to gather and transmit data. Examples of vehicle telematics devices include:

• Built-in systems, like GM OnStar, Ford SYNC, and Tesla data logs
• Insurance-based telematics, such as Progressive Snapshot and Allstate Drivewise
• Fleet management tools for commercial vehicles

Once transmitted to their databases, these companies use this data to track:

• The vehicle’s location and performance
• The driver’s behavior
• The need for maintenance

It also aids in driver safety, allowing drivers to request assistance and track vehicles that have been stolen.

What Type of Data Do Telematics Systems Collect?

For every sensor on your car, your telematics system can be designed to collect that data. They can collect data regarding:

• Speed and acceleration patterns
• Hard braking, sharp turns, and sudden impacts
• GPS location, route tracking, and time of day
• Mileage and trip distance
• Seatbelt usage and airbag deployment
• Engine’s performance, such as RPMs, fuel consumption, and transmission
• Anti-lock brake system, stability control, and tire pressure sensors

This data provides useful insight into what the driver was doing before, during, and after a crash.

How Telematics Data Can Help Prove Fault in an Accident

Our accident attorney can use this data to clarify who was at fault in your accident. It can be used to demonstrate driver behaviors, such as:

• Aggressive driving, such as speeding and weaving between cars
• Sudden deceleration and hard braking to avoid collisions 
• Failure to yield and obey traffic signals based on time and location stamps

As this is objective data, it can be used to either corroborate or contradict the driver’s statements, witnesses’ testimonies, and the police report.

Accessing and Using Telematics Data in a Legal Case

However, this data is not readily available to the public. It is considered proprietary. It is owned by the companies that have installed the telematics systems and collect the data, such as the car manufacturers, insurers, and fleet owners.

Obtaining this data will require subpoenas or cooperation from those corporations. Once obtained, though, lawyers can use the data to:

• Reconstruct the events leading up to and after the accident
• Support any expert witness testimony they have
• Strengthen their client’s claims for compensation

Other Benefits of Telematics Beyond Accident Claims

Technology is meant to improve our lives, allowing us greater freedoms and safety. The telematics systems in your car do provide other benefits, such as:

• Encouraging safer driving habits
• Lower insurance premiums
• Fleet safety and efficiency improvements

With the data your car’s telematics systems collect, it benefits both drivers and insurers by promoting fair and equitable accountability.

Why You May Need a Personal Injury Attorney

That said, you may still need a lawyer to ensure you receive a fair settlement. A car accident lawyer will know how to secure and interpret the data collected by a telematics system. They can use the data in conjunction with:

• Police report
• Medical records
• Financial statements
• Photographs and video
• Witness statements
• Expert testimony
• Physical evidence

Together, the data from the telematics system reinforces the evidence in a standard car accident investigation.

Actions You Can Take to Reinforce the Data Collected by the Telematics System

The telematics system in your and the at-fault driver’s cars provides a wealth of useful information, but if you don’t take some simple actions after the accident, you could reduce its effectiveness and the strength of your claim. After any accident, you should:

• Move to a safe location: You want to ensure you and your passengers are safe from any further harm.
• Check for injuries: Take note of your physical condition and check your passengers as well.
• Call 911: If your telematics system has not called for assistance, reach out to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
• Take photos: While at the accident scene, collect what evidence you can, such as photos of the area, your injuries, and the vehicles.
• Collect information: Ask the driver for their insurance and contact information; request contact information from any witnesses.
• See a doctor: Go to the emergency room at Broward Health, a similar hospital, or see your primary care doctor as soon as possible.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions: Do not skip appointments, and complete everything your doctor orders.
• Do not give a recorded statement: When you speak with your insurance company about your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, do not give them a recorded statement; just let them know the basics
• Do not sign anything: The insurance adjusters may try to send you a quick settlement; do not sign anything without consulting an attorney first. 

Then, call us.

Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato Today

If you have been in a car accident, the personal injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale with the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato can help. We can investigate your car accident, subpoena the telematics data, and develop a case for maximum compensation. 

Call us today at (844) 643-7200 for a free case consultation.