Can Vehicle Data Prove Who Caused a Car Accident in Florida?

Vehicle data can often prove who caused a car accident. Modern vehicles generate and store extraordinary amounts of data, and this data can be extremely useful for proving who was at fault in a collision. An experienced Florida car accident attorney will be able to take the necessary steps to gain access to the data required for your claim.

When you have a claim for a car accident in Florida, it is up to you to prove that you are entitled to just compensation. In most cases, this involves proving that the other driver was at fault in the collision. While several forms of evidence may show the other driver was at fault, vehicle data can be among the clearest and strongest.

Obtaining vehicle data after a car accident is typically a formal legal process that requires strict compliance with Florida’s laws and court procedures. As a result, you need experienced legal representation. This is one of several reasons why it is important to hire an experienced Florida car accident attorney to represent you.

What Types of Vehicle Data Can Be Used to Prove Fault in a Car Accident?

Modern vehicles generate and store extraordinary amounts of data. Devices that track drivers’ behavior for insurance purposes (i.e., for “safe driving discounts”) also generate and store many forms of data. Cell phones used for GPS navigation and other smart devices may also contain various forms of data that are relevant to proving accident victims’ legal rights.

With this in mind, the following are just examples of the types of data that may be available after a collision:

• Speed and acceleration data
• Braking data
• Steering input data
• Driving route and number of hours spent driving
• Precise vehicle location data (i.e., data showing that a driver ran off the road or crossed the center line)
• Hands-free or handheld cell phone use
• The force of impact during the collision

These types of data (among others) can illustrate how and why a car accident happened. If the data show that the other driver is responsible for causing your injuries, your attorney will be able to use the data to fight for the compensation you deserve.

How Do You Obtain the Other Driver’s Vehicle Data After a Car Accident in Florida?

Let’s say the other driver’s car is storing data that you can use to prove your right to just compensation. How can you obtain the data to use in your insurance claim?

In most cases, obtaining vehicle data (or data from a cell phone or another device) involves issuing a subpoena or another formal legal request. If the data are stored in a vehicle’s computer system, you may need to issue a formal legal request to the vehicle’s owner. However, if the data are stored in the cloud (as is often the case), you may need to issue a formal legal request to a manufacturer or service provider instead.

Here too, you can (and should) rely on your attorney to do what is necessary. An experienced Florida car accident attorney will be familiar with the procedures involved in obtaining access to stored data and will be able to take all necessary steps on your behalf.

FAQs: Using Vehicle Data to Prove Your Legal Rights After a Car Accident in Florida

Do cars store data about their speed, acceleration, and braking?

Most modern cars store data about their speed, acceleration, and braking. The vast majority of modern cars are equipped with event data recorders (EDRs) that preserve data related to major events (i.e., crashes)—and this can often be enough to establish liability in a collision. However, many modern cars also have other systems that continuously generate and store data either in the car’s onboard computer or in the cloud.

Am I entitled to access the other driver’s vehicle data after a crash?

If you have a personal injury claim after a car accident, you are entitled to access all of the evidence you need to seek the financial compensation you deserve. This includes the other driver’s vehicle data. With that said, obtaining access to the other driver’s vehicle data can be challenging, and this makes it important to hire an experienced Florida car accident attorney who can assert your legal rights effectively.

Am I also entitled to access data from the other driver’s cell phone and other devices?

If you have a claim for just compensation, you are also entitled to access data from the other driver’s cell phone, smartwatch, and any other devices—provided that the data are relevant to your claim. Once you hire an experienced Florida car accident attorney to represent you, your attorney will be able to determine what is warranted under the circumstances at hand.

How a Florida Car Accident Attorney at Our Firm Can Help

If you have a claim for just compensation after a car accident in Florida, it is up to you to fight for the compensation you deserve. The insurance companies aren’t going to help you—and they may even try to blame you for what happened.

Our attorneys can help ensure that the insurance companies treat you fairly. We can gather the evidence we need to prove your legal rights, then fight for fair compensation on your behalf. From vehicle data to forensic evidence at the crash site, various forms of evidence may be available, and we can work quickly to preserve this evidence before it disappears.  

Contact Us for a Free, No-Obligation Consultation Today

Do you have questions about seeking just compensation after a car accident in Florida? If so, contact us right away. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Florida car accident lawyer as soon as possible, call us at 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can reach you online today.