Crash Data is a Game Changer for Insurance Claims
By using Crash Data you will have many important data parameters (evidence) from that vehicle, including pre-crash data, that will help you better understand important factors that led to the crash.
Crash Data can give you unbiased evidence from the vehicle:
- Was the insured speeding?
- Was the insured accelerating or braking just prior to impact?
- Was the insured belted?
- Was there anyone else in the car?
- Who was struck first in an in-line, multi-vehicle crash?
- Was the insured steering to the left or right before impact?
- Was the insured really struck while parked?
- What was the potential for injury?
- How hard was the insured hit?
- Did the insured stop at the controlled intersection? Or attempt to stop?
As you can see, this is information (evidence) you can't afford to miss while evaluating any accident claim. Crash Data Retrieval Australia can provide a definitive report of many valuable pre-crash parameters to better understand the accident claim. If you do not obtain this data (evidence) someone down the road in the investigation is going to ask, "why you didn't retrieve it?"
Crash Data Retrieval Australia have are developing a national infrastructure of retrieval centres offering rapid access to Crash Data Reports with the option of free retrieval and storage of Crash Data for CTP/Third party and personal injury claims thereby making reports available as and when needed in the future when claims arise.
We are quickly approaching a point in time where if you are investigating an accident claim, you need to retrieve the Crash Data. If you don't, there is a very good likelihood that your expert, who is to testify, will be provided with a motion to exclude for failing to get the information. It could also be considered spoliation of evidence which could result in a negligent investigation or a bad faith investigation.
The bottom line is retrieving Crash Data will save your company hundreds of thousands of dollars by:
- Better case evaluation
- Better settlement decisions
- Expediting the claims cycle
TRUE LIFE EXAMPLE NUMBER ONE
Adjuster: Policyholder Phillips, I'm here to look at the damage to your 2006 Toyota Camry. PP: Yeah, like I reported on the phone, it was fine when I parked it last night; but this morning there was all this damage! Some hit and run driver must have crashed into it during the middle of the night while it was parked in front of my house. Adjuster: (Opening the Door.) No problem. I'm just going to take a quick read from the EDR. PP: What's an EDR? I never heard of those before. Adjuster: An Event Data Recorder. Gee, this says that the seat belts were buckled and the car was being driven at 53 kph at impact, braking from 80kph mph a few seconds before the crash.. Are you sure the vehicle was parked? OOPS |
TRUE LIFE EXAMPLE NUMBER TWO
Adjuster: Ms. Jillian, you reported that you were driving Mr. Osborne's 2010 Vehicleon the night of June 24th. Mr. Osborne was in the passenger seat because he was too inebriated to drive. MJ: That's right. Adjuster: (Looking at EDR report). The responding officers noted that you were sitting in the driver's seat and Mr. Osborne was in the passenger seat; however, the EDR data shows that the driver’s seat was pushed all the way back for a taller person at the time of impact, and the passenger seat was pushed all the forward for a shorter person in the passenger seat. You are less than five feet tall and could not safely operate the vehicle with the seat in that full rearward position. How do you explain that? MJ: (No longer smiling) What's an EDR? OOPS. |
TRUE LIFE EXAMPLE NUMBER THREE
Adjuster: Ms. Smith, you reported that your son was driving your husband’s 2009 4WD and the side air curtains deployed on their own. Your son had said you that he had no idea how that happened and you thought the truck may have a defect in it and want to file a claim to repair the vehicle and consider legal action against the manufacture. Ms Smith: That's right. The truck's air bags going off unexpectedly could have caused a serious accident and hurt my son, or worse. Adjuster: Yes, that would be unfortunate. Ms. Smith: Ok then, what are you going to do about it? (Smiling) Adjuster: (After imaging the truck and looking at EDR report). The EDR data shows the vehicle was actually involved in what it thought was going to be a roll over, deploying the side curtain air bags to protect the occupants. The truck speed was constant at 80 kph and there was no attempt to stop the truck. It appears that the truck may have gone for a rough joy ride that ultimately deployed the air bags. Are you sure you wish to proceed with a claim? Ms. Smith: (No longer smiling) I believe I need to have a talk with my son. OOPS. |