Event Data Recorder Reveals Critical Collision Factors

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Case Summary: A collision occurred when a vehicle pulled out from a stop sign into the path of another vehicle with the right of way.  Initially, liability was assigned to the driver who pulled from the stop sign, failing to yield to the driver with the right of way.  However, analysis of the Event Data Recorder (EDR) downloads from both vehicles revealed a more complete picture of the factors that contributed to the collision.

Expert Analysis: The vehicle with the right of way was downloaded shortly after the incident.  Its EDR data showed the vehicle was traveling 10 mph above the posted speed limit at the time of the collision.  While this vehicle maintained the right of way, the excess speed was a contributing factor in the severity and occurrence of the crash.  More than a year later, the vehicle that had pulled out from the stop sign was located and downloaded.  Despite the time lapse, the EDR data remained intact.  It confirmed that the driver without the right of way had slowed but did not come to a complete stop before entering the intersection.

Key Takeaway: This case highlights that EDR data does not erase with time, so long as the vehicle is still available.  The downloads clarified liability: failure to yield remained primary, but additional fault arose from not stopping fully to ensure the roadway was clear.