If This Car Could Talk: Vehicle Forensics in Auto Claims

In recent years, two things have been true about auto claims–they occur more frequently and tend to be more severe than they were prior to 2020. This is according to the LexisNexis® U.S. Auto Insurance Trends Report from 2024, which states that the number of total loss claims has risen by 29% since 2020, and that both severe auto physical damage and bodily injury have also increased.  

These mounting losses, and the fact that sometimes there are questionable claims or conflicting information, highlight the importance of car crash investigations in uncovering critical details and resolving claims effectively. One vital yet often overlooked witness stands ready to provide evidence: the vehicle itself. Their physical damage and onboard data hold valuable insights into the events of a collision. By harnessing this information with the help of vehicle forensics, you and other insurance professionals can make more informed claims decisions or bolster your litigation strategies. 

After a crash, vehicles can hold valuable insights in the form of both physical evidence and data. 

Document the Vehicle’s Condition 

The physical condition of a vehicle after a crash can provide a wealth of information about what transpired. However, without preserving a detailed record of this condition, it becomes difficult to revisit this evidence for claims or legal cases. 

While photographs can be helpful, a 3D model offers even greater advantages. With access and just 4–6 feet of clearance around the vehicle, trained professionals can capture a 3D scan of its exterior. This scan effectively memorializes the vehicle’s overall condition while providing accurate, precise measurements of the vehicle, as well as scrapes, scuffs, dents, or other damage. These can be beneficial for the current claim as well as any future claims involving the vehicle as a record of its condition. 

For claims professionals, such scans can be an essential tool for verifying crash details, especially when paired with a damage validation analysis. Damage validation analysis can be performed by certified experts in conjunction with 3D scans to determine the consistency of damages with loss statements. Should a claim progress to litigation, 3D scans can also serve as compelling evidence. 

Certified professionals can examine the condition of a vehicle to uncover more about the events of a crash and provide insurance professionals with a damage validation analysis. 

Listen to the Vehicle’s Infotainment System 

A vehicle’s infotainment system can also tell you a lot about a crash if you know how to listen to it. That might sound odd, but certified technicians with specialized knowledge can actually implement technology that allows them to download information from a vehicle’s infotainment system. 

Infotainment downloads’ data capabilities may include, but are not limited to: 

• GPS data with timestamps 
• Control panel key commands 
• Connected devices 
• Key fob detection 
• Phone text and call logs 
• Vehicle events, including hard braking and acceleration 

Insights like these can be particularly valuable in claims involving theft, pedestrian strikes, hit and runs, or disputes over whether headlights were on or off when they should not have been. More broadly, any auto claim with conflicting accounts or questionable details can often be clarified with the help of an infotainment download. 

The raw data from these downloads is also admissible as evidence. Crash data analysis performed by experts can make the information obtained more actionable for claims or litigation. Just like with 3D scanning, infotainment downloads can also be complemented by a damage validation analysis—offering even more context around a crash. 

Retrieve Crash Data 

Vehicles also collect additional crash data within their airbag control modules that tend to have important information to convey about collisions. Experienced technicians can extract this data, often without needing to remove the components storing it, via a process called Crash Data Retrieval (CDR). Through CDR, insureds’ vehicles can provide valuable forensic insights into what happened during a collision, offering an objective account.  

CDR data capabilities may include, but are not limited to: 

• Recorded speed prior to impact 
• Change in the vehicle speed (Delta V) 
• If cruise control was in use 
• If the vehicle was in drive, park, reverse, or neutral 
• Steering, accelerator, and brake input 
• Airbag deployment 
• If passengers were present 
• Seat belt status 
• Vehicle odometer mileage at the time of a crash 

Using specialized equipment, certified experts can extract data from a vehicle that has been involved in a crash.  

Just like with infotainment downloads, the raw data captured through CDR is admissible as evidence. But to better understand what the data is saying about a crash, insurance and legal professionals should once again rely on a certified professional to interpret and summarize the data so that it can be used for more accurate resolutions.  

This service can be utilized independently of 3D vehicle scanning or infotainment downloads. However, certain claims may benefit from combining two or all three of these vehicle forensic assessments. Component Testing Laboratories (CTL), part of Alpine Intel’s suite of services, is fully equipped to perform any of these services, complete with optional damage validation analysis. CTL’s Professional Engineers can also compile clear, actionable written reports upon request. To see how vehicle forensics could illuminate your vehicle claims or cases, submit an assignment. 

Alpine Intel’s content is meant to inform and educate readers using general terms and descriptions. They do not replace expert evaluations that determine facts and details related to each unique claim.