Road accidents have been a tragic part of American life for over a century.
Since the first recorded traffic fatality in 1899, more than 3.9 million people have lost their lives on U.S. roads. In recent years, after a long period of decline, these numbers have worryingly started to climb again. In 2022 alone, 42,721 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes.
For decades, understanding why these accidents happened was a slow and dangerous process.
Police officers would walk onto active highways with measuring tapes and roller wheels. They would mark skid marks with chalk and take handwritten notes on paper forms. This traditional method was not only time-consuming, but it also put officers at great risk. The data collected was often limited and could be prone to human error.
But today, technology is making accident data collection faster, more accurate, and incredibly detailed. How? Let’s take a look.
#1 Mobile Apps Help Report Incidents Instantly
The most ubiquitous and accessible piece of accident investigation technology is the one already carried by millions of Americans: the smartphone. Instead of relying on a shaky memory and a pen, drivers can now create a comprehensive digital record on the spot.
A primary innovation is automatic crash detection. Apps such as Openroad and SOSmart use a phone’s built-in accelerometer and location services to sense the G-forces associated with a major collision.
Upon detecting a crash, these apps can automatically send a notification to trained responders or pre-set emergency contacts. They transmit the user’s exact GPS coordinates. This feature is a real lifesaver. If you’re in a crash and can’t call for help, it automatically alerts emergency services for you.
Beyond emergency alerts, apps provide guided evidence collection so that nothing is missed.
Applications like AxiKit offer checklists and on-screen prompts that walk the user through the process. They guide the user to take specific, necessary photographs of vehicle damage from multiple angles, the broader accident scene, and road conditions.
They also instruct the user to photograph important documents, such as driver’s licenses and insurance information.
#2 In-Vehicle Tech Serves as Witness
Modern vehicles are rolling data centers. They are equipped with sophisticated sensors and computers that constantly monitor performance.
EDR is an example. Housed within the vehicle’s airbag control module (ACM), it saves a snapshot of crucial vehicle data before and during the crash.
The data captured by an EDR is a treasure trove for investigators. It includes vehicle speed, brake application, throttle position, and steering wheel angle.
Then, there is a telematics system. Instead of waiting for an event, it continuously gathers and transmits data about how the car is being driven. Together, EDR and telematics paint a full picture of what happened before, during, and even after a crash.
Take the example of the two-vehicle rollover crash that took place in St. Louis last month. First Alert 4 reports that the accident has injured three people, one of whom is in critical condition.
In such an accident, a St. Louis car accident lawyer can use EDR and telematics data to prove who was at fault. They can counter false claims and strengthen their client’s legal claim.
According to TorHoerman Law, these professionals also negotiate with the car insurance company. These negotiations allow victims to secure proper compensation for lost wages and medical bills.
#3 Drones Help Conduct Accident Scene Analysis
One of the most dramatic technological shifts in accident investigation is happening in the air.
Law enforcement agencies across the country are now using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, to document and analyze major crash scenes. This technology has revolutionized a process that was once slow, dangerous, and imprecise.
The contrast between traditional scene mapping and the modern drone-based approach is stark.
In the past, a team of officers would have had to shut down lanes of traffic for hours. They would walk the roadway, painstakingly collecting data points one by one. This process was a major cause of traffic congestion and also incredibly dangerous for the officers working just feet away from moving vehicles.
A drone accomplishes the same task with stunning efficiency. A trained operator can fly a UAS over a crash scene and capture necessary data in as little as 10 to 20 minutes.
This incredible speed means roads are reopened much faster, which eases traffic jams and helps prevent secondary accidents that often occur in crash-related backups.
Technology has turned road accident data collection into something fast, smart, and incredibly useful.
It’s helping investigators and insurance companies gather more accurate information than ever before. This translates to more accurate claims, quicker emergency response, and safer roads for all of us.
As these tools continue to evolve, you can expect even better accident prevention and response capabilities.