What Technology Can and Cannot Reveal After a Car Crash

Investigating a car crash requires gathering every possible piece of evidence to understand how and why it occurred. In today’s interconnected world, technology embedded in vehicles and carried by drivers is a crucial, yet often misunderstood, source of information. 

Systems designed for vehicle operation or personal use can inadvertently record data points vital to reconstruction efforts. However, relying solely on technology can be misleading. 

This article explores the powerful capabilities and the limitations of crash-related technology. It highlights why both data and human interpretation are essential in understanding the full picture.

Why a Car Crash Demands an Investigation

Every year, millions of lives are lost worldwide due to motor vehicle crashes, with countless others left seriously injured. These tragedies underscore the critical need for better prevention, response, and understanding of the causes behind such accidents. 

In St. Louis County, a recent three-vehicle collision tragically highlighted these concerns. According to RiverBender.com, the crash occurred on May 6, 2025, in the 3200 block of Baumgartner Road near Blackforest Drive. 

Police reported that one adult female occupant sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where she later died. The St. Louis County Police Department’s detectives are leading the investigation. 

In such cases, advanced technologies can help uncover what happened. However, human factors like driver intent, distractions, and environmental conditions still require careful analysis beyond what tech alone can reveal.

That’s why expert legal guidance is also vital. In the mentioned case, the guidance of an experienced car accident lawyer in St. Louis is essential. 

According to TorHoerman Law, a dedicated car accident lawyer can assist victims or their families in navigating the often-complex legal process following a serious crash. These professionals work to secure fair compensation, which may include coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

The Black Box Revolution

Modern vehicles are now equipped with black boxes that capture critical data in the moments leading up to a collision. Mandatory in all U.S. passenger vehicles, these devices record vital information such as speed, steering angle, brake application, and seatbelt usage. 

This data helps reconstruct events with accuracy, allowing insurers, police, and crash experts to assess driver behavior and vehicle performance.

According to Motor1.com, starting in July 2024, all newly registered cars in the European Union must also include EDRs as standard equipment. This applies to M1-class passenger cars and N1-class commercial vehicles like vans and pickups under 3,500 kg.

Despite their value, EDRs have limitations. They can’t explain driver intent, distraction, or environmental factors like road conditions or visibility. Older vehicles without EDRs further complicate evidence collection, creating gaps in data reliability.

The Power of Camera Evidence

The widespread use of camera technology has transformed how crashes are investigated. Dashcams, now common in private vehicles, offer real-time video from a driver’s viewpoint. Commercial fleets often use multi-camera systems to monitor both the road and the driver’s behavior. These visuals can confirm traffic light statuses, pedestrian actions, and vehicle movements with a level of detail previously unattainable.

Beyond vehicle-based footage, public and private surveillance systems also contribute. Traffic cameras, building security systems, and even doorbell cameras provide fixed, third-party views that enhance accident reconstructions. 

For instance, the NYCDOT operates over 2,200 speed cameras across all boroughs, strategically placed in areas with high crash rates. This distribution is equitable across racial and income demographics, ensuring fairness and maximizing safety.

Still, camera evidence has limitations. Poor weather, low lighting, and obstructed angles can reduce clarity. Not all crash sites are covered by cameras, leaving some incidents undocumented and open to interpretation.

Telematics and Connected Vehicle Data

Modern vehicles equipped with telematics systems continuously transmit information about speed, location, and vehicle diagnostics to manufacturers or service providers. These systems can instantly notify emergency services in the event of a crash, providing precise location data and sometimes crash severity insights.

Unlike event data recorders (EDRs) that capture only a few seconds of information, connected systems often store a vehicle’s full operational history.  This connectivity, however, raises significant privacy and data ownership questions. Access often requires manufacturers’ cooperation or court orders. 

Highlighting the importance of data security, Carscoops reported that the U.S. Commerce Department issued a new rule effective January 14, 2025. The regulation prohibits the import and sale of vehicles containing connected or autonomous systems developed by entities in China or Russia. 

This action was taken due to national security concerns over potential unauthorized access to sensitive vehicle data.

Use of Smartphone Data

Smartphones have emerged as powerful tools in crash investigations, thanks to their advanced sensor capabilities. GPS tracking, accelerometers, and activity timestamps allow investigators to determine a person’s location and assess phone usage at the time of a crash. This is particularly vital in distracted driving cases, where proving active phone use can be pivotal.

Carrier logs and navigation apps further aid by recording call timing, app activity, routes, and stops, forming a digital trail aligned with crash timelines. 

Moreover, according to Nature, an integrated approach using smartphone sensor data can distinguish between aggressive, standard, and slow driving patterns. This method uses statistical measures such as mean, variance, range, and t-tests to ensure the differences in driving behavior are significant.

However, legal and technical hurdles exist. Warrants are often required to access data, and severely damaged devices may be unrecoverable. Even when available, phone data may not clarify if the driver was actively using the device or if it was hands-free.

The Human Element: What Technology Cannot Capture

While vehicle technology has revolutionized crash investigations, it still falls short in capturing critical human and environmental factors. No system can directly measure a driver’s fatigue, emotional state, or reasoning in the moments before a crash. Even in-cabin cameras can only show where a driver’s head is turned, not what they were focusing on. 

Environmental influences also elude many systems. Most vehicles don’t assess road texture, glare, or visibility obstructions. Temporary hazards like fallen branches or construction debris are rarely captured digitally. Investigators must rely on weather reports, physical evidence from the crash site, and witness testimony to fill these important gaps.

FAQs

Can a phone detect a car crash?

Yes, many smartphones can detect car crashes using built-in sensors like accelerometers, GPS, and microphones. When a crash is detected, some phones, like newer iPhones and Google Pixels, automatically alert emergency services. They also share your location, enhancing response times and potentially saving lives in critical situations.

What is the difference between GPS tracking and telematics?

GPS tracking pinpoints a vehicle’s location using satellite data, providing real-time positioning and route history. Telematics goes further, combining GPS with data from the vehicle’s systems to monitor speed, engine performance, braking, and fuel use. It offers a broader view of driving behavior and vehicle health.

What is the risk of a black box?

The primary risk of a black box lies in data privacy. These devices store sensitive crash-related information, which could be accessed without the driver’s consent. There’s also the potential for misinterpretation of data, and in legal disputes, insurers may use black box records against the driver’s best interest.

The technology available for crash investigation has expanded dramatically in recent decades. It now provides unprecedented insight into the mechanics and circumstances of vehicle collisions.

However, technology alone cannot tell the complete story of a crash. The limitations of current systems mean that comprehensive crash investigations still require traditional techniques. The most effective investigations combine technological data with physical evidence to create a complete picture of an accident’s causes and consequences.