CrashScan | Accident Detector

CrashScan | Accident Detector

CrashScan | Accident Detector is a powerful tool designed to assist collision investigators in analyzing vehicle accidents through advanced diagnostics. This application works in tandem with the OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth adapter to scan various car computer modules, including the Event Data Recorder (EDR), commonly referred to as the "blackbox," when supported. By using CrashScan, investigators can efficiently flag, capture, and interpret stored data from prior accidents. This crash data serves as crucial evidence to validate motor vehicle insurance claims and offers initial indicators for determining liability or assessing questionable collision claims.

The scope of vehicle support for CrashScan is extensive, covering over 3000 unique year/make/models internationally. This comprehensive coverage ensures that most vehicles involved in accidents can be effectively analyzed. Users can confirm specific vehicle compatibility by visiting Collision Sciences' official support page.

When a "CrashScan" operation is successful, it generates detailed contextual accident reports. These reports provide insights into the severity of impacts, their orientation (front, rear, or side impacts), and additional context such as whether the accident was minor, moderate, or severe. The report also includes information about EDR trigger thresholds, pre-crash speed and driver behavior (brake pedal, accelerator pedal, and steering actions), the number of occupants in the vehicle, seatbelt usage, estimated damage repair costs, indications of structural crush damage, injury risk thresholds (such as whiplash and injury duration), and typical g-forces encountered during daily activities for reference. Notably, injury risk algorithms incorporate stored acceleration values alongside scientific articles and databases like the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS).

For users looking to get started, there are demo videos available to guide them through the process. An app demo video can be found on YouTube at this link, while a "CrashScan Setup" tutorial is accessible via this URL.

Privacy legislation plays a significant role in the use of EDR data. In Canada, EDR data is considered diagnostic and non-private, although insurers typically seek consent as a best practice. In the United States, the federal Driver Privacy Act of 2015 regulates EDR data retrieval, emphasizing that collected information belongs to the vehicle owner or lessee. Seventeen states—Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington—have enacted specific statutes regarding EDR privacy, mandating consent for data downloads except under certain exceptions.

End-user consent is essential when downloading the CrashScan mobile app from Collision Sciences, Inc. By installing the app, users agree to its future updates and upgrades. Consent can be withdrawn at any time by uninstalling the app. Users acknowledge that the app may automatically communicate with Collision Sciences' servers to deliver functionalities and record usage metrics. Additionally, the app may modify app-related preferences or data stored on the device and collect information as outlined in the privacy statement. For further inquiries, users are encouraged to visit CollisionSciences.ca.