What Does a Telematics Box Record?
After a crash, stories often clash, but data tells its own story. That is why telematics matters in personal injury cases, from minor fender benders to life-changing wrecks.
At The Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec, we have stood with accident victims in Houston and nearby communities since 1996, and we have seen how these records shape outcomes. This article gives a clear look at what a telematics box records and how that information can help in a claim. The information presented here is for education, not legal advice. You can always reach us for a free consultation.
Telematics Box: An Overview
A telematics box, often called a black box, is a small device installed in a vehicle that tracks driving data. Some units come with the car, and others tie to insurance programs or fleet systems. The main goal is simple: it collects facts about speed, movement, location, and how the vehicle is used.
These devices are showing up in more vehicles and insurance policies. The data can be used to model what happened in a crash, line it up with road rules, and point to who holds responsibility. In short, it turns guesswork into measurable information.
A Detailed Look at What a Telematics Box Records
Not all telematics systems track the exact same things, but most record a common set of measurements. Below, we outline the categories that usually matter most in an injury case and explain what each one shows. Short version, they capture how the car moved, where it was, and how the vehicle’s systems behaved.
Vehicle Dynamics
These readings focus on how the vehicle moved on the road.
- Speed: The device logs speed in real time, often second by second, which helps test claims of speeding.
- Acceleration and Braking: It flags rapid acceleration and harsh braking; patterns that can point to risky driving or sudden hazards.
- Steering: Inputs are tracked to show smooth, erratic, or aggressive steering, useful for lane change or swerve disputes.
- Force of Impact: Impact forces during a crash are recorded, which helps link collision energy to injuries and damage.
- Vehicle Tilt: The device monitors roll and pitch angles, which can show rollovers or near roll events.
Location and Time
GPS Location: Telematics uses satellites to log where the vehicle is at all times while in operation. Driving Times: The system records start and stop times for trips, along with how long the vehicle ran. Daily Mileage: Many systems total mileage per day, which can confirm commute patterns or unusual trips.
Vehicle Status
Throttle Position: The position of the accelerator is captured, showing how hard the driver pressed the pedal and for how long. Airbag Deployment: The system notes if and when airbags deployed, which helps confirm crash severity and timing. Engine Diagnostics: Core data such as engine temperature, performance values, and alerts from sensors can show if the vehicle had issues before impact.
Fuel Consumption: Fuel usage is often tracked, which can align with trip length and idling. Vehicle Faults: Error codes are recorded when available, which are helpful for claims tied to mechanical failure. Battery Voltage: Voltage levels are monitored, which can explain power loss events around the time of a crash.
Driver Behavior and Vehicle Use
Some systems add extra context about how the vehicle was used.
- Seatbelt Use: Many devices detect whether belts were latched for the driver and sometimes passengers.
- Idle Time: Idle duration is tracked, which can matter for commercial vehicles and for modeling timelines.
All of these data points can be matched with photos, scene diagrams, and witness accounts. This pairing gives a fuller picture than any single source on its own.
How Telematics Data Is Used in Personal Injury Cases
Telematics provides objective evidence for accident reconstruction. Investigators can test competing timelines, compare impact forces, and see whether speed, braking, or steering matches the story told by each driver.
The table below shows common metrics, what they reveal, and how lawyers use them.
| Data Type | What It Shows | How It Helps a Case |
| Speed | Exact speed leading up to impact | Test claims of speeding or sudden slowdowns at the scene |
| Acceleration and Braking | Hard starts and stops | Identifies risky behavior or sudden hazards that triggered braking |
| Steering | Lane changes and swerves | Explains last-second maneuvers and lane departure disputes |
| Force of Impact | Crash severity readings | Connects impact energy to injury claims and repair estimates |
| GPS and Time | Where and when the vehicle traveled | Verifies route, stop points, and whether a driver was present |
| Airbag Deployment | Trigger timing and modules deployed | Supports timing of impact and severity analysis |
| Engine Diagnostics | Faults, temperatures, power loss | Flags pre-crash defects or performance issues |
| Seatbelt Use | Belt latch status | Addresses defense claims tied to seatbelt use |
Insurers and legal teams review these records to value claims and assign responsibility. The same numbers can support a driver’s account or reveal gaps, which is why fast access and careful analysis matter.
The Difference Between Telematics Boxes and Event Data Recorders (EDRs)
Both tools collect data, yet they serve different goals. Telematics devices record driving habits over time and send data to a server or app, which is common with insurance programs and fleets. EDRs focus on a narrow time window around a crash and store data inside the vehicle.
The purpose and methods differ as well. Telematics is ongoing monitoring with GPS, engine, and behavior data rolling in for each trip. EDRs capture short bursts tied to a crash trigger, such as a sudden deceleration, airbag event, or similar cue set by the automaker.
Protecting Your Rights After an Accident: The Role of Legal Counsel
Once an injury happens, telematics can be the difference between a clean win and a tough fight. A lawyer can move quickly to secure the data, read it with qualified professionals, and connect it to the law that applies to your crash.
- Send a preservation letter to the other driver’s insurer or employer requesting that telematics and EDR data be saved.
- Do not uninstall or reset any insurer app or plug-in device tied to your policy without legal guidance.
- Before repairs, talk with counsel about imaging modules and downloading data from the vehicle.
- Keep login credentials for any telematics portal, and take screenshots of trip logs when possible.
- Act fast since some devices overwrite data on a rolling basis after a set number of trips.
We help shape the story the numbers tell, and we back it up with medical records, scene photos, and witness statements. This blend gives your claim strength during talks with insurers and, if needed, in court.
Contact The Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec for Assistance
Since 1996, The Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec has stood up for people hurt in crashes across Houston and nearby communities. We focus on getting you the medical, financial, and emotional support you need while we build the legal case. If you want answers about telematics or any part of your claim, feel free to call 281-643-2000 or reach us through our Contact Page for a free consultation with a knowledgeable attorney.
