GPS Data Use In Commercial Vehicle Accident Reconstruction

While tracking GPS data from some commercial vehicles has been available for a while, utilizing this data from taxis, police vehicles and tractor trailers is becoming more and more prevalent.

One instance involved a pedestrian who was hit by a taxi. The GPS data retrieved from the taxi showed the movement of the vehicle as well as the time, direction and speed. With this data in hand, we were able to plot the information via Google Earth Pro to show the taxi’s movement throughout the timeframe of the reported incident.

Commercial vehicle GPS data can be acquired from the vehicle owner either by request or, if necessary, by subpoena. We then copy the information into a useable file, input it into Google Earth Pro, and plot the recorded points to determine time, direction and speed.  This data can then be converted into a map for use in the courtroom or mediation presentations.

In the case of the pedestrian being struck by the taxi, witnesses alleged the taxi was traveling at a “high rate of speed”.  The taxi did not have video, but it did have GPS plotting. The GPS data engaged when the ignition was turned on, so data for the driver’s entire shift (while the engine was running) up until the point of impact with the pedestrian, was available.  The data revealed the taxi was not speeding at the time of impact and, in fact, showed that during his entire shift the taxi driver was traveling at or below the posted speed limit. The GPS data recovered and the map we created proved to be very helpful in supporting this case.

Commercial vehicle GPS data is another valuable tool that ARCCA accident reconstructionists use to determine what happened in a collision, particularly when witness statements are contrary to the actual event.