Frequently asked questions
Crash data retrieval, answered.
The questions attorneys, adjusters, and vehicle owners ask us most often about CDR/EDR reports and how we work.
The data
What a CDR/EDR report is.
What is a CDR/EDR report, and why would I need one?
Most passenger vehicles record data in the airbag control module in the seconds around a crash — depending on the vehicle, that can include speed, braking, throttle, and restraint status. A CDR/EDR report is the standardized document produced from that data using the Bosch CDR tool.
Attorneys, insurance companies, and adjusters use it as objective, vehicle-recorded evidence of what the vehicle registered during the event. Crash Point provides the retrieval and the report only — not full accident reconstruction.
How is the report generated, and what does it look like?
We download the data from the airbag control module with the Bosch CDR tool, review the results, and email you the Bosch-generated CDR report as a PDF. The format is the industry standard, so it will look familiar to anyone who already works with crash data.
Coverage
Vehicles and where we go.
What vehicles can you retrieve data from?
Passenger vehicles, cars, and light trucks — including all Tesla models and model years. On 2015–current Toyota and Lexus vehicles, the Techstream add-on can pull an additional download alongside the standard retrieval.
Do you travel outside Chattanooga?
Yes. We’re Chattanooga-based and also serve Knoxville, Nashville, Atlanta, and Birmingham. Travel within 75 miles of Chattanooga is included in the $750 flat rate; beyond that, a drive fee is negotiated on the distance involved and quoted before any work begins.
Distance doesn’t have to be a factor at all, though — if the airbag control module has already been removed from the vehicle, it can be sent to our Chattanooga shop and we retrieve the data here.
Cost & speed
Turnaround and expedited work.
How fast can you respond, and what does expedited service cost?
We respond to every case inquiry within 48 hours. For time-sensitive matters, call Payton Lowe at 423‑464‑1934 or Nikki Sturdivan at 423‑509‑3949 rather than waiting on the form.
That’s separate from how long the work itself takes. If you need the complete service inside a set window, expedited options are available: within 2 business days (+50%), within 1 business day (+100%), or over a weekend or holiday (+100%). The surcharge applies to the total service, and the window is timed from when we have the vehicle or the airbag control module in hand — not from when you submit the inquiry. Selecting a window on the form is a request; Payton Lowe or Nikki Sturdivan confirm it with you before it’s committed.
See Pricing for the full table.
Requesting a retrieval
Who can ask, and how.
Who is legally allowed to request a CDR/EDR download?
A download can be requested by an attorney, an insurance representative, or the vehicle’s owner. Written permission is obtained before we access a vehicle, and retrieved data is kept secured until it is delivered to the authorized requesting party. Once we accept a case, we email the authorization and chain-of-custody agreement for signature before we access the vehicle.
How do I submit a case inquiry?
Use the case inquiry form. All fields are required — name, business name, email, phone, message, VIN, vehicle year/make/model, vehicle location, and date of incident.
Please note the form is for initial contact only. It is not a secure evidence submission or case management system, so don’t send case files or sensitive documents through it.
Have a vehicle with data you need?
Submit a case inquiry and we’ll respond within 48 hours to schedule the retrieval. Time-sensitive? Call Payton Lowe at 423‑464‑1934 or Nikki Sturdivan at 423‑509‑3949.