Tesla’s Access to Car Data: A New Tool in Disputes

Tesla Inc.'s quick access to the driving data streaming in from its cars is at the cutting edge of auto technology. The information could prove to be at the cutting edge of auto litigation too, attorneys, law professors and a researcher say.

Collecting acceleration, braking, speed, and other data points from Model X, Model S, and Model 3 cars now in production can give the carmaker an early advantage in responding to crash reports and lawsuits, as several incidents and Tesla’s own comments about cases indicate.

But it can also add to the expense of litigation, and raises new legal ...