In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a volatile memory module configured to store vehicle data; a non-volatile memory module coupled to the volatile memory module; and an energy-storage module configured to provide power to the volatile memory module and the non-volatile memory module during a data transfer between the volatile memory module and the non-volatile memory module. The energy is provided to the non-volatile memory module for writing the vehicle data to non-volatile memory. The apparatus further includes a collision-detector module configured to identify a collision event of the vehicle; and a controller coupled to the energy-storage module and the collision-detector module. The controller is configured to initiate a transfer of the vehicle data stored in the volatile memory module to the non-volatile memory module in response to receiving an indication from the collision-detector module that a collision has occurred.