Eighteen-wheeler accidents can be devastating. Black box data provides insights and concrete evidence of what occurred during a crash, potentially simplifying the claim process, in the event of a catastrophic truck accident . While there is no official black box law, most commercial motor vehicles have some type of event recorder.
Event recorder data serves as an evidence tool and can provide vital insights into driver actions, vehicle maintenance, and collision details. This information can help with a crash analysis and, ultimately, receiving compensation for your truck wreck injuries.
An experienced Philadelphia truck accident lawyer can help you with post-accident data retrieval and other crash evidence you need for your truck accident case.
How Does a Black Box Work?
An event data recorder is an electronic system that monitors and stores certain information leading up to and during an “event.” A vehicle recorder is typically triggered when there is sudden deceleration, airbag deployment, or when seat belt tension is activated.
Event data like speed, braking, and cruise control status is preserved, providing information about driver behavior and what the truck was doing leading up to the accident. All of this information is critical to investigating truck crashes and looking at what factors contributed to truck rollover accidents or CMV collisions.
The Role of the Black Box in an Accident Investigation
Collecting recorder data can be one of the most important steps to take after a truck accident. Accident data can provide critical crash details. Speed data and brake information, for instance, can be vital evidence in a fault determination. This is objective information that can be used to substantiate claims made by the drivers and bystanders about what occurred during the crash.
What Is Black Box Data?
Black box data serves as an investigative tool. This is technical data about what a vehicle and its driver were doing leading up to and during a crash. When specific events occur the truck recorder is triggered to preserve this information. This information can later be retrieved and analyzed.
Truck recorder data can be critical not just for personal injury claims, but also in cases of traffic tickets or when a truck driver is charged in a fatal crash. This data provides concrete, unbiased information about what occurred during the accident and can serve as evidence.
Types of Data Recorded by a Black Box
The type of data available after a truck crash will depend on the specific event recorder. Some common information saved in a black box truck recorder include:
- Brake data
- Speed data
- Acceleration data
- Deceleration data
- Seatbelt status
- Cruise control status
- Impact data like airbag deployment
- Wheel turning
- Steering angle
- Truck diagnostics like tire pressure, gear engagement, and any defects
All this data can serve as evidence and help with an impact analysis and determining liability. This can be especially beneficial when dealing with the insurance company after a truck accident. Having concrete evidence of what occurred during a wreck can be essential during settlement negotiations and during trial.
Benefits of Using Black Box Data
Black box data can be beneficial for evidence collection, collision analysis, and even proving violations of federal trucking regulations. Black box information provides facts that can shed light on accident details, complimenting other evidence like law enforcement’s accident report and witness testimony.
By utilizing black boxes, the parties are not relying on the parties’ memories and biases, but neutral data. This information can prove persuasive to insurance adjusters, judges, and jurors when fighting for injury compensation.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Today
Commercial motor vehicle crashes can be catastrophic. Not only do they often result in life-altering injuries, but making a claim can be complex. Understanding how to pursue the responsible party and what compensation you are owed is essential to receiving fair compensation.
If you’ve been hit by a delivery truck, tractor-trailer, or other commercial motor vehicle, the team at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. can assist you with your personal injury claim. We have over 30 years of experience helping truck accident victims and we are committed to getting our clients results.