You may have heard the term “black box” after a tragic airplane crash as crews go through the wreckage to find this pivotal piece of evidence that can help explain how an aviation accident occurred. But did you know that semi trucks also contain a similar device and that this may be the key to securing the compensation you deserve after a truck accident? Here is what you need to know about black boxes in commercial trucks.
What Is a Black Box?
The official name of a “black box” is an event data recorder or EDR. An event data recorder is an electronic system that monitors and stores critical information about the vehicle in the moments leading up to an event, such as a collision. The information the EDR records may include:
- Sudden deceleration
- Sudden braking
- Airbag deployment
- Activation of seatbelt tension
- Clutch application
- Speed
- Wheel turning
- The exact location at the point of impact
- Cruise control status
In addition to EDRs, modern commercial trucks may also contain electronic logging devices and electronic control modules, which can provide additional information that can help with truck accident claims. Electronic logging devices record when a driver is operating the truck to check if they are complying with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours of service rules, which are intended to prevent accidents caused by fatigued driving. Electronic control modules are computer systems that monitor and control various aspects of the engine and vehicle performance. They can reveal if the truck had mechanical issues near the time of the accident.
What Can the Electronic Data in the Truck Reveal About the Accident?
It’s common after a truck accident for the truck driver and victim to have very different accounts of how the accident happened. The truck driver may want to protect their job and the trucking company, so they may be hesitant to accept responsibility for an accident they caused. Rather than delving into a he-said-she-said situation, these electronic systems can provide objective information about factors relevant to the accident seconds before it occurred. For example, the black box may reveal that the driver was speeding or failed to brake until seconds before the accident occurred, which may indicate fatigue or distracted driving. The electronic control module may show the engine had an issue that posed a safety threat to others.
How Lawyers Use Black Box Data
Experienced truck accident lawyers understand how crucial the evidence in black boxes is and can work diligently to obtain it. They may send a spoliation of evidence letter to the trucking company, instructing it to preserve this data or risk legal consequences. They can request the data during the discovery process. They can also hire accident reconstruction experts who can use the objective evidence to recreate the events that caused the accident.
The lawyers of Caruso Law Offices, P.C. are experienced at handling all aspects of truck accident claims, including obtaining black box data and other relevant evidence. Call us today at (505) 883-5000 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation.