Did you know that many trucks have a black box called an event data recorder (EDR) installed in them? If you’re ever involved in an accident with one, a truck accident lawyer will work to secure black box data as part of their investigation into your crash.
This box is one of the many crucial pieces of truck accident evidence. It could ultimately make or break the legal case you file against a trucker, a trucking company, or another party you claim was responsible for your crash.
Learn more about what one is and the role it could play in a personal injury claim before you start discussing your legal options with a lawyer.
What Is a Black Box?
Many people are familiar with the black boxes installed in commercial airplanes. Also known as flight recorders, these boxes log important flight data, such as speed, altitude, and position, which can be useful during investigations following plane crashes.
People don’t always realize that many trucks also have these boxes. Like those in planes, they consistently collect information, including speed and brake usage. These boxes often come into play when analyzing crash data after an accident.
As trucking industry technology has improved, EDRs have started collecting even more data. They have been instrumental in reconstructing Texas truck accidents and determining who was to blame.
What Data Is Stored on a Black Box?
When accident investigators uncover black boxes, they gain access to treasure troves of information that can help them advance their evidence-collection efforts.
The following is just some of the data stored in a box:
- A driver’s speed in the moments leading up to and during an accident
- When a driver applies their brakes before and during a crash, the overall intensity of their braking
- The force created during a collision between a truck and another vehicle
Black boxes also contain information about engine and throttle activity seconds before a crash. This is beneficial for crash investigators and truck accident lawyers alike.
How Will a Black Box Play a Part in a Legal Case?
A black box could play a pivotal role in a case you file through a truck accident lawyer. If you claim that a trucker caused your crash, your attorney may prove negligence simply by evaluating the data stored on it.
They sometimes use it to reconstruct your accident and show what likely happened. It will paint a clearer picture for a judge or jury in a legal case.
They might also point to data that suggests a truck driver showed negligence by:
- Speeding
- Failing to apply their brakes
- Driving with maintenance issues
The ability to pinpoint such information with objective certainty has turned black boxes into invaluable resources for those filing accident claims. Your attorney might want to file a legal request for one immediately to preserve the information collected during your crash so that it doesn’t disappear before they can analyze it.
Call Us To Speak With a Truck Accident Lawyer About Your Case
If you were in a crash in Texas that led to you sustaining serious injuries, explore the possibility of taking legal action against another driver. A truck accident lawyer from McLaurin Law, PLLC, will analyze your case and determine its viability before recommending which steps you should take next.
Our legal team is also here to help those who decide to file accident lawsuits to create compelling cases. Contact us at (713) 364-1895 to discover more about how a black box could affect your case after you file it.
