Using Black Box Data to Determine Liability in Truck Accident Cases
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) and event data recorders (commonly referred to as EDRs or black boxes) are commonly present in commercial trucks. These devices monitor key details about how a truck is being operated and help recreate the sequence of events leading up to an accident.
Since trucking companies and their insurers may try to deny access to this data, it is important to work with a New York truck accident lawyer who knows how to obtain and read black box information before it is erased or overwritten.
What Data Is Stored in a Truck’s Black Box?
A truck’s black box records a variety of data points that could provide valuable evidence about an accident. A few major details collected include:
- Vehicle speed: Shows if the driver was speeding.
- Brake application: Indicates whether the driver tried to stop before the crash.
- Steering patterns: Insight into driver activity leading up to the crash.
- Acceleration and deceleration rates: Shows whether the truck was driving erratically.
- Throttle position: Shows how hard the driver pushed the gas pedal.
- Seatbelt use: Determines whether the driver was abiding by safety laws.
- Hours of service logs: for compliance with federal rest requirements.
Demonstrating Fault in Truck Accidents with Black Box Data
Determining liability in a truck crash typically comes down to proving negligence. The data received from black box is impartial evidence as data will clarify false claims and safeguards from parties assigning blame without facts
Here are some of the ways this data can help establish fault:
- Showing Evidence of Speeding or Reckless Driving
If the truck was moving too fast before an accident, the black box will document precisely how fast the truck was going. This is information that can refute claims that a truck was being operated safely and within speed limits, upon impact.
- Failure to Show Break Time Violation
Slowing down before a crash may indicate that the driver was not distracted, fatigued, or impaired. Black box information can help reveal whether brakes were applied in a timely manner or whether the motorist did not react correctly to road conditions.
- Noticing Hours of Service Violations
Federal laws governing how many hours truck drivers are allowed to drive must be followed. If a review of black box records shows that the driver logged more hours than permitted, fatigue could be a factor in an accident.
- Detecting Mechanical Failures
Fleet truck owners are responsible for keeping their vehicles up to date. If a vehicle experienced brake failure, steering problems or other mechanical defects, black box data might provide evidence of a defect that contributed to the crash.
- Confirming Driver Behavior
Erratic acceleration, sudden turns or sudden stops may be signs of reckless or distracted driving. Black box data can then be cross-referenced with witness statements, traffic camera footage and police reports and to determine the events that lead to an incident.
The Limits of Access to Black Box Data
Although black box data is useful, it is not always readily available. Trucking companies and insurers can try to withhold, erase or change the data to protect themselves from responsibility. Challenges include, but are not limited to:
- Limited data retention: Most black box data is overwritten because of capacity limits, usually with a few days or weeks.
- Corporate resistance: Trucking companies might claim the data is proprietary and will not voluntarily want release it.
- Tampering and deletion: In certain situations, records may be erased on purpose in order to escape liability.
In some instances, you may need to take legal action to preserve vital evidence.
Why You Should Hire an Attorney After a Truck Accident
Gaining access to vital black box data and knowing how to interpret such information requires technical and legal expertise. Attorneys work alongside accident reconstruction specialists to analyze the data, compare it with other evidence, and further build a compelling case for damages.
Lawyers also handle negotiations with insurers, so accident victims do not feel pressured to accept unfair settlements.
Your Rights After a Truck Accident
Truck accidents are complex events with many participants in multiple settings that are regulated by complex laws and insurance companies that want to minimize payouts.
If you or a loved are involved in a truck accident, receiving legal advice can be the difference between your claim being rejected or obtaining fair compensation. For a free, no-obligation consultation, contact us today.