Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
In a truck accident case, black box data refers to electronic device recorders that commercial trucks use to record diagnostic information. Black box data plays an incredibly important role in truck accident cases because it provides information that can be used to reconstruct the events of the accident and identify the cause.
As such, a central concern in truck accident cases is securing relevant black box data from trucking companies. A New York City truck accident lawyer can obtain data from companies and use it to strengthen your injury claim.
What Is a Black Box in Commercial Trucks?
A truck “black box” is another name for an event data recorder (EDR), a specialized computer device that most semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other commercial vehicles have. EDRs log information about a truck’s various systems and operations before, during, and after collisions.
EDRs record data about several parts of truck operation, including speed, braking activity, GPS location, and more. Most modern passenger vehicles have some kind of data recorder, but commercial truck EDRs are much more sophisticated and can record significantly more data points.
Why Black Boxes Matter for Truck Accident Lawsuits
Black box data is among the strongest types of evidence in truck accident lawsuits. Evidence like witness statements can be unreliable, but EDRs are an objective source of information about accident circumstances. This information can be used to recreate the accident scene and help determine liability.
For example, say a truck driver runs a stop sign and crashes into you. Black box data can show that the truck driver maintained a constant speed through the intersection, proving that it ran it. Similarly, the data can prove that the driver failed to turn in time to avoid the collision.
Black box data can also highlight concerning patterns of negligent behavior, such as habitual speeding or driving past hours-of-service limits. This type of information can help your lawyer build a strong case to prove negligence and your lack of fault.
What Truck Information Do Black Boxes Store?
EDRs record an extremely wide range of data points about truck diagnostics and operation.
Below are some of the most important:
- Vehicle speed. EDRs record a truck’s speed before, during, and after crashes. This data can show whether the truck driver was speeding when the accident happened.
- Brake use. Braking data can show whether the driver engaged the brakes in time or whether there were mechanical braking issues.
- Steering data. Steering data includes the angle of the wheel and how it moved before and after crashes, which can show whether the driver made appropriate evasive maneuvers.
- Light usage. Light usage recorded includes headlight and turn signal use. These can tell you whether the driver was using appropriate signals and lighting while driving.
- Engine performance. EDRs record data like engine RPMs, which can show if there were mechanical issues before the accident.
- Throttle position. The position of the throttle can tell you whether the driver was accelerating or decelerating before or during the crash.
- Safety systems. EDRs may record seatbelt and airbag data, which can help investigators understand occupant behavior and crash conditions.
- Diagnostic codes. Data recorders log all diagnostic error codes to help determine whether there were mechanical or electrical problems that contributed to the crash.
How Do I Access Truck Black Box Data?
Truck black box data is strong evidence, so you need to take immediate steps to preserve and access it. Your lawyer can send a letter of spoliation to the trucking company to request that the company preserve the data and avoid overwriting or deleting it. Without this letter, trucking companies may destroy EDR data before you can access it.
If the trucking company refuses to release the data, your lawyer can take legal action to compel compliance. For instance, a lawyer may seek a subpoena or court order requiring the company to produce the data. Once you receive the black box data, your lawyer will work with forensic experts to extract and interpret the information.
Other Evidence in Truck Accident Cases
Black box data is important, but it’s just one piece of evidence necessary to build a strong case.
Below are some other types of evidence you should prioritize collecting:
- Physical evidence from the crash scene (e.g., skid marks, paint chips, vehicle body damage)
- Photographs of the accident aftermath
- Surveillance camera or dashcam footage of the accident events
- Witness statements and eyewitness testimony
- Expert opinion and accident reconstruction data
- Weather and road conditions during the crash
- Truck inspection and maintenance records
A lawyer can work quickly to gather as much evidence as possible to build a robust case.
Contact a New York City Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Do you have more questions about black box data in truck accident cases? If so, fill out our contact form below to schedule a case review with a New York City personal injury lawyer from Shulman & Hill. Consultations are free, so don’t hesitate to reach out today.