Available 24/7 • More Than 31 Years Experience • Serving Louisville and Lexington
call white502-253-9110
sub-hero

Blog

At Wilt Injury Lawyers, we take care of our clients like we take care of our family. Schedule a free consultation with us today so you can get the help you deserve.

The Importance of a Truck’s Black Box Data to Your Accident Claim

Commercial truck accidents are often catastrophic, resulting in massive property damage, severe injuries, and tragic loss of life. It is normal after these types of accidents for both investigators and loved ones to want to know what happened, whether to press charges, file an insurance claim, or simply gain closure. In order to do so, accident reconstruction experts may employ a variety of tools, ranging from computer programs to models to small pieces of technology attached to the vehicles themselves.

One of the more important and effective tools in accident reconstruction is the “black box,” a device installed in commercial trucks (and, more and more, some passenger cars and trucks) that records important data about a vehicle’s behavior. Investigators can use it to determine what a truck was doing right up until the point of a collision, which can be extremely helpful during a Kentucky truck accident claim. Proponents of black boxes even point out that their data can help improve road safety in the future.

What is a black box?

You may be familiar with black boxes from hearing about them on airplanes. Black boxes in commercial trucks are quite similar. Also called Electronic Control Modules (ECMs) or Event Data Recorders (EDRs), black boxes are small devices that record and store data about the truck’s operation. Per the NHTSA, a black box is:

…a device installed in a motor vehicle to record technical vehicle and occupant information for a brief period of time (seconds, not minutes) before, during and after a crash. For instance, EDRs may record (1) pre-crash vehicle dynamics and system status, (2) driver inputs, (3) vehicle crash signature, (4) restraint usage/deployment status, and (5) post-crash data such as the activation of an automatic collision notification (ACN) system.

After a truck accident, a black box can be valuable in determining what happened and what parties are at fault.

What sort of data does a black box collect?

A black box can collect a variety of data regarding the truck’s operation in the seconds leading up to a serious accident. This information includes:

This data all provides valuable insight into how a truck accident happened, especially when fault is in dispute.

Why is a black box important after a Kentucky truck accident?

A black box can be key in investigating the cause of a commercial truck crash, as well as assigning fault. Some of these reasons include:

Additionally, by gathering and analyzing data from black boxes, safety experts can identify areas in need of improvement. This can include driver training, truck design, safety regulations, and even road design. Taking this information into consideration can help prevent future truck accidents.

Can black box data help with my Kentucky truck accident claim?

Because black box data is so valuable, it can also be important for a personal injury case, by:

Overall, a black box can be a very valuable tool in your truck accident claim. Its data can provide clear-cut, strong, and objective evidence for your case. Working with an experienced Kentucky truck accident lawyer can help ensure you can access this data as soon as possible – before the other party can alter or destroy it.

If you or a loved one were injured in a commercial truck accident, talk to the attorneys at Wilt Injury Lawyers today about your eligibility for financial compensation. Call us or fill out our contact form today. We maintain offices in Lexington and Louisville and proudly serve clients throughout Kentucky.