A truck’s “black box” can be one of the most pivotal pieces of evidence to review after a truck crash. By accessing the details from the truck’s black box, accident claims can be strengthened with specific information you’d have a hard time proving otherwise.
The rapid-response team at Cain Law immediately launches in-depth investigations into truck accidents on our clients’ behalf – and one of the first things we do is secure access to the truck data recorder, because we know it’s often the key to figuring out exactly what happened.
What Is a Truck’s Black Box and What Data Does It Record?
A truck’s black box (also called an event data recorder) records key operational data before, during, and after a crash. These devices work much like the flight recorders in airplanes in that they continuously monitor and store information about the truck’s performance and driver behavior. The data can provide a detailed picture of events in the moments leading up to an accident.
The black box records vehicle speed, brake application, throttle position, gear shifts, seat belt use, and engine hours. Some also log GPS location, hours of service, and sudden deceleration events. The truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) automatically records and time-stamps this data.
How Black Box Data Helps Prove Fault in Truck Accidents
Because black box data provides hard evidence that goes beyond eyewitness accounts, it can be critical in proving fault after a truck accident. For example, if a driver claims they were following the speed limit, but the ELD shows the truck was traveling 15 miles over the limit, that information can help establish their liability. The data may also reveal whether the driver failed to brake, exceeded federal hours-of-service limits, or made sudden maneuvers just before the impact.
Investigators can compare the black box data with physical evidence, such as skid marks or vehicle damage, to accurately reconstruct the crash. In many cases, this information is the difference between a disputed claim and a precise determination of the trucking company’s or driver’s negligence.
Why You Need an Attorney to Secure and Interpret ELD Data
The sheer volume of evidence a truck crash produces can be staggering. Between photos, videos, eyewitness accounts, the police report, medical records, and background documentation from the trucking company, these collisions produce substantial data. But without data from the black box, truck crash proof can be far less persuasive than you might hope.
For this reason, trucking companies may not be especially eager to hand over truck ELD data for an accident in Oklahoma. An experienced Oklahoma truck accident lawyer will know the steps to obtain this data and how to interpret it. They’ll put their legal and procedural knowledge to work on your behalf and make the process of getting black box data much more straightforward.
Contact Cain Law for Representation After a Truck Accident
Did you suffer injuries in an Oklahoma truck accident? Black box evidence can help us prove the driver’s actions caused the collision and help secure the compensation you need for your financial and personal losses. Cain Law has won over $250 million for our Oklahoma clients. Contact us 24/7 for a free initial consultation and pay no legal fees unless and until we recover compensation for you.
