Black Box Data Recovery & Trucking Technology Evidence

After a truck accident, insurance companies on both sides scramble to get the evidence they need. One of the most valuable pieces of evidence in a truck accident is the truck’s black box. A truck’s black box, more formally known as an Event Data Recorder, collects important information about a truck’s operation. This type of data can be invaluable during a crash investigation, which is why it’s so important to work with a truck accident attorney who knows how to use this evidence.

That’s where we step in to help. At Soroka & Associates, we know how hard it can be to secure fair compensation from a massive trucking company—even when it’s obvious that their driver is at fault. Call us to set up a consultation now.

What is a black box?

An Event Data Recorder is installed in commercial trucks to monitor and record a wide range of information about the vehicle’s operation. When most people hear the term “black box,” they think of airplanes—but they are just as useful on commercial trucks after a crash. The information they gather on a vehicle immediately prior to and during a crash can be extremely useful when it comes to securing fair compensation.

Some of the data recorded by black boxes includes:

• The speed of the truck immediately prior to impact
• Any efforts to brake and how much force was used during braking
• How much pressure was applied to the accelerator
• Information on the truck’s mechanical status
• Driver behavior, such as steering or the use of turn signals
• GPS location

By itself, each of these data points may not mean anything to you. But when they are given to an accident reconstruction specialist, these data points can be used to figure out exactly what happened before a crash and how the truck driver behaved during the collision. As a result, your attorney may have the information they need to prove liability.

Legal relevance of black box data in Ohio truck accidents

Black box data often plays a pivotal role in Ohio trucking accident claims. When these crashes occur, there are generally significant disputes about what happened—both drivers have their own side of the story, and the differences between those stories can make it nearly impossible to tell who is at fault. But when you look at the black box data, it’s much easier to see what really happened. Still, while black box data is generally more objective than witness testimony, it must be properly preserved to avoid data loss or potential manipulation.

In Ohio, you can use black box data as evidence in accident investigations and claims. Your attorney may work closely alongside an accident reconstruction specialist to create a sequence of events that matches the black box data, the injuries suffered by vehicle occupants, and damage to both vehicles. In some cases, this data is the deciding factor in proving liability—especially if the black box shows that the driver’s braking, speeding, or other behaviors directly led to the collision.

How black box data recovery works

It’s not as simple as popping out the black box from the truck and accessing the data on it. First, you have to be able to locate the black box after a collision. Commercial vehicles typically have their Event Data Recorder in the Engine Control Module. After the EDR has been located and secured, experts use specialized software to extract data from it. This can be challenging if the EDR was damaged during the crash, but even data from damaged EDRs can typically be recovered with the help of an experienced technician and forensic expert.

Legally, EDR data recovery can be a bit more challenging. It’s often a critical piece of evidence in these cases, but for it to have value, it has to be preserved and handled properly to ensure that it isn’t tampered with or altered in any way. On top of that, in some cases, trucking companies may resist or delay access to EDR data, particularly when it could be unfavorable to their legal position.

Interpreting black box data

There are many different data points that a reconstruction expert may look at when trying to piece together what happened before a collision. Some important pieces of data include:

• Speed before impact: Speeding, even without any other risky behavior, is a negligent act—particularly when you’re driving a commercial truck that is several times heavier than any passenger vehicle you’ll encounter on the road.
• Braking behavior: Braking behavior may indicate whether or not a driver attempted to avoid the crash or not, as well as how early they attempted to mitigate the damage by braking. If a driver does not brake at all prior to a crash, even though it would have been obvious they were about to be involved in an accident, that may be a sign that they fell asleep or were not watching the road.
• Throttle usage: Data about throttle usage may show if the driver accelerated before or during the crash. This data can be useful in showing if the driver was attempting to evade the crash by changing lanes or if they were taking dangerous, unnecessary risks.
• Mechanical data: In some cases, crashes aren’t caused by either driver’s error, but by mechanical issues. This type of data can highlight any issues with the vehicle that may have contributed to the crash.

Legal challenges

Obtaining black box data can be an uphill battle. Counsel should promptly send preservation demands and, if needed, seek a court order because the Driver Privacy Act makes the owner/lessee the EDR data owner; intentional destruction risks spoliation exposure or sanctions. Your truck accident attorney can take steps to preserve this evidence by sending a spoliation letter, but you do have to act quickly. Additionally, there may be challenges interpreting the data, particularly if there are discrepancies or any damage to the EDR itself.

Get the help you need with Soroka & Associates 

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Columbus, get the guidance you deserve as you pursue compensation. Call us or send us a message online to get started now.