The information found in a truck’s black box data recorder helps in a truck accident case by providing unbiased, detailed information about the trucker’s actions before and during a crash. It can also contain information about the mechanical performance of a truck.
A Grand Prairie truck accident lawyer can use this information to work on your personal injury claim after an accident. Your attorney can also gather additional forms of evidence to help establish fault for your crash and ensure you get fair compensation for your losses.
How Will the Black Box Help Your Truck Accident Case?
The information on a truck’s black box can help your truck accident case because it provides detailed information about the actions of the truck driver and even the truck’s mechanical performance.
Because the information on a black box comes directly from the truck, it’s harder for the trucking company or other at-fault parties to deny its legitimacy. Therefore, attorneys generally request information from this device immediately after a collision.
Note that trucking companies often try to get rid of this data quickly after a crash, as they know it can help with the case against them. It’s crucial that you turn to a lawyer quickly so that they can request the data before it disappears. A lawyer can also tell you more about how the black box helps a truck accident case.
What Information Can Lawyers Get Off Truck Black Boxes?
Black boxes can capture a lot of information about a trucker’s actions before, during, and even after a crash. For example, these data recorders can contain details about:
- The truck’s speed before the crash, to see if the trucker exceeded the speed limit
- How and when the trucker applied their brakes
- Acceleration and deceleration patterns based on engine RPMs
- Steering movements and sudden turns
- The deployment of truck airbags
- The precise location of the truck during the accident based on GPS data
- Whether the trucker was using a seatbelt during the crash
- The position of the truck’s throttle to indicate acceleration
Black boxes also record information about how long truckers operate their vehicles, which could give a lawyer information about potential Hours of Service (HOS) violations.
Finally, these devices record details about G-force data and crash impact forces. These details can establish the crash’s severity, providing more information to build a successful trucking accident claim.
Other Evidence Can Strengthen Your Trucking Accident Claim
Your attorney will look for other evidence to establish fault for a truck accident. Depending on your circumstances, your lawyer may:
- Take statements from all eyewitnesses
- Get a copy of the official police accident report
- Look for surveillance video or dashcam footage of the incident
- Work with accident reconstruction specialists
The more evidence you have to prove wrongdoing on the part of a trucker or trucking company, the stronger your claim for compensation can become.
Can You Request Black Box Data on Your Own?
You can attempt to request black box data from the trucking company after a crash. However, these companies will often try to employ stall tactics or only accept specific written requests, making it more challenging for injury victims to get the information they need.
An attorney can handle this process for you, allowing you more time to focus on healing and moving forward after a crash.
The Information on a Truck Black Box Can Help You Get Fair Compensation
Your attorney can use black box data and other evidence to build your personal injury claim. A successful claim can allow you to get compensation to cover your economic and non-economic losses after a crash. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for funds to pay for your:
Medical Expenses
You may qualify for money to cover the costs of all of your healthcare expenses. For example, the at-fault party could have to cover your emergency treatment, time in a hospital, surgeries, medications, and other expenses.
Lost Income
A lawyer can help you get the funds you need to cover the wages you miss out on while off work to recover from your injuries. If you end up disabled by the accident, your legal team may focus on bringing you funds to cover your reduced earning potential.
Property Repairs
Trucking accidents often total smaller passenger vehicles. The at-fault party may need to pay to replace or repair your vehicle and any other property damaged in the collision.
Pain and Suffering
Finally, you may qualify for funds to cover your non-economic damages after a crash. These damages can include your emotional distress, mental suffering, and physical pain. You can discuss the funds available in your situation with a personal injury lawyer.
Talk to Us After a Trucking Accident in Texas
So, how does the black box help a truck accident case? Onboard data recorders (black boxes) keep records of the things a trucker does before, during, and after a crash. This information may establish that the trucker caused the collision through negligence.
Our team at The Texas Law Dog can quickly get to work on your claim. We have years of experience, and we’re ready to fight for you, so reach out now.
