What is a Commercial Truck’s Black Box?
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In California, the average tractor trailer is 72 feet long. They can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when carrying a full load of cargo. Given their large size, eighteen wheelers pose an inherent safety risk. It is imperative that they are operated with the utmost care. Most commercial trucks are equipped with a “black box” that records information about the vehicle. Black box data can be key in a truck accident injury case. In this article, our Beverly Hills semi-truck accident lawyer describes what a truck’s black box is and explains how it can be used to help prove liability in your claim.
What is a Semi-Truck’s Black Box?
For the most part, modern tractor trailers that operate in California are equipped with a “black box.” You will also hear this type of device referred to as an event data recorder (EDR) or an engine control module. It shares some similarities with a black box on an aircraft. As explained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (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.” In other words, it is a computerized device that will record and store some key vehicle information about a truck’s operation around the time of a collision.
An Overview of Data You May Find On a Large Truck’s Black Box
If you are involved in a crash with a large commercial truck, getting access to the EDR/ECM information can be very useful. The data can provide some insight as to what exactly happened. Here is an overview of data that you may be able to get through the truck’s black box:
- Speed Data: The black box records the speed of the truck at the time of the accident and several seconds prior. Speed information is vital to reconstruct the accident scene and determine whether the truck was driving too fast for road conditions.
- Brake Usage: Whether or not the truck driver applied the brakes before a collision can be a critical piece of information in determining fault. The ECM logs brake usage, including sudden or hard braking events. Brake data provides key insight.
- Engine Use and Performance: Data on engine use includes RPMs and power settings at various times before the crash. It can reveal whether the truck was being operated within safe engine performance limits and can also indicate potential mechanical issues.
- Steering Angle: The angle of the steering wheel at the time of the crash provides insights into the driver’s actions in the moments leading up to an accident. It helps to establish if the driver was attempting to swerve or avoid something on the road.
- GPS Location: Modern black boxes often include GPS data, which records the precise location of the truck at the time of the incident. The precise truck GPS location helps in mapping out the accident in the greatest level of detail.
Why it Matters: California is a Fault-Based Truck Accident State
Why does black box data from the truck matter for injured victims? The key point is that California is a fault-based motor vehicle crash state, including for trucking accidents. To hold a trucker and trucking company liable for a crash, you must prove that their negligence contributed to the incident. Data points from a truck’s black box can be truly instrumental in piecing together the last moments before an accident. It can provide clarity on the cause of the accident.
Your Attorney Can Help You Get Records and Evidence from the Trucking Company
Evidence is the foundation of any successful personal injury claim. Large trucking accidents are certainly no exception. The truck company should preserve relevant evidence. However, you cannot always rely upon them to do so. Securing records and evidence from a trucking company is a critical step in any truck accident case. Your Beverly Hills, CA truck accident attorney can help. Depending on the circumstance of the case, your lawyer may use subpoenas and/or file motions to obtain the black box data, driver’s logs, maintenance records, and other evidence held by the company.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Beverly Hills Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At Saeedian Law Group, our Beverly Hills semi-truck accident attorney is a skilled, experienced advocate for justice. Have questions about a truck’s black box recording data? We can help. Call us now or contact us online for a no cost, no obligation case review. From our Beverly Hills office, we handle semi-truck accident claims throughout all of Southern California.