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How Can a Truck’s Black Box Help My Injury Case?
In Florida, car accidents are unfortunately common. When an accident occurs between a car and a commercial truck, the truck’s large size can severely damage the car and injure the driver and passengers.
If you were in an accident with a truck, the truck’s black box can be key evidence in your case. Contact a Florida truck accident attorney from the Leaser Law to support you when you or a loved one is injured in an accident caused by a commercial truck.
What Is a Black Box?
You may have heard of black boxes in airplanes. A black box in a truck serves a similar function: it records the data from the truck. It is also called an event data recorder, or EDR. Trucks are not legally required to have black boxes, but nearly all commercial trucks do.
The black box records data that can tell the story of an accident. Using the data, lawyers and judges can determine who is at fault for an accident. The evidence gathered from black boxes can be exceptionally helpful in documenting negligence.
Why Is Black Box Data So Important?
Car accidents are stressful, and you may not remember all the details of the accident. The crash site doesn’t typically provide much hard evidence, and there aren’t always eyewitnesses to corroborate your claims. Black boxes store objective data that can demonstrate a truck driver’s negligence.
What Data Does a Black Box Record?
A black box is invaluable because of the range of data it records — data that could prove that the truck driver or trucking company was at fault for the accident.
Speed
A black box records how fast the truck was going. This is crucial evidence in determining the risk factors of a crash. If the driver was going significantly above or below the speed limit, it could be possible to prove that distracted or negligent driving caused the accident.
Truck Brake Times
Knowing when and for how long a truck braked before an accident is vital information when determining liability. Did the driver slam on the brakes at the last second? Did the driver not brake when they should have, causing an accident?
Hours of Operation
There are rules and regulations as to when truck drivers can drive their trucks and for how long at a time. A black box records exactly when the driver was behind the wheel. If the driver did not take legally required breaks, a truck accident lawyer in Florida may be able to prove negligence and seek compensation on your behalf.
How Can You Access Black Box Data?
Truck companies own black boxes and the data they record. This can make it tricky for victims of trucking accidents to access the data on their own. Timing is crucial in securing black box data. Many black boxes don’t hold all the information they record indefinitely; often, they are written over every 30 days. Securing legal help for trucking accidents means having an attorney on your side who knows how to act quickly to preserve evidence.
Contact Leaser Law Firm if You Were in a Truck Accident in Florida
If you were involved in an accident involving a truck, contact Leaser Law Firm to secure legal representation as soon as possible. Our professional, experienced team will support you in accessing the black box data and filing a claim against the at-fault party. Call 954-233-3515 for a free consultation with a Florida truck accident attorney at Leaser Law.