How Can Black Box Data Contribute to a Truck Accident Claim?

It goes without saying that truck accidents can cause considerable damage, especially to passengers is small vehicles. Because big rigs are so much heavier than cars, the force of impact is often catastrophic.

The cost of medical bills and lost wages can quickly spiral out of control after an 18-wheeler collision. Your financial future could depend entirely on the outcome of your personal injury claim. For your case to prevail, you must have strong evidence of negligence and liability. Depending on the facts of your case, this evidence might include:

• Photographs of the wreck;
• Eyewitness testimony;
• The official police report;
• Surveillance or dash cam footage;
• Cell phone records;
• Toxicology test results;
• Statements from accident reconstruction experts; and
• Data from the truck’s “black box,” or event data recorder.

Black boxes record information about the vehicle’s operational events. Their data can be invaluable for proving negligence and liability—especially when it is unclear how the accident occurred.

According to Congressional Research Service, electronic data recorders can capture all kinds of information in the seconds before, during, and after a crash. This information includes:

• Rate of acceleration and average speed;
• Brake application;
• Accelerator application;
• Tire pressure;
• Seat belt usage; and
• Airbag deployment.

This data may contribute to the strength of your personal injury claim by corroborating your version of events or revealing an illegal or negligent act committed by the truck driver. For instance, black box data might reveal that the driver violated the hours of service regulations or was breaking the speed limit just before the collision.

How to Obtain Black Box Data 

Obtaining black box data can be difficult without the help of a lawyer. As of 2018, 17 states have implemented laws protecting this data by declaring it the property of the vehicle owner, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Although Minnesota does not have any laws on the books regulating black box data yet, accident victims may run into challenges when attempting to obtain it, especially if it contains evidence of negligence. A seasoned personal injury attorney can help you file a subpoena to get this data and gather other evidence to strengthen your claim.

Call 800-770-7008 to Discuss Your Case with a Minneapolis Truck Accident Attorney Today! 

If you were hurt in a collision with a reckless truck driver, the Minneapolis personal injury lawyers at Bradshaw & Bryant can help you gather proof of liability and damages, including black box data, eyewitness testimony, medical records, and expert witness testimony. For six consecutive years, attorney Michael Bryant has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and has been named among Minnesota’s Top 40 Personal Injury Lawyers by Minnesota Law & Politics.

Time is of the essence in any truck accident claim because important evidence may be altered or destroyed. Call 320-259-5414 today or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free case evaluation.