After being injured in a commercial truck accident, one of the most important things you need to do is conserve the black box data as quickly as possible. In order to accomplish this, you will need the assistance of an experienced Virginia truck accident attorney. A commercial truck’s black box digitally records and retains vital information that could be deleted or lost if it is not immediately preserved. Obtaining that information, however, will not be easy. It takes an attorney with experience and specialist knowledge to get a hold of the electronic data from the freight company, analyze, and decipher it.
How important is black box data to my commercial truck accident case?
A commercial truck accident attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can make sure you understand what a black box is, how it can benefit your case, and why you should work with an attorney who understands what to do with the information.
What is a Black Box?
Almost every commercial vehicle, such as 18-wheelers, airplanes, and trains, is outfitted with a piece of equipment known as a black box. Similar technology can also be found on many of the newer vehicle models. The black box is actually an electronic or event data recorder onboard the vehicle.
You have probably heard black boxes mentioned in the news in stories involving plane crashes and train derailments. During the investigation of any major transportation accident, the black box is what holds most of the important data that helps investigators work out why the accident took place and who is to blame. The same is true in accidents involving commercial trucks.
What Does the Black Box Record?
A commercial truck’s electronic data recorder or “black box” basically takes a digital image of what was happening in and near the vehicle when the accident occurred. The black box is able to record the exact time of the accident along with a lot of other important information.
A truck’s black box also captures data such as the speed at which the truck was traveling, the route it had taken up to that point, the vehicle’s precise GPS location, and how long the driver had been behind the wheel when the crash happened. Additionally, the black box will document whether or not the truck’s brakes were used and when, if and by how much the driver sped up, whether or not the driver was buckled up, if cruise control was being used, and whether or not the airbags were deployed. The box also records the total number of accidents a truck has been involved in.
Black Box Data Can Be Temporary
It is important to keep in mind that the information recorded by a truck’s black box is usually only maintained for a specific length of time. While some systems hold data for only a few days, others might keep it for as long as a month. This is just one of the reasons it is critical that you reach out to a qualified personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. Crucial information could be lost, deleted, or deliberately destroyed if your attorney does not take swift action to ensure its preservation.
How Black Box Data Can Support Your Case
The data contained within the black box could be extremely useful in helping you establish your version of events and can serve as evidence that categorically proves the cause of the accident.
Black box data becomes increasingly vital in cases where the truck operator or freight company denies responsibility for the crash. The details gleaned from a black box can show that not only did the truck operator behave negligently but also that the freight company was aware or reasonably should have been aware of their employee’s actions.
Speak With an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer
If you were seriously injured in a commercial truck accident, our attorneys can oversee the filing of your claim and skillfully negotiate an equitable settlement while you concentrate on your recovery. The qualified Virginia commercial truck lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp know how challenging life can be after a serious truck accident. We can help you secure full and fair financial compensation for your injuries, lost wages, pain, suffering, and a lot more. Call us today at (833) 997-1774 to schedule your free case review.
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