blog home Truck Accident Do big trucks really use “black boxes” for crash data?

Do big trucks really use “black boxes” for crash data?

By John Singleton on July 15, 2024

A lot of us have heard the term “black box,” but most aren’t sure what it really means. It actually refers to a device found on airplanes that records flight data and is difficult to destroy. In the case of a plane crash, investigators can often recover the black box and use the data to figure out what happened.

These days, a lot of semi-trucks have something similar built in — it’s called an Event Data Recorder, or EDR. Since it does the same thing as a black box, people often call it by that name. If you are injured in a truck accident, we may be able to retrieve the EDR’s data and use it to strengthen your personal injury claim.

How does it work?

A semi-truck’s EDR, or black box, continuously captures information related to the truck as it moves, such as its speed, the position of the throttle, the position of the brake, and even how the engine is performing. When a crash occurs, the EDR records a snapshot of the data from the moments before, during, and after a crash. EDRs can be triggered by the truck suddenly slowing down or some kind of impact, and the information it captures can be very useful to crash investigators, police, and lawyers.

What is it about large trucks that require an EDR?

Large truck accidents can be chaotic and destructive due to the size and weight of the tucks. These wrecks are sometimes more difficult to understand than car accidents. Semi-truck accidents typically result in more severe injuries and property damage.

The information on the EDR can be important after a crash because many different people or companies may be responsible for the accident, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, truck part manufacturers, or even other drivers on the road. These accidents can be complex enough that thorough investigations are needed.

How can EDR data be used to help with a truck accident lawsuit?

EDR data provides clear, unquestionable, evidence-based information that can affect how the personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits are resolved. Special software can make it possible to simulate or replay the accident using the EDR data and other evidence, such as skid marks, damage to other vehicles, camera footage, and witnesses.

This could all help determine important information, such as where the collision took place, where and how fast the vehicles were moving, and the actions or reactions of the drivers. Judges and juries find this sort of information credible and convincing.

How can lawyers get data from the EDR?

In Virginia, EDR data can be a game-changer in court, but getting your hands on it often means getting a court order or the truck owner’s permission due to privacy issues and ownership rights. And whether the EDR data can be used in Virginia courts is up to some specific legal factors. For example, the data must be retrieved, protected, and looked at in a way that makes sure it is accurate, which may mean that a clear chain of ownership of the data and certification by experts is necessary.

EDR data must also be shown or looked at in a way that meets the standards of evidence, which means it has to be both reliable and important to the issues at hand.

When we use this information in court, Ken and I are responsible for making sure the data was legally obtained, and a judge gets to decide if we did it all properly. Our ability to understand and explain EDR data can have a strong influence in helping to secure fair compensation for truck accident victims.

Who can I call in Virginia if I am injured in a truck accident?

Call us at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys. Ken and I are former U.S. Marines, and we consider it our calling to get justice for our neighbors in Virginia who’ve been harmed by others. One of our mottos is “big-city experience, small-town care.” Also, Ken Gibson and I have both been injured in senseless accidents  ourselves, so we understand what you’re going through.

We will serve you with empathy and excellence. And when you put your trust in us, you don’t pay anything unless we win your case — we call it our Zero Fee Guarantee. We are Virginia truck accident attorneys with a proven track record. Call us at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777 to schedule your free consultation today.