Commercial Truck “Black Boxes” 

So-called “black boxes” are commonly used in airplane crash investigations in order to obtain information about how the crash happened. The majority of commercial trucks now come complete with this same type of black box. Just as in a plane crash, these truck black boxes can also provide valuable information about how the truck and its driver were behaving prior to the accident. In fact, if you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, the information contained in the black box might be able to prove that the accident was in the truck driver’s fault. If so, a truck accident lawyer might be able to help you receive compensation for any injuries, pain and suffering that resulted from the accident.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) requires that all commercial trucks and buses are equipped with an electronic logging device (ELD). This ELD logs the number of hours a driver is behind the wheel in order to ensure all truckers comply with laws regarding maximum allowable driving hours.

The federal government has laws specifically in place to limit the amount of consecutive hours a truck driver can be on the road in an effort to combat driver fatigue. A 2007 FMSCA study found that driver fatigue is a primary factor in at least 13% of truck accidents. The ELD requirement was adopted to lower this number.

In addition to the mandatory electronic logging devices, most commercial trucks also feature an Event Data Recorder (EDR). This device is extremely similar to the black boxes found in airplanes.  It records a wide range of information that can be used to determine exactly how the truck was operating in the moments leading up to an accident. These EDR black boxes can log the number of driving hours as with the ELD, but they can also keep track of all of the additional data such as:

• GPS coordinates and location
• Average speed
• Cruise control usage
• Speed at time of accident
• If a driver speeds and for how long
• Hard braking and sudden stops
• Seatbelt use
• Deployment (or not) of airbags

Most trucking companies mandate the use of EDRs in order to monitor and track their employees’ driving behavior. However, the EDR information can also be invaluable when filing a personal injury claim against a truck driver or trucking company.

The black box found in many commercial trucks can provide the lawyers at the our firm founder Law Office with evidence of what happened in an accident. It can also share if the trucker is liable for the accident.  Knowing what to look for is important when it comes to these black boxes. Our team of New Jersey Truck Crash Lawyers at the our firm founder Law Office understands how to use this important data that could help our client, the victim, have the proof to hold the liable party responsible. This data can prove to a judge and/or jury who was the at-fault driver in the accident. Working with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers helps you to get the evidence you need to prove liability.

About Crash Investigations

When it comes to these crashes, the black box is the source of the most important information. Our legal team can use this data to prove who is liable and to get our clients the compensation they deserve because of their injuries and/or damages. It is important to contact an experienced Truck Crash Lawyer as soon as possible after the accident so that he or she may immediately take steps to obtain the treasure trove of evidence which the truck may contain.

Contact a Perth Amboy Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Accident Case in New Jersey 

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to an accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at our firm founder Law Office represent clients injured because of personal injury in New Brunswick, East Orange, Newark, and South Amboy, and throughout New Jersey. Call 732-442-5900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 163 Market Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 as well as offices throughout New Jersey.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.