What Is a Black Box?
The term “black box” refers to electronic logging devices installed in commercial motor vehicles to monitor driver safety and vehicle performance.
While some commercial truck black boxes log data, like the vehicle’s speed and length of travel, others do not activate unless a collision occurs.
Because the trucking industry is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a truck’s electronic logging device is meant to enforce that truck drivers and their employers follow regulations.
The data collected is invaluable, because the recorded data may determine why a truck accident occurred. Even if fault is contested by the trucking companies, evidence like black boxes is difficult to dispute, as it is not opinion-based and only reports logged data.
How a Black Box Helps With a Commercial Motor Vehicle Accident
A black box is comprised of computerized systems in commercial trucks designed to capture data, log details about the truck’s status, and record vehicle operations of truck drivers.
Typically, commercial truck black boxes continuously record information while the vehicle is in operation. Other trucks begin recording after a crash occurs and may report the following:
- Truck’s speed
- Cruise control
- Braking patterns
- Airbag deployment
- Coordinates of the crash
- Vehicle health status
- Truck’s movements-wheel turns, stops, etc.
This information can determine the cause of the crash, including whether driver error or a vehicle malfunction was involved. A truck accident lawyer can review the crash data to determine what caused the crash and identify which party may be at fault.
The Importance of Black Box Data
Black boxes record crash data is essential to recovering a settlement or court award from the trucking company and all other liable parties.
Though it is still possible to win a lawsuit without black box data, a Fresno truck accident lawyer analyzes commercial truck black boxes to determine the cause of the accident and identify fault.
Some states only allow insurance companies to obtain black boxes of commercial vehicles and require a warrant. However, an experienced legal team will be familiar with the practices for obtaining this data, as there are some gray areas.
Types of Black Box Devices
Various devices, including electronic control modules, event data recorders, and electronic logging devices, can be considered black boxes. Most commercial trucks will possess the following types.
Electronic Control Module
Electronic Control Modules, or EMCs, are the computing systems of modern truck engines, including semi-trucks and larger commercial trucks.
The ECM is a complex system composed of multiple computers and sensors that monitor and regulate various aspects of engine and vehicle performance, like fuel injection, transmission operation, anti-lock brakes, and traction control.
ECMs are responsible for activating the “check engine” light and generating diagnostic service notifications that mechanics use to identify and repair engine problems. Records data may indicate engine speed, temperature, tire pressure, emissions, oxygen levels, transmission temperature, and battery status.
Such components of the truck’s performance help tell the story of what may have caused the vehicle to give out. If the service light was activated and the vehicle was still approved to be taken out, then the trucking company could be liable in the event of an accident.
Electronic Logging Device
Electronic Logging Devices, or ELDs, digitally track a driver’s hours of service. Replacing traditional paper logs, ELDs automatically record engine operation, vehicle movement, and distance traveled by a truck driver.
This data ensures compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Hours of Service regulations, as drivers are limited to working a specified amount of hours per day and are required to take rest breaks during their shifts.
Trucking companies that fail to uphold these standards can be held at fault for an accident, as well as suffer penalties and fines.
Event Data Recorder
Some truck black boxes are referred to as event data recorders, or EDRs. Event data recorders in a commercial motor vehicle capture and record specific vehicle data in the moments preceding a collision.
While event data recorder designs vary, they typically record information such as sudden deceleration, airbag deployment, and abrupt braking by the truck driver.
Triggered by these events, EDRs also preserve data on vehicle speed, cruise control status, brake and clutch application, and steering input. This recorded information can be instrumental in reconstructing the moments leading up to a crash.
For example, a late brake application after a collision between a semi-truck and passenger cars may indicate the truck driver was distracted, causing a delayed reaction to prevent the crash.
How Can I Obtain a Semi-truck’s Black Box?
Trucking companies are only required to retain black box data for a short period of time. Because the trucking company owns the black box, there is no guarantee that the data will be accessible.
The process may take weeks to months to complete, making it vital to act quickly. Following a commercial truck accident, consult with a Fresno personal injury law firm as soon as possible.
File a Lawsuit with the Truck Company
Insurance companies may have access to a truck’s electronic data record data, but the extent of this access can vary.
While the trucking company and its insurance company typically have immediate access, accident victims may need to obtain a court order to access the same data. Additionally, if the truck driver appears to be at fault, the trucking company may be more resistant to sharing the EDR data.
This is why it is best to work with an experienced Fresno truck accident lawyer. If successfully obtained, an attorney can analyze the data for evidence of driver misconduct, such as speeding, reckless driving, or improper braking.
Truck Black Box Details Can Make or Break Your Case
The information from black boxes is essential to proving what the commercial truck was doing at the time of the collision, as well as the moments leading up to the point of impact.
Truck accidents are particularly complex, as the company that owns the commercial vehicles can discard the black box data after a certain period of time. This may severely weaken the personal injury case.
However, a Fresno truck accident attorney will legally compel the defense to provide the black box for analysis. The truck’s black box data, combined with the police report, witness testimony, and additional evidence, set the stage for a legal victory and the payout needed to return to a life of normalcy.
