Black box recorders in trucks play a very important role in determining the causes of—and, therefore, the liability of the parties involved in—a truck accident. If you file a claim for truck accident compensation, information from the black box recorder can help you prove your case against the liable party.
A Dallas truck accident lawyer can help you pull information from black box recorders and other sources of evidence to build a strong and persuasive claim.
What Information Do Black Boxes Record During a Truck Accident?
Black box recorders are small electronic devices placed inside certain types of motor vehicles. In the event of a collision, they are designed to preserve information pertaining to the truck’s condition and actions at the moment of impact, including:
- The truck’s speed
- Whether the truck driver’s foot was on the brakes or the accelerator
- How many impacts there were
- How many times the truck rolled over (if applicable)
- How long the collision lasted
- Whether the truck driver was going straight or turning the wheel
Can You Access the Data From a Truck’s Black Box?
If you have a good reason for wanting to see the black box data—for example, you are trying to establish liability for your claim or lawsuit—then you have a right to request that information, as well as any other documentation the truck’s owner may have.
A truck accident attorney can help you gather all kinds of evidence for a truck accident claim.
How Black Box Recorder Information Pertains to Your Truck Accident Claim
Black box recorders in trucks play a role in your truck accident claim by establishing key facts about the truck’s movements during the crash. They can be especially helpful if there is any uncertainty about who caused the accident and how much each party contributed to the event. Black boxes can assist you with your case by:
Proving You Are Not Liable for the Truck Crash
Many states have laws about how much liability a person can bear before they are no longer permitted to recover compensation. This is called comparative negligence, although Texas calls it proportionate responsibility. In Texas, for example, this law can be found at Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001.
If you have a black box in your car, you can use it to directly show that your own actions were those of a responsible driver. If not, the truck’s black box can give evidence to support our case that the truck driver was not behaving properly or acting with the proper duty of care.
Hinting at Possible Negligent Actions Prior to the Truck Accident
For instance, if the black box shows that the truck was going excessively fast, you might be able to build a case against the driver.
On the other hand, if the data indicates something was wrong with the vehicle itself—say, if the driver was braking but the truck was not slowing down—then you could potentially sue the trucking company or the maintenance crew for allowing a defective vehicle on the road.
Supporting Other Truck Accident Evidence
As useful as they are, black boxes generally cannot prove or disprove anyone’s claim on their own. By hiring a truck accident lawyer promptly, you give them sufficient time to collect all of the available evidence, including:
- Testimony and materials from witnesses
- Expert opinions on how the accident likely happened
- Video or photos of the accident scene and the damage resulting from it
- The official police report
If the Liable Party Refuses to Settle Your Truck Accident Claim
In many cases, the liable party’s insurer is willing to settle claims out of court. However, this does not happen in every case. An insurer may refuse to negotiate or offer an appropriate settlement if:
- They believe that the available evidence supports their position
- They know they have enough resources to “wait out” your case until you give up
- They think they have a good chance of winning against you in court, so there is no point in losing money by settling too quickly
Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit
Like with comparative negligence laws, each state sets its own deadline for when someone can file a lawsuit if a settlement offer is not forthcoming. For example, whether you lost a loved one or are suing over your own injuries, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 requires that you begin such a case within two years of the injury date.
It is therefore a good idea to start your claim as soon as possible so that:
- Your truck accident lawyer has plenty of time to investigate and collect evidence
- You leave a reasonable period of time for your attorney to negotiate with the insurer for an acceptable settlement
- You do not have to hurry through the filing process and risk making a mistake because you feel rushed
A Truck Accident Attorney’s Role in Your Case
Trying to build and manage a case by yourself is a daunting prospect. This is especially true if you are still reeling from the injuries and losses caused by your crash. You can always hire a truck accident law firm to support you as you pursue compensation, and we’ll take care of you by:
- Analyzing the evidence to determine your case’s worth and who should pay you that money
- Contacting the liable party and working with them to secure the compensation you need
- Staying in touch with you throughout your case so you always know what is happening and if you have to make any legal decisions
- Fighting hard to protect your rights and seek the damages you are eligible for
Let Us Help You Analyze and Collect Evidence After a Truck Accident
Call Loncar Lyon Jenkins for a free case review today. If you cannot come to our office right away, we would be happy to begin your case virtually. No matter how we start your case, we are eager to help in any way we can, including by explaining how black box recorders in trucks play a role in your truck accident claim.
