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A fully-loaded commercial truck can easily weigh many times more than a passenger car. When these massive vehicles collide with a sedan, the results are often catastrophic. Accident victims are often left with mounting medical bills, severe pain and a difficult question: How do you prove the truck driver caused the crash?
Trucking companies are known for fighting hard to deny liability. They can have teams of lawyers ready to blame accidents on road conditions, other drivers or even you. You need concrete evidence to level the playing field. Fortunately, most modern commercial trucks carry a critical witness on board.
This witness is what is commonly known as the “black box” recorder. It captures objective data about the truck’s movements in the moments before impact. At The Horwitz Law Group, our Chicago injury lawyers know how to recover and use this vital evidence to fight for our clients.
Commercial trucks use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) for maintenance and compliance with federal regulations. This is not the only role of an ELD, however, as they also often serve as powerful evidence in litigation. The black box provides a factual snapshot of the truck’s behavior around the time of a crash, typically recording information such as:
These details can be essential for determining fault in an accident.
Data from an ELD provides a factual timeline that can be used to model the crash. For instance, if a truck driver claims a car cut them off, the steering and braking data can help confirm or refute that story. If they claim they were driving the speed limit, the speed logs will reveal the truth.
Beyond the crash dynamics, ELDs track drivers’ Hours of Service (HOS). Federal regulations strictly limit the number of hours a driver can operate a vehicle without rest. Legal teams can cross-reference crash data with ELD logs to see if the driver was fatigued or potentially violating federal safety laws.
Black box data is extremely compelling, unbiased data that can directly support the claims of truck accident victims. When it presents undeniable proof of speeding, sudden braking or HOS violations, truck companies’ defense often crumbles.
The evidence provided by an ELD can clearly establish negligence and prove that the driver breached their duty of care. This helps injury lawyers seek compensation for:
Though it is powerful, black box data is not permanent. Trucking companies may overwrite or destroy this data if legal action is not taken quickly. If you have been injured in a truck accident, you need an advocate who will move fast to preserve this evidence.
At The Horwitz Law Group, we understand the pain and uncertainty that follow a serious truck accident, and we are here to help you. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Let us fight for the evidence you need and use it to obtain the justice you deserve.
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