Truck and car black box data and other electronic evidence has come a long way since it was first introduced. Read how this data can be used to improve truck accident litigation strategies.
Like most things in life, motor vehicles have added much in the way of technology the past few decades. Commercial motor vehicles, including tractor-trailers, also utilize technology today more than ever before. Some of the technology motor vehicles use today might help with safety, efficiency, entertainment, and tracking maintenance.
Since much of this technology records data, the data can then be used to understand how a wreck occurred or how a driver’s actions may have contributed to a wreck.
In the early 2000s, this technology was limited mostly to ACM (Airbag Control Module) or “black box” data, which would record information on braking, steering, and speed prior to an event like a crash.
With more technology being used for various reasons, main motor vehicles have a trove of data and electronic information that can shed light on accident reconstruction and driver habits. This newer technology included fleet telematics, GPS, infotainment systems, cell phones, and dashcams.
Using Black Box Car Crash Data in Litigation
While getting and interpreting the data is crucial, using it in the right way is also important. In most of our cases, we try to broaden the timeline as much as possible, so the focus is not just the seconds leading up to the crash, but also the weeks and months leading up to the crash as well.
Electronic data from commercial vehicles can show a driver was unsafe for a long period of time that would have given the employer notice to correct the unsafe driving. Making the case about the company’s failures more than the driver’s lapse in one moment is a key strategy in most cases.
Briant Mildenhall recently taught a webinar on how to use electronic information from cars and trucks. The webinar focused on:
- How to access and use data from a vehicle’s “black box” module and infotainment system to understand how a crash occurred, such as speeds, braking, and steering by drivers.
- How to access and use data from commercial motor vehicle telematics that can pinpoint speeds, locations, hard brake events, and dash cam footage.
- Getting experts to help interpret electronic information data into facts that can help prove how a wreck occurred.
Briant has achieved certification in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and has first-hand knowledge of how insurance companies evaluate accident claims.
To view Briant’s webinar and other previous web sessions, please visit our Archive and register for easy access. You can view this webinar in full and learn more about important truck accident litigation topics. At Fried Goldberg, we are at the forefront of truck accident litigation strategy and techniques.
Watch the video below to learn more about Fried Goldberg Attorney Briant G. Mildenhall
A Comprehensive Approach to Truck Accident Investigation
Electronic evidence like the data from a black box in a car accident is just one aspect of the overall approach we employ during a truck accident investigation. For instance, during an investigation, we will also examine the driver’s mandatory driver qualification file (DQF).
A valid DQF must contain:
- The accident history and driving records for both driver and truck
- Employment history of the driver
- Results from various road tests and drug/alcohol tests
- Service hour records
- Training certificates
- Truck maintenance records
- Copies of licenses and identification cards
- Annual reviews of records
- Medical certifications
- Employment applications
- Relevant personnel records
Electronic evidence combined with a driver’s DQF can provide a much more thorough and detailed picture of the accident and the context surrounding the incident.
An experienced truck accident attorney will be able to synthesize these factors in order to maximize the verdict or settlement for the injured party. Damages in a commercial truck accident lawsuit can cover significant costs, including medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other losses.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accident litigation has evolved greatly from its infancy stages. With advanced technology and electronic evidence, attorneys now have more access to data and information surrounding an accident than ever before. The challenge lies in learning to interpret and apply that data to form a strong trial strategy.
Why Hire Fried Goldberg
At Fried Goldberg, we dedicate more than 95% of our practice to defending victims of truck accidents. Our novel approaches to truck accident trial strategy have elevated and improved the field of truck accident law and helped to shape new paradigms for the field.
If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, contact us at (877) 591-1801 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We are here to guide you toward justice and compensation under the law.
If you are a practicing plaintiff’s attorney and are interested in co-counsel opportunities or attending our webinars and other presentations, contact us for more information.