Depending on when your vehicle was manufactured, there’s a high chance that it contains a black box. Car accident cases typically boil down to one person’s word against another’s, and a vehicle’s black box data can provide critical evidence for your accident claim. Please continue reading as we explore the key benefits of black box data after a collision and how our experienced Manatee County Car Accident Lawyers can help you fight for the justice you deserve.
What is Black Box Data?
A black box, which is officially known as an event data recorder (EDR) is a device that collects information about a vehicle’s operation before, during, and after a crash. This information can be used to determine the cause of a car accident. These devices can record the following information:
- Vehicle speed
- The impact timing
- Braking and accelerating movements
- Seatbelt usage
- Whether the airbags were deployed
- Steering angles
- Throttle position
- If the automatic braking system was activated
- If the motorist received any crash warnings
GPS and audio/video recording features on some models can be useful in determining the location of your vehicle and what happened immediately before a collision. Audio and video recordings can provide insight into the moments leading up to a crash, but it’s important to note that most EDRs can only store a limited amount of data, usually only about 20 seconds before an accident.
How Can Black Box Data Benefit My Accident Claim?
Following a car accident, there are several ways in which a black box can support your legal claim. First and foremost, the data stored on your EDR can help investigators determine how the accident transpired and who bears liability. The data can show who was speeding, who failed to brake properly, or who made improper lane changes, which can be used as concrete evidence to establish fault for the collision. This is particularly helpful when liability is disputed or the parties involved don’t remember what happened.
In addition, this data can help investigators reconstruct the accident to determine the magnitude of the impact. They can recreate the sequence of events leading up to the crash, which can be crucial when there is contradictory testimony. The force of impact that is recorded on an EDR can be used to corroborate the severity of the injuries sustained and support your claim for damages.
At Becker & Lindauer, LLC we are prepared to effectively guide you through every step of the claims process and advocate for your rights. Connect with our firm today to learn how we can fight for you.
