Buford is a city that straddles two counties, such as Gwinnett and Hall. It was founded in the 1800s when a railroad connecting North Carolina and Atlanta was laid. Originally home to a tanning industry, it is now a suburban area that is a popular place to live and work.
Like any other city, Buford also has its share of truck accidents. If you find yourself in such an unfortunate situation, it’s crucial to hire a Buford, GA, truck accident attorney. An attorney will have the knowledge needed to navigate the legal process by investigating the case and gathering essential evidence needed for the case. One such important piece of evidence is black box data.
What is a Black Box?
Have you ever heard of an airplane’s black box? It’s also called a flight recorder, and it records essential data related to the flight, like cockpit conversations, air traffic control communications, altitude, etc. It is designed to withstand crashes so investigators can determine what went wrong and prevent future accidents.
Trucks have similar devices to airplanes, which have been used since the ’90s. They were initially used to prevent insurance fraud related to engine faults but were helpful in truck accident investigations.
What Kind of Data Does It Record?
A truck’s black box is also called an Event Data Recorder (EDR), and it records the following information:
- How fast the vehicle was going
- Whether seatbelts are buckled
- How many hard stops were made before the crash
- Whether airbags were deployed, etc.
This data is typically recorded for 30 days; however, older models have a truck’s recording duration. When the storage capacity is exceeded, the existing data is overridden, so gaining access to it is crucial.
How Can It Be Used in Truck Accident Investigations?
An accident investigation typically aims to determine what happened and who can be held responsible. Piecing together the events that lead to an accident can be difficult as evidence becomes lost or forgotten. A black box eliminates this problem by making crash data readily available.
If other vehicles were involved in the accident, black box data from those vehicles can also be used to piece together the event. In order to file an accident claim, it is necessary to establish fault and liability, and the black box data can show if the driver was negligent or if someone else involved in the accident was to blame for it.
For example, if the driver was driving over the speed limit, the driver was liable for breaking road rules. However, if the driver was wearing his seatbelt and driving under the speed limit, it can be argued that they were not to blame. If another driver’s black box indicates any lawbreaking, it can be used as evidence to hold that driver accountable for the accident.
Conclusion
Black box data is crucial in accident investigations, showing critical pieces of data like how fast the vehicle was going and whether safety equipment like airbags and seatbelts was adequate. Establishing negligence is necessary to hold someone accountable for an accident, and the black box can be used for this purpose.
