Most people have heard of a black box when watching the aftermath of a plane crash where the investigators are searching for or have secured the black box. A black box is formally known as an event data recorder or EDR. It is a device installed in most automobiles that have been recently manufactured to record information related to vehicle crashes and accidents. There are different methods of recording. For instance, some black boxes constantly record and then record over a loop of perhaps a matter of minutes. Other black boxes start recording when the vehicle senses a rapid decrease in the speed or a change in the direction of the wheels. Whatever triggers the recording of event data to the box, it is extremely important information that is available to plaintiffs to help them win their case.
Does your personal injury lawyer even know that automobiles have black boxes and that the information contained in it may be crucial to your case? That answer depends on how experienced your lawyer is and how familiar he or she is with accident reconstruction. As explained herein, accident reconstruction is an extremely important part of the personal injury case.
We have experienced many cases where there are no independent witnesses and both drivers have conflicting versions of what happened in the accident. The information contained in the black box can and has been used to totally refute a driver’s “story”. The black box data is now being used in our courts as evidence to help the court determine who is at fault in an accident.
In cases where there are serious injury or death it is extremely important to analyze the black box data with the help of a forensic engineer. That investigation and information will undoubtedly help build the case against the defendant.
Make sure that after a serious accident that you secure your vehicle and do not allow it to be destroyed before the data on the black box is downloaded and available to be reviewed by your lawyer and the forensic engineer. This may be a step that wins the case for you.
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