A fully loaded tractor-trailer in Oregon can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds (40 tons). When a crash happens, the consequences can be devastating. A thorough investigation of every truck accident is a must. At the Law Offices of Jon Friedman, we have extensive experience fighting for truck accident victims. Our firm helps people get access to all relevant evidence, including black box data. Here, our Portland semi-truck accident attorney provides an overview of black box data in truck accident cases in Oregon.
What is a Commercial Truck Black Box?
Most commercial trucks are equipped with a “black box.” You may also hear it referred to as an event data recorder (EDR) or an engine control module (ECM). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains that a black box is a device in a vehicle that records technical information about the vehicle’s operation, including data leading up to and during a crash. Black box data typically includes details about:
- Speed;
- Braking; and
- Engine performance.
How Black Box Data Can Be Used in a Truck Accident Case
Black box data can be relevant for a commercial truck accident claim in Oregon. The information that you can get from a black box can tell you a lot about what happened to cause the crash. Here are some key details that may be available through black box data:
- Speed and Braking: The black box records the vehicle’s speed and brake usage at the time of impact, and that can be truly vital information for assessing fault in a crash.
- Hours of Service Compliance: The data can show whether the driver was in compliance with federal hours-of-service (HOS) rules.
- Identification of Sudden Maneuvers: Black box data may reveal if the driver made erratic or evasive maneuvers. The moves could suggest distracted, impaired, or dangerous driving.
- Verification of Location: Many black boxes include GPS data, helping to confirm the truck’s location and route.
Our Portland Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get Access to a Truck’s Black Box
After a serious crash with a commercial truck, you should take action to get your hands on all relevant information, including the vehicle’s black box electronic data. Truck companies are supposed to keep these records, but they may not want to willingly turn them over. Our Portland truck accident lawyer can send a spoliation letter. The letter is a formal legal notice demanding that the trucking company preserve all potentially relevant evidence, including black box data. We will take immediate action to ensure that you have access to what you need to prove fault.
Contact Our Portland, OR Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer Today
At the Law Offices of Jon Friedman, our Portland semi-truck accident attorney has the experience you can trust. If you have questions about black box data, we are here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. With an office in Portland, we handle truck accident cases throughout the region, including in Bend, Eugene, Grants Pass, Medford, and Salem.
