What You Should Know About Black Boxes in Cars

You have likely heard of an airplane’s black box, which records flight data that is useful when investigating the cause of a crash. Many cars have similar devices called event data recorders (EDRs) that serve the same purpose. Black boxes in cars can provide crucial information about a driver’s speed, steering, braking, and other actions right before a car accident.

Many motorists do not know about black boxes in cars, which may cause them to overlook a vital source of crash data. Knowing who controls this data and how to use it in a car accident claim is critical.

Do All Cars Have a Black Box?

No federal law requires every car to have an event data recorder (EDR). However, today, most automakers include them voluntarily.

Generally, newer cars are more likely to have black boxes installed, particularly if they are from the last decade or have advanced safety systems. Older cars, especially those made before the early 2000s, are less likely to have one installed.

Many trucking companies use black boxes on commercial vehicles to monitor a truck driver’s actions and how a particular vehicle is performing on the road.

What Information Can You Get from a Black Box in a Car?

The type and amount of information a car’s black box stores vary based on the vehicle’s make, model, and the specific configuration of the EDR. Some black boxes record only a few details, while others capture a wide range of data.

Due to privacy concerns, most black boxes record only a few seconds of data when activated. Still, even basic records can offer valuable insights into what happened before and during a car crash. Some examples of data a car’s black box could record include:

• Vehicle speed at the time of impact – Speed data can help show whether a driver was speeding when the collision occurred.
• Brake application – Data on when and how hard the driver applied the brakes can reveal if they tried to avoid the crash or failed to react in time.
• Vehicle throttle position – Throttle data can show whether the driver was accelerating, coasting, or slowing down, which can support or challenge claims about aggressive driving.
• Steering inputs – Black box data can help illustrate whether a driver attempted to swerve or correct the vehicle before the crash, which may indicate whether the driver was distracted or impaired.
• Impact severity and direction – Knowing how fast the car was going and which side took the hit can support forensic recreations of how the crash happened.
• Airbag deployment timing – Such data can confirm whether the car’s airbag system functioned as expected. If the airbag deployment data shows something did not work correctly, that information could indicate a mechanical defect in the vehicle.

Who Can Access a Car’s Black Box Data?

In most cases, a car’s owner or the person leasing it can access the vehicle’s black box data, typically with the help of a trained automotive technician. Others usually cannot retrieve EDR information without the vehicle owner’s or lessee’s permission unless a court orders it.

Insurance companies, law enforcement agencies, and car accident attorneys may seek the data during an investigation. Typically, they need consent or a subpoena.

Mechanics or crash reconstruction experts can extract black box data using specialized tools, but again, they need legal access. A judge may allow access even without the owner’s consent if the vehicle is part of a criminal or civil case.

How Could a Black Box Be Used in My Alabama Car Accident Claim?

Data collected by an EDR can provide valuable evidence about a driver’s actions or a vehicle’s performance before and during a crash. EDR data is beneficial if no eyewitnesses can testify about what happened or there is no surveillance footage of the crash.

For example, if the other driver claims they were driving under the speed limit, but the black box shows they were going 85 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone, that evidence could help you prove negligence. Or, if someone accused you of slamming on your brakes without warning, the black box data might show you braked gradually and tried to avoid the crash. Such information helps create a clearer picture of how the accident happened.

What Is Needed to Access the Other Driver’s Black Box Data After an Accident?

After a collision, you must meet two requirements to access another driver’s black box data. On the technical side, you need the right equipment, which typically means taking the car to a dealership or mechanic.

You also need the legal authority to review the other driver’s black box data. You can obtain this authority by seeking a court order. It will be up to your car accident lawyer to convince a judge why the other driver’s black box data is necessary for your car accident lawsuit.

How Long Can It Take to Retrieve Black Box Data?

Retrieving black box data can take a few hours to several days. A trained technician with the proper equipment can usually download the data quickly if the vehicle is accessible. However, the process can take longer if the car is badly damaged, stored in an impound lot, or legal or insurance issues delay access to the black box.

What matters is that you act quickly after a crash to preserve the other car’s black box data. Otherwise, the data might be lost if the vehicle is repaired, crushed, or salvaged for parts.

What Is Black Box Insurance?

Black box insurance, or telematics insurance, involves an insurance company using an electronic device to monitor driving habits. The device tracks things like the driver’s speed, braking, mileage, and the times of day the motorist uses the vehicle.

Insurers use this data to assess driving risks more accurately. If you are a safe driver, you may qualify for lower premiums. However, this coverage is not without risks, as the insurance company will have detailed data on your driving habits. Think carefully about the trade-off before opting for black box insurance.

Contact an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer at Gartlan Injury Law

At Gartlan Injury Law, experienced Alabama personal injury lawyer Aaron Gartlan and our legal team always put our clients first, including conducting thorough investigations to support their claims. If you recently suffered injuries in a car accident in Dothan or elsewhere in Alabama, we can help you seek black box data and pursue full and fair compensation.

Contact us now for a free case review from an experienced car accident attorney.

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