What role do event data recorders play in truck accidents?

Tractor-trailers are substantially larger and heavier than sedans, pickup trucks and SUVs. In fact, according to J.D. Power, a semi-truck with a full trailer may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. As a result, it is not difficult to understand why collisions with trucks can cause catastrophic injuries for ordinary drivers and their passengers.

If you have suffered a life-limiting injury in a collision with a tractor-trailer, you may be eligible for significant financial compensation. Still, to receive your fair share, it may be necessary to assign fault for the accident. Securing the truck’s event data recorder can be extremely helpful.

What is an event data recorder?

Sometimes called a black box, an event data recorder is a computer component that records real-time information about the truck’s operations. While not all trucks have event data recorders, many do. If the truck that collided with you has a recorder, you may find out the following information:

• The position of the truck and its steering wheel at the time of the crash
• The position of the truck’s brake pedal and accelerator
• The truck driver’s use of his or her seat belt
• The truck’s maintenance history

These details can be valuable for determining exactly why your accident happened. They also might help an independent investigator reconstruct the events leading up to your crash.

Why must you act quickly?

It is important to understand that truckers and trucking companies may be able to tamper with or even delete information in a truck’s event data recorder. As a result, it may be necessary to take prompt legal action to prevent the destruction of critical crash-related details.

Ultimately, if you can obtain and examine the truck’s event data recorder, you might have a greater chance of receiving the financial compensation you need to put your life back together after your catastrophic truck accident.