When a large truck is in a crash, it can cause serious damage. People in smaller cars often get hurt the most. After something like this happens, it is important to find out what went wrong. One of the most important tools in these cases is something called a black box. You may not have heard much about black boxes, but they are very important for learning what happened before, during, and after a truck accident.
What is a Black Box in a Truck
A black box in a truck is a small device that collects data. This device is also called an Event Data Recorder, or EDR. It is like the black boxes used in airplanes. The EDR stores information about how the truck was moving. It records speed, braking, how long the truck was running, and if the driver made sudden turns or stops. Some black boxes also keep track of how long the driver had been on the road and if they had taken the required breaks. This data helps tell the story of the crash, especially when people involved remember things differently or are too hurt to talk.
How Black Box Data Helps After a Crash
Right after a truck accident, the police write down what they see. They talk to drivers and people who saw what happened. But people may not remember things clearly. A black box does not forget. It shows facts, like if the truck was going too fast or if the driver hit the brakes at the last second. It also tells if the driver was wearing a seatbelt or if cruise control was on. All these details can be very important if someone is badly hurt and needs to be paid for their injuries. Insurance companies and lawyers look at this data to help figure out who was at fault.
Michael Phillips
Attorney
Marcel McCrea
Attorney
Natalie Andruczyk
Attorney
Why Black Boxes Are Trusted in Investigations
People often tell different stories about what happened in a crash. A truck driver might say they were driving safely. A driver in another car may say the truck came out of nowhere. The black box helps clear up these questions. It gives facts from the truck itself, not opinions. Because of this, black boxes are trusted by courts and lawyers. They are used to show if a truck company followed the law. For example, if a trucker drove too many hours without a break, the black box might show that. This can be very helpful when a person hurt in a crash is asking for help or money to cover medical bills.
What Black Boxes Can and Cannot Do
Black boxes give lots of helpful information, but they do not show everything. They do not take pictures or video of the crash. They cannot say what a driver was thinking. They do not show if the driver was texting or falling asleep. But they can show things that point to problems. If the black box shows that the truck was speeding or changing lanes fast, it may be a sign of careless driving. Some black boxes also have GPS. This can show where the truck was before the crash and how long it had been driving.
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Getting Black Box Data Before It’s Lost
One important thing to know is that black box data can be lost or written over. Some devices only keep data for a short time. After a crash, it is important to act fast. Lawyers often ask for the truck’s black box to be saved so that no one deletes the data. This is called preserving evidence. Sometimes, trucking companies may not want to share the black box data, especially if they think it will hurt their case. A court can make them turn it over, but only if someone asks soon enough. That is why time is so important after a truck accident.
How Lawyers Use Black Box Data in Court
In a courtroom, both sides try to show what happened in the crash. One side may say the truck driver was tired or speeding. The other side may say the car cut in front of the truck. The black box can help clear things up. Lawyers often use this data to work with people who understand truck safety. Together, they look at the data and explain what it means. They may show charts or graphs that help a jury understand how fast the truck was going, when the brakes were hit, and how long the driver had been working. This can make a big difference in how the case ends.
North Carolina Rules About Truck Accidents and Evidence
In North Carolina, the law allows people who were hurt in a crash to ask for money if someone else was at fault. But there is a rule called contributory negligence. This means if a person who got hurt also made a mistake, even a small one, they may not be able to get money. Because of this, showing who was at fault is very important. Black box data can help show that the truck driver broke the rules or was careless. This kind of proof is often what makes or breaks a case.
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Trucking Companies and Their Role in These Cases
Truck companies are supposed to make sure their drivers are safe and follow the rules. They must train drivers and check that their trucks are working properly. If they do not, and someone gets hurt, they can be held responsible. Black box data may show that a driver was going too fast or working too many hours. It might also show that a truck had a problem, like faulty brakes. If the company knew about the problem and did nothing, they may be blamed for the crash.
What to Do if You Were in a Truck Crash
If you or someone you love was in a crash with a big truck, you may be confused or scared. It is normal to feel this way. After you get medical help, the next step is to understand your rights. You may not know if the truck had a black box or how to get that information. That is where having someone with legal knowledge helps. They can ask for the black box data, look at it, and help show what really happened. The sooner you act, the better the chance that the black box data can be saved and used to help your case.
Why Time Matters in a Truck Accident Case
Waiting too long can be a mistake. In North Carolina, there is a time limit to file a case. This is called the statute of limitations. If you wait too long, you might not be able to get help, even if the truck driver was at fault. Black box data also does not stay around forever. If it is not saved quickly, it can be lost. That is why people should act soon after an accident, especially if they were badly hurt or lost a loved one.
How Black Box Data Can Help You Get Justice
Being in a truck accident can change your life. You may have medical bills, lost time at work, and pain that doesn’t go away. If the truck driver or company caused the crash, you should not have to pay for their mistake. Black box data can help show the truth. It can be the key to proving that the driver or company broke the rules. This can help you get the money you need to heal and move on.
If you or someone in your family has been hurt in a truck accident in North Carolina, you do not have to face this alone. The team at Phillips & McCrea, PLLC is here to help. We understand how black boxes work and how to use that data to protect your rights. Call us today to learn how we can help you get the answers and support you need.
