What is a “Black Box” and How Does it Affect My Accident Lawsuit?

Automobile accidents between two cars are common, but it is accidents that involve commercial trucks that are sometimes the most devastating. Any time that a truck is involved in an accident, you can expect there to be the interest of the trucking company and its insurance company in the event that there is a lawsuit following it. One tool that plays a factor in truck-related accident lawsuits is the black box. What is a black box and exactly what role does it play in the case?

A black box is a device that every commercial truck has that relays information to the trucking company to keep track of the truck. This information includes not only GPS and speed, but also tire pressure, time and distance traveled, and any sudden braking or unusual movements. Companies can use this to gauge the performance of their drivers, but it can also be used as evidence in an accident lawsuit.

For example, if a truck driver crashes into another vehicle, the black box will reveal if they tried to suddenly brake or swerve. This information can either be beneficial or detrimental to the case, depending on what it reveals. Ideally, a black box would reveal that the driver was in some way negligent and therefore would help your case as a person injured in the accident. It can, however, have the opposite effect and prove that the driver was doing everything correctly and therefore hinder or hurt the case. 

In either case, the usage of a black box adds an extra layer of complication to an already difficult to navigate personal injury case. Whenever you are injured as the result of an accident, it is always a good idea to work with an attorney to help you navigate the case and see that it ends in victory. To learn more about how we at the Franco Law Firm can serve you in this role please call us at (813) 872-0929 and schedule a free consultation with us today.