Truck accidents on Chicago’s busy highways can change lives in an instant. If your loved one has been injured in such an incident, you may be searching for ways to prove what really happened. In these complex cases, a powerful tool that may get overlooked is the truck’s black box.
When accidents occur, determining fault can be challenging. The truck’s black box provides critical, objective evidence about what happened before the collision.
What is a truck black box?
Many modern trucks have black boxes, officially called electronic control modules or event data recorders. These devices record valuable information about the truck’s operation, including:
- Speed
- Brake use
- Steering
- Engine RPM
- Seat belt use
- Driving time
This data objectively records what happened before, during and after an accident.
How black box data affects your case
The information from a truck’s black box can significantly influence your case by:
- Showing fault: Data on speed or sudden braking can help prove driver negligence.
- Challenging statements: Records can confirm or disprove witness accounts.
- Revealing maintenance issues: Long-term data might show poor truck upkeep.
- Proving driving time violations: The device can show if a driver worked longer than legally allowed.
Illinois law requires trucking companies to keep this data for a certain time after an accident. However, they might try to erase or change it, so quick action is crucial.
Challenges in getting black box data
While black box data is valuable, obtaining it isn’t always easy. Trucking companies may resist sharing this information. Consult an auto accident lawyer who knows the technology and the law to help secure this evidence and strengthen your case.
Illinois law generally allows a two-year window from the accident date to initiate legal proceedings. Gather evidence, such as black box data interpretation, much sooner.
By understanding what truck black boxes can provide and acting quickly to preserve this evidence, you’re taking an essential step in pursuing fair compensation and accountability for your family.
