A commercial truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds or 40 tons, and that’s without oversize or overweight permits. To put that in perspective, the average automobile is 5,000 pounds or 2.5 tons. Additionally, they measure at about 70 feet long; however, the length can depend on the cab they are driving. It goes without saying, a truck crash is going to be significantly more devastating than a car crash. Semi tractor trailer accidents on our highways often kill the other driver or passengers involved.
Because of the severe injuries and property damage they cause, truck accidents are much more costly to the trucking and insurance companies. The truth is, truck companies know that crashes are an inevitable part of the job, and they are prepared for them around the clock. This can include anything from mobile response units to teams of lawyers on retainer.
Most regular (non-commercial) drivers aren’t expecting an accident, and they can quickly be at a disadvantage in proving negligence on the part of the truck driver. Fortunately, you have one key piece of evidence – the truck’s data recorder, or black box.
Much like an airplane, commercial vehicles also have a “black box” recorder onboard. Most semi-trucks are equipped with black boxes known as Event Data Recorders (EDR). These devices record a variety of ongoing data about the operation of the truck, including:
- Average speed
- Highest speed
- Time driven
- Time spent driving 65+ MPH
- Average engine RPM
- Seatbelt usage
- Airbag performance
- Idling time
These devices have proven to be useful in truck accident claims because they provide information on what was happening before, during, and after the accident. For example, the data can show if the truck made a hard stop, the speed and engine RPM before the stop, and if the actual driving time of the truck matches the driver’s log.
However, we cannot stress this enough; if you’re involved in a trucking accident, get a personal injury attorney deals regularly with truck accidents. The data on the EDR is only stored, on average, for about 30 days. The device is constantly recording on a loop, and it will overwrite the oldest data to make room for the new data. A lawyer can obtain a court order instructing the trucking company to preserve the data.
The Hines & Wilson Law Firm has more than 50 years of experience with trucking accident claims. Through our experience, we can fight to be sure you will receive just compensation for your damages. If you’ve been hurt , contact us. You can call us at (573) 443-4500, toll-free at (877) 473-4500, or email us info@hineswilsonlaw.com for a free and confidential consultation about your trucking accident claim.
