Trucking Accident: The Black Box

Due to the level of liability held by trucking companies, most commercial vehicles carrier what is commonly referred to as a black box or Engine Control Module (ECM).  Like in commercial aircraft, these devices record and store data about the vehicle that they monitor.

Three of the most common accidents caused by truck drivers are: failure to stay in the proper lane; failure to maintain a proper speed; and braking in time to avoid an accident.  All three of these issues are generally recorded by the ECM.  Most devices also record tire pressure, average speed, how much pressure was applied to the brakes, if the driver was wearing a seat belt, correspondence between the driver and the dispatcher, how long the vehicle has been operated and the gps location where the accident happened.

This information is useful to both parties.  It helps the accident reconstructionists determine how the accident happened and who was at fault.  If you fail to examine this information, you will depend upon the trucking company’s insurance carrier to present the information.  Do not let this be the only voice in investigating the accident.