The consequences can be devastating if your car collides with an 80,000-pound commercial truck. Each year, thousands of Mississippi motorists face life-altering injuries from these crashes, leaving them with mounting medical bills and lost wages. The road to recovery often involves proving the truck driver or company was negligent, a challenging task when it’s your word against theirs.
What many victims don’t realize is that most modern commercial trucks carry their own witness to the crash. The electronic control module (ECM), commonly called the “black box,” records critical data about how the truck was operating before, during and after the collision.
What truck black boxes record and why it matters
The black box in commercial trucks captures vital information that can reveal the true story behind an accident. Most of these devices track the truck’s:
- Speed
- Braking patterns
- Hours of operation
- Fuel consumption
- Clutch use
- Cruise control usage
- Tire pressure
- Engine temperature
ECMs can also help identify mechanical problems, airbag issues, and even whether the driver was wearing a seat belt. This information can be crucial after an accident for many reasons. For example, if a truck driver claims they weren’t speeding, but the ECM shows the vehicle traveling at 75 mph in a 55 mph zone, this evidence can help decide your case.
The data also reveals how long the driver has been behind the wheel. Federal regulations limit driving time to prevent fatigue-related accidents, but some drivers falsify their logbooks to drive longer hours. The black box can’t lie, as it records actual engine operation times that can be compared against driver logs. Recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data shows that driver fatigue contributes to nearly 13% of commercial truck crashes.
Acting quickly to preserve this crucial evidence
You have a narrow window to secure black box data after your accident. Most ECMs only store information for about 30 days before being recorded over. More concerning, in many states, trucking companies legally own this data and can erase it unless a court orders them not to.
Black box data isn’t just helpful for proving fault. It can also demonstrate the severity of impact, supporting your claims about injury severity. When the ECM shows a truck suddenly decelerating from 65 mph to zero, it helps explain the significant forces your body endured during the collision.
After a truck accident, the company often sends investigators to the scene immediately. While you focus on medical treatment, they’re already working to minimize their liability. This is why contacting a skilled truck accident lawyer promptly is essential. Experienced attorneys can send a preservation letter demanding that the company maintain all electronic records.