Can Your Vehicle’s “Black Box” Help with Your Auto Accident Claim?

When you’re trying to get compensation for a car accident, it’s all about having enough evidence. That can be difficult when it feels like it’s your word against the other driver’s. They say that they checked their blind spot and you sped up to hit them as they merged lanes, but you know that they changed lanes and drove directly into your vehicle. They say their light was green, but you know for a fact you had the right of way.

Fortunately, technology is making it easier and easier to prove your side of the story. Your car’s black box can clarify what happened during a crash. To discuss your crash in greater detail, call Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell to set up a consultation. Reach their Chatom office at 251-847-2237 or their Bay Minette office at 251-651-0483.

What the Black Box Records

You’ve likely heard of a black box in reference to airplane crashes. However, the majority of cars produced after 2014 are now equipped with black boxes, also known as event data recorders or EDRs. When you are involved in a crash, the EDR records a wide range of data about what happened immediately before, during, and after the collision. Some of the data it tracks includes:

• If seatbelts were in use
• If the airbags deployed
• If the vehicle was working at the time of the crash
• The force of the crash and how long the crash lasted
• Any warning signals that turned on during the crash
• The timing of each crash if you hit multiple obstacles
• Your driving, including your speed, steering, acceleration, and braking habits

Some cars come with an EDR integrated into a dashcam. This provides additional information about the specific location of the crash, what you would have seen before and during the accident, and which direction you were going.

The Accuracy of an EDR

Event data recorders are extremely accurate. They only keep records for about five to ten seconds before an accident and a few seconds after a crash, and everything is recorded precisely during that time. The data acquired from black boxes have been used to figure out what caused a crash, analyze driving habits and concerns, and determine proper insurance rates for drivers.

How the EDR Can Work for or Against You

Since the EDR is a neutral recorder of car crashes, whether or not it helps your claim comes down to what type of driver you are. If you were reckless before the crash or contributed to the accident, you can expect the black box to reveal that. But if you did not cause the crash and the other driver is denying all liability, it’s likely that the EDR will back up your side of the story.

It’s difficult to know exactly how an EDR will affect your claim without getting it checked out. If the insurance companies are having a hard time figuring out what happened and no one is budging, your attorney might look into having your EDR analyzed by an expert. This may provide additional insight into the crash and answer important questions.

Using the Black Box to Your Advantage

To make full use of the data on your black box, you will need to talk to an attorney. The EDR is a complicated component, and you can’t just extract its data and use it to prove your side of the story. It needs to be accessed and utilized by an expert if you want it to help your accident claim. By working with a trustworthy car accident attorney in Chatom, you can feel confident that they will use every piece of evidence available to them to build your case.

Choose Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell for Your Car Accident Claim

Are you ready to start your personal injury claim? If so, the team at Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell is ready to begin investigating your accident and your injuries. Let’s set up a time to talk and discuss your accident. To have a team member reach out to you, fill out our contact form online. You can also call our Chatom office at 251-847-2237 or our Bay Minette office at 251-651-0483.