Black Boxes

A “black box” or “event data recorder” (EDR) is a small electronic device that is present in many cars and trucks. The device stores various data captured by the vehicle’s computer in the seconds before an accident takes place. In the event of a crash, black boxes can provide crucial evidence in establishing what happened and assigning blame.

The type and extent of data recorded depends on the particular black box. Types of data black boxes may record in motor vehicles include the speed at which the vehicle was traveling, engine RPM, forward velocity, brake application, airbag deployment, and whether the seat belts were engaged. Unlike an airplane black box, which records conversations in the cockpit, a motor vehicle black box is not capable of recording sound.

It is vital that the data from a black box is analyzed by someone who understands the data’s significance and can piece it together to form a full picture of the accident. An experienced data does this by using the data from a black box as well as other evidence collected about a crash (such as tire marks on pavement, vehicle crash damage, and eyewitness accounts) to recreate the moments leading up to a crash.

Prevalence of Black Boxes

Black boxes have been installed in some passenger vehicles since at least 1996. Most new vehicles sold in the United States today are equipped with black boxes. Unfortunately, some new passenger vehicles do not have black boxes. Similarly, there are many other, older vehicles that lack the technology on the roads.

Black boxes are more common in commercial trucks and have been installed in most USA manufactured trucks since the 1990s.

There is currently no requirement that new motor vehicles come equipped with black boxes. However, the NHTSA requires vehicles manufactured that include black boxes to capture the following data:

• Vehicle speed (5 seconds before impact)
• Engine throttle – was accelerator down (5 seconds before impact)
• Brake usage (5 seconds before impact)
• Change in velocity / “Delta-V” (up to 3 seconds after impact)
• Safety belt status for driver
• Frontal airbag deployment for driver and right front passenger
• Number of crash events
• Time between crash events
• Whether the EDR completed the recording

Even when a vehicle is equipped with a black box, there is no guarantee the data will be recovered. In some instances, it may be impossible to recover data because of an electronic failure, damage to the device, or some other problem.

Preservation of Black Box Data

Black box data may be overwritten if the vehicle is driven following an accident. Therefore, recovery of black box data after an accident must be done as soon as possible. An attorney can help make sure this data that may be useful to your case is not destroyed by the other party through inadvertence or in bad faith. The Law Offices of Richard A. Hricik work with experts to ensure that all data is recovered from black boxes. We are also experienced in recreating the conditions that led up to an accident and putting together convincing and visuals to tell your story. If you have been involved in an accident, contact the Law Offices of Richard A. Hricik to preserve your rights.