Proving what happened in a car accident requires evidence. Fortunately, modern vehicles often hold a critical piece of evidence that can help support your claim: black box data.
If you’re pursuing a car accident claim and intent to use black box data, contact our Castle Rock car accident lawyer at Casares Injury Law for experienced legal guidance. Schedule a free consultation today.
What Is a Vehicle’s Black Box?
Most newer vehicles (especially those built in the last 15 to 20 years) come equipped with an Event Data Recorder (EDR), often called a “black box.” Similar to the devices used on airplanes, black boxes in vehicles record technical information about the car’s operation before and during a crash.
Depending on the manufacturer, black boxes may capture data such as:
- Vehicle speed
- Brake application
- Throttle position
- Steering input
- Airbag deployment
- Seatbelt usage
- Force of impact
This information is typically recorded in the final moments leading up to a collision and immediately after the crash.
How Black Box Data Can Help Your Injury Claim
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, black box data can serve as objective evidence that supports your version of events. It can clarify what happened and help establish liability.
Here are several ways black box data can strengthen your case:
1. Proving Fault
Black box data can show whether a driver was speeding, failed to brake, or made sudden or unsafe maneuvers before the crash. This data helps establish negligence and may prove the other driver was responsible for the accident.
2. Supporting or Challenging Witness Testimony
Eyewitnesses don’t always remember events accurately, especially after a traumatic crash. Black box data provides hard facts that either support credible witness accounts or correct inconsistencies in the story.
3. Identifying Vehicle Defects
Sometimes, a mechanical failure (e.g., brake failure, unintended acceleration, etc.) contributes to a crash. Black box data can reveal whether the vehicle was operating properly.
4. Defending Against False Accusations
If the other party or their insurer falsely claims you were speeding or driving recklessly, black box data can help you defend yourself. The recorded data can show your actual speed, braking behavior, and other relevant information leading up to the crash.
5. Demonstrating Crash Severity
Information like airbag deployment and impact force can support your car accident injury claim in Castle Rock. This data helps justify the severity of your injuries and the compensation you’re pursuing for medical expenses, pain, and other damages.
Accessing and Preserving Black Box Data
It’s important to act quickly to preserve black box data after a serious crash. In most cases, the vehicle’s owner controls access to the data. Your legal team can help you secure this data.
If you’ve been in a collision:
- Notify your car accident lawyer in Castle Rock immediately so they can take steps to preserve the data
- Avoid making repairs or disposing of the vehicle until your attorney accesses the black box
- Don’t allow the insurance company to inspect or remove the data without first consulting your attorney
Often, attorneys consult accident reconstruction experts to help download and interpret the data. This information is then combined with physical evidence, police reports, and other details to build your claim.
Is Black Box Data Admissible in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado courts generally allow black box data as evidence, provided it’s obtained legally and authenticated properly. Additionally, it must be relevant to the issues in the case (speed, braking, airbag deployment, etc.).
That’s why it’s critical to work with a skilled Castlerock car accident attorney who understands the evidentiary requirements for using black box information in court.
If you were hurt in a crash, contact our Castle Rock car accident attorney, Dale G. Casares, at Casares Injury Law as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin gathering evidence for your case.