If you have been in an auto accident, you may have heard about your car’s black box. What is a black box and what exactly does it do?
What Does a Black Box Do?
A black box is an event data recorder (EDR) that can help determine the cause of a motor vehicle accident and the events that led up to it. The black box data can collect all sorts of data, from vehicle’s speed to sudden turns, to airbag deployment, to whether the driver was wearing a seatbelt, or how quickly the driver stepped on the brakes. The exact data that the black box records varies from one vehicle to another. Usually, the EDR data will include five to ten seconds of data prior to a car crash.
Some new cars already have EDRs installed in them. Other drivers choose to install recording devices for their protection. For example, some drivers install a video data event recorder or dash cam. These video recorders contain more information, such as time, location, and direction.
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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a black box is “a device installed in a motor vehicle to record technical vehicle and occupant information for a brief period of time (seconds, not minutes) before, during and after a crash. For instance, EDRs may record (1) pre-crash vehicle dynamics and system status, (2) driver inputs, (3) vehicle crash signature, (4) restraint usage/deployment status, and (5) post-crash data such as the activation of an automatic collision notification (ACN) system.”
What are the Benefits of a Black Box?
A black box can help an accident reconstruction expert determine the cause of an accident or the events that led up to it. This crash data is very valuable, especially when there were no witnesses or when each driver has a different version about how the vehicle accident occurred. For example, if you are involved in a truck accident and the other driver denies fault, the EDR data may help prove your innocence.
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Some insurance companies offer programs that give you a discount on your insurance if you install a black box in your car. These programs offer discounts to people based on the miles that people drive, the times of day that a person drives, and the vehicle speed and braking style of the driver. Contact your insurance company to see if they offer a black box program if you think you are a responsible driver that has a lower risk of accident based on your driving habits.
Risks of Having a Black Box
While there are many benefits to having a black box installed in your car, there are some disadvantages that come with them also. For example, if you are a reckless driver and are at fault in an accident, the black box will also record that data.
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If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you protect your rights. Our car accident lawyers are experienced at handling car accident cases that involve black boxes.
If you are looking for a law firm with experienced car accident attorneys, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today. Our phone number is (702) 857-6000. We offer Free Consultations. Our law office is located in Henderson, but we work with clients all over the Las Vegas Valley.
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