Does a Truck Have a Black Box? 

 Posted on May 27, 2025 in Truck Accidents

If you have been badly injured in a truck accident, you may be inundated with bills and expenses from your medical treatment. This could only get worse if you are unable to return to work while you recover from your injuries. However grim your situation may seem, you may have an avenue to get paid through a personal injury claim. An Illinois truck accident attorney can represent you in a claim for compensation after a collision with a commercial tractor-trailer.

Building a case for a truck accident claim requires a strong foundation of evidence. One of the most crucial pieces of evidence in your claim may be the truck’s black box data. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can take steps to recover any available data to strengthen your case.

What Is a Black Box?

A black box (also called an event data recorder) is a device installed in most vehicles that stores data of various inputs from the driver. This includes data about steering, brake usage, throttle position, and more.

In the absence of video footage or witness testimony, an event data recorder can help to reconstruct the events leading up to the accident. However, interpreting the data from a black box can be extremely difficult without an attorney at your side. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can review black box data to get a better idea of how the crash occurred, indicating who was at fault for the collision. In past cases, we have helped clients recover millions of dollars from successful settlements and verdicts in truck accidents, so we know what to look for when handling these claims.

Other Evidence in a Truck Accident Claim

Securing the black box data from a crash can be incredibly valuable for your claim. However, you may need more tangible evidence to prove that the truck driver was at fault for the collision. Our attorneys are experienced in gathering crucial evidence to support personal injury claims from the scene of a crash.

If there are traffic or security cameras near where your accident occurred, we will fight to access the footage to support your case. We can also document the aftermath of a truck collision by taking pictures of all of the vehicles involved in the accident. We might examine the debris on the road, as it can give us a better idea of the angle at which the crash occurred. Skid marks on roads are also useful in helping to complete the picture of what happened. Witness testimony, especially the official police report, can help to indicate who caused the accident.

How Can I Preserve Black Box Data From a Truck Crash?

Getting the black box data from a truck is easier said than done. Keep in mind that truck companies and their insurers will likely do everything they can to avoid paying for your damages. This means that they are incentivized to discard any evidence that would implicate them for the crash – like black box data that shows a truck excessively speeding or failing to brake.

Thankfully, there are measures that an attorney can take to help preserve black box data and other crucial evidence. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can send a letter of spoliation to the trucking company, notifying them of their obligation to preserve evidence relevant to your accident. This can be critical for securing proof for your claim that might otherwise be swept under the rug.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Illinois?

Personal injury claims for commercial truck accidents tend to be more complex than the average car crash. This is because commercial truck accidents often involve multiple liable parties who could be made to answer for your injuries, rather than just one driver and his or her insurance company.

The first liable party is usually the truck driver. A simple act of carelessness behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer can have disastrous consequences for everyone else on the road. Drunk driving or driving while fatigued can endanger other motorists, along with other careless behaviors like excessive speeding or erratic lane changes.

Under Illinois’ vicarious liability law, the trucking company can also be held responsible for the actions of a trucker. The commercial trucking company could also be named at fault for not vetting or properly training new hires. Third-party companies might also have played a role in the accident. For instance, if the truck experienced a mechanical failure that led to a crash, the maintenance company or manufacturer could be held liable. If the cargo on the truck came loose and fell, causing a disastrous accident, a cargo-loading company could be held accountable. There are many possibilities in such cases, which is why it is crucial to have an experienced lawyer on your side exploring all angles.

How Can a Black Box Prove Who Was at Fault for an Accident?

The black box data could point to the fault of various parties, including:

• The Truck Driver: Black box data can show a driver’s speed, steering, and braking leading up to the collision, which could point to reckless driving habits.

• The Company: A truck’s black box could show how long a truck driver was on the road, possibly showing that the driver was overworked to the point of fatigue, maybe even in violation of hours of service regulations.

• Third Parties: If the truck’s brakes or steering malfunctioned, the black box data could prove that the truck had not been properly maintained.

Can My Case Be Settled Without Going to Trial?

Many truck accident claims can be settled without the need for courtroom litigation. However, this may depend on the liable parties being willing to cooperate. It is not uncommon for trucking companies to attempt to deny responsibility for an accident, leaving crash victims in the cold. If it comes to that, going to trial may be necessary for getting the compensation you deserve.

Additionally, an initial settlement offer may not be enough. Though an offer of several thousand dollars may seem enticing, the first offer rarely represents what you are legally entitled to for your claim. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can gauge the value of your claim so that we can negotiate with confidence on your behalf.

Meet With a Joliet, IL Truck Accident Lawyer

If you have been hurt in a collision with a commercial truck, do not despair. At Schwartz Injury Law, our Will County, IL personal injury attorneys are here to provide you with aggressive representation to fight for the payment you deserve. We bill all cases on a contingency fee basis, so you will only pay if we win your case. Call our offices at 708-888-2160 to schedule a free consultation today.