Car black boxes, also known as EDRs, can be invaluable tools in accident reconstruction cases. Their data recordings may reveal information such as your speed at impact and pedal positions such as throttle or brake pedal positions and steering angles.
Knowledge is power – understand how your black box operates and who has access to its data will protect both your rights and that of others in case of an accident.
What is a black box?
Assuming you don’t own an extremely old vehicle, yours has likely been fitted with a “black box,” officially referred to as an “event data recorder”. These devices have been in use since 1994 on airplanes and now feature as standard in many vehicles.
A black box records data immediately prior, during, and following an accident that can help lawyers and law enforcement identify what caused it. Although people may worry that access to their data might be misused in ways they do not benefit from, retrieving this information requires either court authorization or other specific circumstances.
Checking the laws in your state regarding accessing Black Box data is vital, since legislation could change as more cars incorporate this technology and methods of analysis become available. You could contact your lawyer and see if they have experience in this area; the National Conference of State Legislatures provides a helpful list of state-specific black box laws here.
Does my car have a black box?
Black boxes can play an invaluable role in helping to process an insurance claim after an accident has taken place, providing invaluable evidence regarding whether driver error caused the incident or mechanical issues with your vehicle contributed.
If your car is relatively recent, chances are high it contains a black box. These devices have been utilized by major US carmakers like Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac since 1994 and now mandated in all cars manufactured after 2014.
However, not just anyone can gain access to black box data. Information stored within crash data recorders can only be downloaded using an accident data retrieval system which costs upwards of $20,000. This device is available to your car manufacturer, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and law enforcement, but they must obtain your permission or court orders before legally accessing it.
How do I know if my car has a black box?
Most cars manufactured today come equipped with event data recorders – commonly referred to as black boxes – for recording events during car trips. If yours doesn’t already, chances are it soon will and there are plenty of insurers offering telematics policies at more reasonable rates.
These devices resemble airplane flight recorders in that they display car data such as speed, throttle position, brake application, airbag deployment, seatbelt use and steering angles approximately 20 seconds prior, during and after an accident. This information allows police and insurance companies to understand more fully the causes of accidents while strengthening claims.
Black box data can be immensely valuable, yet some car owners worry that its access could compromise them in ways that do not serve their own best interests. Luckily, current legislation makes it extremely difficult to gain access to EDR information without court permission and there are products designed to lock diagnostic ports on cars for additional privacy protection. You should review state laws carefully to fully comprehend what information resides on your black box device.
What are the benefits of having a black box?
Installing a black box could save money on car insurance premiums. It measures your driving behavior and rewards conscientious drivers with lower premiums. Furthermore, having one installed can make you a safer driver as insurers often factor data such as speeding or wearing of seatbelts at the time of an accident into their calculations.
Black boxes also provide benefits to other people; black boxes could help establish liability in road accidents by providing data such as throttle position, braking behaviour, airbag deployment and seatbelt usage as well as GPS location if your car has been stolen.
Contrary to what some may believe, having a black box in your car does not interfere with how it operates or impact its warranty. There are various myths associated with black boxes; including they devalue cars or may cause engines to stop functioning altogether.