Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | March 13, 2025 | Car Accidents
Chances are that you’ve heard of a “black box.” Traditionally, this term referred to an electronic logging device installed in aircraft to capture crash and flight data. However, most modern vehicles also have black boxes. These devices collect important data in the seconds preceding, during, and after a car accident.
Does your car have a black box? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is a Black Box?
A black box or event data recorder (EDR) is an electronic device that is installed in motor vehicles to record occupant and technical data in the seconds immediately before, during, and after a collision. Black boxes may record the following information:
- Driver inputs (i.e., braking)
- Vehicle crash signatures
- Restraint usage
- Airbag deployment status
- Pre-crash dynamics (i.e. speed)
- The activation of an automatic crash notification system
Black boxes are designed to capture valuable information about a crash to aid in accident investigations. Entities such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) use black box data to improve traffic safety and conduct research on accident trends.
What Does a Black Box Do?
Event data recorders document key details about a crash. However, they are not continuous recording devices. EDRs capture data only during significant events, such as sudden hard braking or collisions.
The amount of time that black boxes collect data may vary. Some may only record information for a couple of seconds before a crash, whereas others may go back 10-20 seconds.
Does Every Car Have a Black Box?
Most modern vehicles, including commercial trucks, have event data recorders. However, vehicle manufacturers are not mandated to install black boxes in their vehicles.
In 2012, NHTSA proposed making EDRs mandatory on all new cars and trucks sold in the United States. In 2019, NHTSA withdrew the proposal because automakers voluntarily installed EDRs in nearly all new vehicles.
If your vehicle is less than ten years old, there’s a good chance it has a black box. To find out, you can:
- Check the owner’s manual
- Look for disclosures in the technical specs/documents
- Contact the manufacturer directly
If your vehicle does not have a black box but you would like to capture data about your driving habits, you could invest in a dash camera. Many dash cameras have crash detection capabilities and can automatically record and save clips in the event of an accident. A dash camera can provide valuable evidence in the event of a crash and help protect your rights.
How Can Black Box Data Be Used?
Black box data is often used in accident investigations and insurance claims. If you are injured in a crash and hire an attorney to seek compensation, they may use EDR data to support your claim.
Commercial trucking companies can also use black box data to identify if one of their drivers behaved negligently in a truck crash.
Who Can Access Black Box Data?
The vehicle owner has primary control over the data captured by their EDR. However, certain parties may obtain access. Here are a few scenarios:
- Law enforcement with a court order
- Insurance companies during claim investigations
- Legal teams representing involved parties
If you are hurt in a crash and need to obtain the black box data of the other driver, you’ll need to speak to a personal injury attorney.
Can Black Box Data Be Used Against a Driver?
Yes, law enforcement or attorneys could technically use black box data against a negligent driver.
For instance, if you were struck by another vehicle and believe the other driver was distracted, your attorney could subpoena the black box data to identify the other driver’s inputs in the seconds immediately preceding the crash.
If the data shows that the other driver ran through a red light and never even touched their brakes, your attorney could use that information to support your claim for compensation.
Keep in mind that your black box data could be used against you in a criminal or civil case as well. For example, if you file a personal injury claim against an at-fault driver following a car accident, the other party and their attorney may use your black box data to demonstrate that you contributed to the crash.
The good news is that Nevada follows a comparative negligence rule. This means you are not barred from seeking compensation as long as your share of the blame is less than 51%. If you were 30% at fault and recovered compensation, your compensation would be reduced by 30%.
Can Black Box Data Help After a Car Accident?
Absolutely. Black box data is invaluable in the aftermath of a car accident. If you suffered personal injuries due to another party’s negligence, an attorney can use the other driver’s EDR data to support your claim. During a review of black box data, your attorney will look for the following:
- Speed at the time of impact
- Braking and other driver inputs
- Seat belt usage
- Airbag deployment
- Steering input
Your attorney may also review your black box data to verify that you were wearing a seat belt. Reviewing your vehicle’s event data recorder can also help disprove negligence on your part.
How To Use EDRs And Other Devices To Protect Yourself
Event data recorders are a standard feature on nearly all new vehicles sold in the United States. However, they are not the only means of obtaining important information about vehicle crashes. Mobile applications and aftermarket dash cameras are great tools for documenting the facts surrounding a crash and protecting yourself from allegations of negligence.
Remember, no one plans on getting in a crash. That’s why it’s important to protect yourself by investing in tools that can document your driving behaviors before, during, and after a collision. Every detail matters in a crash. The more information you can present, the better your odds of protecting your rights and holding the other party accountable.
Contact the Henderson Car Accident Lawyers from Cogburn Davidson Car Accidents and Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help Today
For more information, please contact our Henderson car accident attorneys at Cogburn Davidson Car Accidents and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Clark County and throughout Nevada:
Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Las Vegas
2300 W Sahara Ave Suite 800-816, Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 996-4786
Open 24 hours
Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Henderson
2580 St Rose Pkwy Suite 330, Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 541-9766
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