Similar to the “black box” found on airplanes, newer vehicles have incorporated the same technology.
Also known as an Event Data Recorder (EDR), the vehicle black box provides investigators with insights in the event of accidents or other incidents.
Trucking companies have realized that accessing the information stored in vehicle black boxes can help the company defend itself and its driver when accidents occur.
Here is how digital forensics is helping trucking companies:
- Accident Reconstruction
- Legal Investigations
- Driver Behavior Analysis
Accident Reconstruction
Immediately following an accident, there is a lot of confusion and finger pointing.
Especially when a four wheeler gets into an accident with a semi-truck.
Without any data, accident reconstruction depends on the stories told by the people involved. Obviously, people are biased and our memories are not reliable.
Comparatively, digital forensic experts reconstruct accidents by analyzing speed, braking, steering input, and acceleration.
This reconstruction provides crucial insights into factors like driver behavior, vehicle dynamics, and environmental conditions.
Plus, it is all data driven removed from any personal bias.
Legal Investigations
From 2010 to 2018, jury awards for crashes involving semi-trucks and cars increased nearly 1,000%. During this time, awards increased from $2.3 million to $22.3 million.
Paying for a digital forensics investigation into the vehicle black box can help a carrier avoid paying unjust claims.
By extracting and analyzing the data from the black box, investigators can establish critical timelines, corroborate or refute statements made by involved parties, and uncover evidence.
Also, the data retrieved from the black box is often presented in court by an expert. These digital forensics experts use play a pivotal role in suading juror opinions and defending carriers.
Carriers who feel one of their truck drivers is being falsely accused of an accident can bring the vehicle black box information into court to defend the company and their driver.
Driver Behavior Analysis
Driver behavior plays a significant role in the occurrence and severity of accidents.
Vehicle black boxes store factors like speed, acceleration, deceleration, and seatbelt usage over long periods of time.
After analyzing this information, forensic analysts can gain insights into patterns of driver negligence, aggressive driving behavior, or distracted driving.
Using this information, a “driver profile” is created.
Carriers that know the driver profile of the person who hit their fleet have stronger outcomes in court.
Basically, vehicle black boxes inform carriers exactly what kind of driver they are dealing with. Thus, carriers make the most informed decsions with their legal strategy.
Conclusion
Digital forensics on vehicle black boxes has revolutionized accident investigations, legal proceedings, and driver behavior analysis.
Furthermore, insights provided by digital forensics on vehicle black boxes are protecting carriers from unfair blame and having to pay egregious legal penalties.
Are you curious how your company can utilize digital forensics in your fleet? Contact Meramec Solutions today to learn more!
