How Oklahoma Truck Accident Lawyers Use Black Box & ELD Data to Prove Negligence

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were nearly 3,000 truck crashes reported in Oklahoma in 2024, resulting in over 1,300 injuries and 108 fatalities. Serious truck accidents can be catastrophic and cause major physical, emotional, and financial distress for crash victims and their families. Subsequently, the period after these crashes can be full of uncertainty and anxiety, and leave victims wondering whether there will ever be accountability in their case.

When a commercial truck is involved in a serious accident, it can be incredibly difficult to determine exactly how the crash unfolded and who should be held responsible. Thankfully, most modern 18-wheelers are equipped with event data recorders (EDRs) and electronic logging devices (ELDs) that can be used to capture and store crucial digital evidence in the moments before, during, and after a crash. Let’s take a closer look at the role EDRs and ELDs can play in a truck accident claim and explore how incorporating this data into a personal injury case can help victims maximize the value of their fight for accountability.

What is a truck black box?

A truck’s “black box” is a frequently-used nickname for an event data recorder (EDR). This is a kind of device that collects operational data about a vehicle while it is in use. EDRs are similar to the black boxes used in airplanes, as they are often used to provide a detailed snapshot of what a truck was doing in the seconds leading up to a collision.

Some of the data typically recorded by EDR/black box devices includes:

• Speed
• Brake usage
• Sudden acceleration or deceleration
• Seat belt use
• Steering input
• GPS location

All of this data can serve as the basis for accident reconstructions and clarify factors that may have contributed to a crash. If the data captured by an EDR suggests that a driver was speeding, steering erratically, or otherwise acting negligently at the time of a crash, the injured victim may be able to build a stronger case for liability and a more comprehensive claim for compensation.

What is an ELD?

An electronic logging device (ELD) is another key digital tool in commercial vehicles. ELDs are mandated under federal law as part of ongoing efforts to track and enforce drivers’ hours of service (HOS). Because driver fatigue has been shown to contribute significantly to the incidence of truck accidents in the United States, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration specifically limits the amount of time drivers can spend behind the wheel and establishes certain requirements for breaks and rest periods during and between shifts.

If ELD data shows a driver exceeded the amount of legally-permissible driving hours or failed to take required breaks, the driver and/or their employer may be found liable for a crash and may open themselves up to both professional and legal consequences.

EDR and ELD data in practice: Personal injury claims

In high-stakes truck accident cases, black box and ELD data can be crucial evidentiary components for victims seeking to establish liability. In Oklahoma, negligence plays a vital role in establishing whether or not a truck driver can be held liable for an accident, and the data collected by these devices can help to paint a clearer picture of their level of responsibility.

Under Oklahoma law, accident victims seeking to file a claim against a truck driver must be able to demonstrate that:

1. The truck driver owed them a legal duty of care
2. The driver violated that duty of care via their actions or inactions
3. The accident victim suffered identifiable harm in the crash
4. The harm the victim suffered was the direct result of the driver’s breach of care

Because truck drivers are subject to stringent regulations on both state and federal levels, violations of established regulatory requirements may constitute a violation of a driver’s established duty of care and serve as the basis for a personal injury claim. If EDR or ELD data supports a victim’s claims of negligence, that data might just be the cornerstone of a successful claim for compensation.

How do Oklahoma truck accident attorneys use black box and ELD data?

Many truck accident victims rely on the expertise of personal injury attorneys to help them navigate the complexities of the personal injury claims process. You should expect your truck accident attorney to be experienced and confident with using black box and ELD data to support their clients’ claims and add context and veracity to a personal injury claim.

Truck accident attorneys can use EDR and ELD data to:

• Reconstruct an accident using speed, brake, and GPS records
• Reliably dispute a trucking company’s version of events
• Claim that a driver violated HOS requirements
• Confirm or challenge driver testimony
• Enhance the credibility of expert witnesses, eyewitnesses, and victims
• Support claims of mechanical issues or driver error

When paired with other forms of evidence like witness statements, dash cams/traffic camera footage, and police reports, ELD and EDR data can help attorneys build seamless cases that offer a clear, credible picture of an accident and its impact.

How to access truck black box data

While black box and ELD data are often vital pieces of evidence in truck accident cases, these devices are typically controlled by trucking companies, who tend to be hesitant to share information with crash victims and their legal teams. In some cases, data may even be deleted or overwritten if a claim is filed weeks or months after a crash, so it’s important for accident victims to move quickly to recover this vital evidence.

A trusted and qualified Oklahoma truck accident attorney can help victims access and safeguard this information by sending a preservation letter to the trucking company in question shortly after a crash. However, it is important for accident victims to reach out to a lawyer as soon as they are able to do so in order to ensure the data connected to their case does not disappear. An experienced attorney knows how vital ELD and EDR data can be in a complex truck accident case and will be able to take the necessary steps to access and preserve all evidence in a timely manner.

Looking for an attorney who understands trucking technology?

Not all law firms are equipped to handle the intricacies of truck accident litigation. Because these cases often involve complex federal regulations, multiple sources of liability, and aggressive corporate defense teams, it’s vital that accident victims work with an attorney who has experience representing clients in truck accident cases and leveraging the power of digital forensics for case success.

At the law firm of Cunningham & Mears, we understand that every second counts when working to take on a commercial truck driver or their employer. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our team knows exactly what it takes to help clients access, evaluate, and incorporate EDR and ELD data throughout a truck accident claim in order to create a more compelling case for compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Oklahoma City or the surrounding areas, our legal team wants to hear from you. Give us a call today or fill out our online contact form for a free case evaluation and discover why Cunningham & Mears is known for delivering comprehensive legal support that puts people first.