Many people are familiar with onboard data recorders referred to as “black boxes” that offer critical information to investigators following a plane crash. These black box data recorders also known as Event Data Recorders (EDR) provide information that can be invaluable in reconstructing the cause of a collision. Federal safety authorities are considering making EDRs mandatory on new automobile sold in the U.S. When a serious Mississippi auto accident occurs, it can sometimes be difficult to reconstruct what occurred in the mass of twisted metal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering requiring an EDR feature for new cars that would store driving information and record a final snapshot in the event of a collision.
This requirement would make it much easier for those who suffer serious injury in a Mississippi car accident to establish the circumstances that caused their car accident. There are many issues that are commonly disputed in personal injury litigation involving motor vehicle accident cases which an EDR might make it easier to establish including:
- Sudden braking
- Speed immediately prior to collision
- Equipment failure or malfunction
The information provided by an EDR device installed on a vehicle involved in a Mississippi collision may provide critical evidence on fault and causation that permits an injury victim to obtain compensation for serious injuries. When a vehicle occupant is involved in a Mississippi car accident, the medical and rehabilitative costs associated with catastrophic injuries may easily reach into six figures. This type of life-altering injuries may also mean the loss of one’s ability to work and provide for one’s family. Because of these enormous financial challenges, any strategy that preserves evidence to help properly establish liability for causing such injuries promotes fairness and justice.
The value of requiring black boxes in new motor vehicles will also continue to grow in value as more electronic components and systems are used by vehicle manufacturers. Black box technology will provide a way to identify failure of such electronic components much like those that were suspected to be behind Toyota sudden acceleration accidents. Because black box technology is not yet standard, there was enormous dispute over the cause of sudden acceleration accidents with Toyota claiming the cause was driver error or issues with floor mats while plaintiff’s argued that the cause was a product defect in the electronics of vehicles.
If you are injured in a Mississippi car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. The experienced Mississippi teen car accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing aggressive representation to Mississippi car accident victims for over 75 years. We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.