The United States Department of Transportation (“DOT”) may adopt a rule, which was proposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) that would require automakers to equip new cars with event data recorders (“EDR”) that would gather vital information in the event of an automobile accident. The DOT wants to require EDRs for heavier automobiles and eventually expand the requirement to lighter vehicles as well.

EDRs would essentially perform the function that “black boxes” do in airplane crashes. These devices record key items of aircraft performance data, such as air speed, altitude, and control settings, and are designed to be rugged enough to survive a crash. Data collected by these devices has proved to be of enormous value in analyzing the cause of aircraft crashes, and in designing mitigation strategies. Similarly, an EDR would gather information while a car’s engine is running, such as the vehicle speed, braking activity, engine RPMs, motorist’s use of turn signal(s) prior to accidents, and even seat belt use.

Proponents argue that EDRs are important because liability can sometimes be difficult to determine in automobile accidents, especially when issues of fault are disputed and eyewitnesses are lacking or unreliable. The information recorded will most likely help investigators determine who was at fault for an accident, by determining if the driver was negligent, if there was an automobile defect or if the accident occurred because of hazardous conditions. The information gleaned from an EDR may assist investigators in reconstructing an automobile accident.

EDRs and their advanced technology may prove extremely useful in motor vehicle accident litigation, but they will not replace the need for an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney will use all available resources to demonstrate the harm suffered by each client and assess and determine the present and long term medical care needs of each client. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, please call the attorneys at Patel & Williams, PLLC. Our attorneys will utilize all of the tools in their arsenal to fight for your rights. Please call today for a free consultation.