How A “Black Box” Or Event Data Recorders Can Help Your Auto Accident Claims?

An event data recorder is relatively a very tiny device. The device’s purpose is simple, to document and store the events that lead to and after an unfortunate car accident. Most of these devices begin recording at least five seconds before and after an accident. If you program the device correctly, it will record during the accident too. 

Source pool

The event recording device will record vehicle information such as speed and system status for an in-depth analysis of the accident. It will also capture the restraint used to assess the situation better. However, you would be surprised to know that these parameters do not involve audio or video involved.

Many of these data event recording devices will play an event in a continuous loop. The event will continuously record over one another if the recording involves any sort of collision. The device is programmed to store five seconds of data automatically related to the accident. Due to minimal storage space, the devices will overwrite events to fill in the remaining information.

EDR placement

Sometimes, these event data recording devices, or EDR for short, are called the black box. The so-called black boxes are recording devices stored in airplanes that record communication between the tower and pilot. These devices are critical for assessing events that led to a plane crash. It helps determine who was responsible for colossal human lives and financial loss. However, event data recorders are not black boxes, even though they may be referred to as such. You will discover these EDRs are planted in the airbag control of the car.

The reason they are installed in the airbag is, so they activate when the car faces impact. When the airbags are deployed, it automatically activates the airbag.  However, car manufacturers realize these tiny devices are more valuable than storing mere five seconds of information with recent developments in technology and health and safety standards.

Versatility 

The event data records have been programmed to record 15 types of crashes. The minute little device is more talented than it seems. You do not need to install different types of EDRs to capture each type of accident. This saves mass-scale expenditure by the manufacturers and the local personal driver who wishes to install these devices for security purposes.

Following are a few of the particulars the EDR captures:

  • Car or vehicle’s speed
  • Front seat events
  • Crashes and their frequency
  • Airbag deployment
  • Crash event duration
  • Engine revs per minute
  • Size of the occupants
  • Duration of the accident
  • Steering wheel data
  • The angle the vehicle rolls or flips

Depending on the manufacturers and the make of the car, the event data recording devices can be used to store beneficial information. Moreover, car manufacturers are not allowed to disclose the information for obvious security purposes. If disclosed, the information can be manipulated, deleted, or misrepresented, resulting in the acquittal of the responsible party.

Controlled extraction process

The information on the data recorder is only accessible with the Bosch crash retrieval tool. The hardware and software combined use very unique protocol-embedded tools to extract the information. The data is downloaded afterwards and stored in the control modules.

The data downloaded is in codes, so separate software converts it into visual aids such as graphs and tables that are easily understandable by everyone. 

About 

The Baumgartner Law Firm is an injury law firm that practices in the Houston vicinities. The firm’s credibility has grown over the last 35 years of hard work and dedication for fair justice. The law firm works closely with the Super Lawyers, Top Truck Accident Lawyers, and other associations. 


You may be interested in: Cloud Security for the Modern Business