Recorded Evidence in Commercial Truck Accidents: Importance and Impact

When a commercial truck accident occurs, gathering evidence is crucial to determining liability and securing fair compensation for victims. Unlike standard car accidents, truck accidents often involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and even third-party maintenance providers. This complexity makes recorded evidence a critical factor in building a strong legal case.

For victims in New Jersey, state laws and federal regulations play a key role in how recorded evidence is used in litigation. Understanding the different types of recorded evidence and the challenges in securing it can help accident victims take the right steps toward justice.

Types of Recorded Evidence in Truck Accidents

Various electronic and recorded data sources can provide valuable insights into what happened before, during, and after a truck accident. Some of the most important types of recorded evidence include:

• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Since 2018, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has required commercial trucks to have ELDs to track drivers’ hours of service. This data can reveal whether a driver was fatigued due to excessive driving hours, which is a common factor in truck accidents.
• Black Box Data (Event Data Recorder – EDR): Most commercial trucks are equipped with a black box that records crucial information such as speed, braking patterns, and steering inputs. This data can provide evidence of reckless driving or mechanical failures.
• Dashcam Footage: Many trucking companies install dashboard cameras to monitor driver behavior. Dashcam recordings can show whether the driver was distracted, drowsy, or engaging in unsafe driving practices at the time of the crash.
• GPS and Telematics Data: GPS tracking records can show the truck’s route, speed, and rest breaks. These records help determine whether a driver was following federal and state regulations.
• Maintenance and Inspection Records: Trucking companies must keep detailed maintenance logs. Poorly maintained trucks are a leading cause of accidents, and these records can prove negligence if faulty equipment contributed to a crash.
• Driver Qualification and Employment Records: A truck driver’s history of violations, lack of proper training, or a record of past accidents can be key evidence in proving negligence.

Importance of Recorded Evidence

Recorded evidence is often the strongest proof in a truck accident case because it provides objective, time-stamped data that can be difficult to dispute. This evidence is particularly useful in:

• Establishing Liability: Attorneys can determine whether the truck driver, the trucking company, or another entity was at fault by analyzing black box data, dashcam footage, and GPS records.
• Refuting False Claims: Trucking companies and insurers may try to shift blame onto the victim. Recorded evidence can counter these claims and demonstrate what happened.
• Proving Violations of New Jersey Trucking Laws: New Jersey follows a comparative negligence system, meaning a victim can recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault (NJ Rev Stat §2A:15-5.1). Recorded data can prove a truck driver’s responsibility, reducing the risk of the victim being unfairly blamed.
• Determining the Full Extent of Damages: Evidence such as speed data, braking records, and dashcam footage can show the severity of the crash, supporting claims for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Challenges in Securing Recorded Evidence

While recorded evidence is invaluable, obtaining it is not always straightforward. Victims and their attorneys often face several challenges:

• Trucking Companies May Withhold or Destroy Evidence: Under federal law, trucking companies must retain certain records for specific periods, but after that timeframe, they may legally dispose of them. New Jersey courts can issue a spoliation letter to prevent the destruction of evidence, but quick action is necessary.
• Access to Data Requires Legal Intervention: Trucking companies control black box and ELD data. Obtaining this information often requires a subpoena or court order.
• Interpretation of Data: Effectively understanding and using recorded evidence requires expert analysis. Attorneys often work with accident reconstruction specialists to make sense of black box and telematics data.

Victims should act quickly to consult a lawyer who can send a legal demand to preserve crucial evidence before it disappears.

Constructing a Legal Case Using Recorded Evidence

Building a strong truck accident case in New Jersey involves several steps:

• Immediate Legal Consultation: A truck accident attorney should be contacted as soon as possible to begin collecting and preserving evidence.
• Issuing a Spoliation Letter: This legal notice compels trucking companies to retain crucial records and prevent data destruction.
• Gathering Additional Evidence: In addition to recorded data, police reports, witness statements, and medical records should be collected.
• Expert Analysis: Accident reconstruction specialists, engineers, and forensic experts analyze the evidence to determine liability.
• Filing a Claim Within the Statute of Limitations: In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident (NJ Rev Stat §2A:14-2). Failing to file within this timeframe can result in losing the right to seek compensation.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurers may attempt to minimize payouts. Strong recorded evidence can provide leverage during settlement negotiations.
• Going to Trial if Necessary: If a fair settlement is not reached, attorneys can present recorded evidence in court to secure maximum compensation for the victim.

Notable Truck Accident Cases in New Jersey

New Jersey has seen several high-profile truck accident cases in which recorded evidence played a key role. One of the most well-known is the 2014 crash involving comedian Tracy Morgan. In this crash, a Walmart truck driver who had been awake for over 28 hours crashed into Morgan’s limousine. Black box data revealed the driver’s excessive speed and lack of braking, leading to a 90-million-dollar settlement (source).

Another notable case involved a multi-vehicle crash on the New Jersey Turnpike, where GPS and dashcam footage proved a truck driver’s reckless lane change caused the pile-up. The trucking company attempted to blame poor road conditions but recorded evidence secured justice for the victims.

Take Action After a Truck Accident

If you or a loved one has been involved in a commercial truck accident in New Jersey, it’s essential to act quickly. Recorded evidence can be the difference between winning or losing your case. Rosengard Law Group is experienced in handling truck accident claims and knows how to secure and utilize recorded evidence effectively.

Contact us today at (856) 284-6446 or fill out the form at the website to book a free consultation. We don’t charge any fees unless we win your case.