Video Telematics in Truck Accident Cases

After a truck accident, it’s crucial to understand precisely what happened so you can build a strong claim for compensation. Many commercial trucks are equipped with video telematics systems that record what the truck and driver were doing in the moments leading up to a crash. This data can provide robust, objective evidence to help prove fault and protect your rights.

After a tractor-trailer crash in Pasadena, you need an attorney who understands how to analyze telematics data and use that information to build the strongest case possible. Put the Law Offices of Pius Joseph to work for you. For more than 35 years, our firm has represented truck accident victims in some of the most complex cases. Firm founder Pius Joseph is an accomplished personal injury lawyer with a track record of recovering millions in truck accident verdicts and settlements for the wrongfully injured.

Contact us today for a free consultation with a seasoned Pasadena truck accident lawyer.

What Is Video Telematics in Truck Accidents?

Video telematics refers to technology that combines video cameras with telecommunication and informatics data from a vehicle. Many modern commercial motor vehicles have sensors and computers that record various operational details, such as GPS location, speed, braking, acceleration, or wheel position. Commercial trucks may store video telematics data in computers within the vehicle, similar to the black box used on airplanes. Alternatively, trucks may upload data using cellular or satellite connections.

Video telematics systems may record specific events, such as sudden braking, aggressive acceleration, speeds that exceed regulations or posted limits, or the use of emergency brakes or hazard lights. The system can create a record that combines video from external or internal cameras with sensor data to provide a more comprehensive picture of what happened during the collision.

Why Video Telematics Matters in Pasadena Truck Accidents

Video telematics can play a significant role in a commercial truck accident case. Telematics data can provide objective evidence of what a commercial truck did in the moments leading up to a collision. This data can corroborate an accident victim’s account of the crash, contradict a trucker’s account, or fill in gaps in the parties’ recollections of the accident.

How Telematics Data Helps Establish Liability

Telematics data in truck accidents can provide a wealth of information to help establish liability in a Pasadena truck accident claim. For example, the data may show that a truck driver suddenly accelerated or braked right before a collision. Data can also show the truck’s speed and the position of the steering wheel right before a crash. Telematics data may also help indicate whether a truck driver followed safe driving practices, such as signaling before turning.

Video footage captured by telematics systems may also corroborate or contradict witness or driver testimony in a truck accident case. For instance, in an intersection accident, a truck driver might claim they had a green light, but exterior camera footage from the truck could show the light was red, helping establish liability for the crash and your resulting truck accident injuries.

Types of Telematics Evidence in Pasadena Truck Crashes

Telematics can record various aspects of a truck’s operations, such as:

• Times of engine activity, including idling time
• Braking, including the timing of brake application and the force applied to the brakes
• Accelerator position
• Selected transmission gear
• Steering wheel angle (if recorded by the system)
• GPS location
• Vehicle speed
• Airbag deployment (from the truck’s safety system)

Preserving and Requesting Telematics Data

Video telematics systems may preserve data and footage in various ways. Some systems may retain data on the vehicle’s computers until a party downloads it. Other systems may back up data automatically via cellular or satellite connections.

After a truck crash, you should act quickly to ensure that the trucking company preserves telematics data from the vehicle. Your truck accident attorney can send a spoliation letter requesting that the company put a litigation hold on the telematics data, preventing its deletion as part of its standard record retention policies.

As part of the investigation into the truck accident, your attorney may ask the trucking company to produce a copy of the telematics data from its truck. However, the company may decline to voluntarily hand over this data, especially if it knows or suspects that the data contains unfavorable information. As a result, you may need to file a truck accident lawsuit and ask the court to compel the trucking company to produce the telematics data during discovery.

Impact of Telematics Evidence on Truck Accident Compensation

Telematics evidence of a truck driver’s negligence can strengthen a crash victim’s case and improve their chances of recovering compensation for their injuries. Potential compensation available in Pasadena truck accident cases includes money for:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Other accident-related expenses, such as travel to and from doctors’ appointments
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Vehicle repair or replacement

Role of a Pasadena Truck Accident Lawyer in Handling Telematics Data

Analyzing and incorporating telematics data effectively in a Pasadena truck accident claim can be a game-changer in the pursuit of fair compensation. However, it is a complex process. An attorney can help by:

• Determining whether the truck involved in the crash had video telematics equipment
• Sending litigation hold requests to the trucking companies to preserve data from deletion
• Filing discovery requests to obtain a copy of the telematics data
• Working with technical experts to review data and integrate it into the evidence supporting your injury claim

Get Help From an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney

Collecting video telematics from a truck accident in Pasadena can be a valuable tool in building a powerful personal injury claim. At the Law Offices of Pius Joseph, we know how to use telematics to craft a claim seeking maximum compensation for your losses.

In our 30+ years of practice, our firm has earned a reputation for taking on tough injury cases and obtaining meaningful results for victims of catastrophic truck accidents. Contact us today for a free, initial consultation with an experienced Pasadena truck accident attorney.