Black Box (EDR) Data in Truck Accidents: Why It Matters and How We Preserve It

Authored by Bradley A. Pistotnik — well-known and highly experienced Wichita truck accident lawyer; author of the book “Truck Accidents Kill,” and an authoritative speaker on trucking safety.

Coverage: Wichita Metro (Sedgwick County & surrounding communities) and Western Kansas — defined here as any county west of a north–south line that runs ~10 miles east of Topeka, bounded by Nebraska (north), Oklahoma (south), and Colorado (west).

What the Data Shows

• Vehicle speed, throttle, brake application, and engine load near the event.
• Sudden deceleration events and fault codes tied to braking or stability systems.
• Time-stamped logs that can be aligned with ELD and camera footage.

Who Controls the Data

• Motor carriers typically control tractor ECM/telematics and ELD records.
• Trailer-mounted telematics and third-party cloud video may exist separately.
• Salvage yards and repair facilities can inadvertently destroy data without a hold.

Preservation Steps

• Immediate spoliation letters demanding ECM/telematics retention and inspection access.
• Coordinated downloads with neutral protocols and chain-of-custody documentation.
• Early vehicle inspection (photogrammetry, crush analysis) before repairs or salvage.

For detailed guidance on steps after a crash, see What to Do After a Truck Accident in Wichita.

Injured in a truck crash in Wichita or Western Kansas? Call Bull Attorneys for a free, confidential consultation. We move fast to send spoliation letters and preserve black-box, ECM, and telematics evidence. 24/7. 316-684-4400.