Have you been injured? you may have a case. GET A FREE CONSULTATION

Hard Braking Event Explained

November 5, 2017 by Steven M. Gursten

Hard Braking Event Explained

After my presentation at the American Association for Justice Truck Accident Litigation Seminar in Dallas, Texas, about how to give effective opening statements and closing arguments at trial in 18-wheeler truck wreck cases, a question was asked by one of the attendees:

“What is a hard braking event?”

That is a great question! Especially for newer attorneys, or even seasoned attorneys who are new to truck accident litigation, it’s great to know this data may be out there.

What is hard braking?

The most common threshold for identifying a hard braking event is where there is a sudden decrease in the 18-wheeler’s speed by 7 mph or more within one second. However, the threshold can range anywhere from 1 mph to as high as 15 mph.

A hard braking event is recorded in a commercial truck’s “black box,” which gathers data about the truck’s operation – such as the vehicle’s speed, throttle position, clutch position status, cruise control status, engine load, engine RPM, brake status during the 20 minutes prior to a sudden decrease in speed.

But a word from the wise: This event data can be easily overwritten if the truck is driven and any subsequent braking event, or some other trigger event occurs.

This is one of the many reasons why it’s so critical to get out and inspect the truck as soon as possible and to send a spoliation letter. If you do not, the truck could be moved and erase all that critical information, which will impact your ability to help your clients.

Don’t Get Caught Up In The Fine Details

It’s very easy to get caught up in the fine details and complex issues that go part-and-parcel with any truck accident litigation. When you have the privilege of traveling around the country teaching other truck accident lawyers, sometimes to get that simple question like, “what is a hard braking event?”, serves as a  reminder that truck wreck cases are extremely complex. But the whole case truly does start with the basics and grows from there. So, for all the younger lawyers or attorneys who are just getting into trucking, learning about the truck black box is a great place to start.

The truck black box is an untapped field that many attorneys still don’t know very much about. The truck black box is one of the very first things a truck accident lawyer can look into. The black box investigation can level the playing field against the trucking company and its rapid response team. The first thing any attorney should do after a big crash is to get your expert out to inspect the truck as quickly as possible, and download the black box data (without causing spoliation), which can tell the story of what the 18-wheeler was doing in the moments leading up to the wreck.

Injured in truck accident? Call the attorneys at Michigan Auto Law

If you were injured in a truck accident and want an experienced lawyer to investigate data recorded from a hard braking event call now (855) 781-7747 for a free consultation with one of our experienced accident attorneys. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

Michigan Auto Law is Michigan’s largest and most successful law firm that specializes exclusively in helping people who have been injured in auto accidents.

Our secret? Our attorneys deliberately handle fewer cases than other personal injury law firms.  This allows us to focus more time and attention on our cases.

Unlike other law firms, our attorneys are never too busy to promptly return phone calls and answer questions. 

We have more than 2,000 5-Star Reviews that reflect this care and attention to detail.

More importantly, this client-focused approach leads to better and faster settlements for our clients. Michigan Auto Law has recovered more million-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for motor vehicle accidents than any other lawyer or law firm in Michigan. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported car accident and truck accident settlement in the state.

Call now so we can start making a real difference for you.


Hard Braking Event Explained
Related Posts
Michigan School Bus Traffic Laws: What You Need To Know
Michigan School Bus Traffic Laws: What You Need To Know
February 4, 2025
Does Health Insurance Cover Car Accident Injuries?
Does Health Insurance Cover Car Accident Injuries?
February 3, 2025
How Medical Bills Are Paid After A Car Accident: Who Pays?
How Medical Bills Are Paid After A Car Accident: Who Pays?
January 31, 2025
2 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share
Pin2
Email