Following a serious commercial truck accident in Wisconsin, critical evidence that can make or break your personal injury claim may be found within the vehicle's Electronic Control Module (ECM), commonly known as the "black box." This sophisticated device records vital data about the truck's operation in the moments before and during a crash, including speed, brake application, steering inputs, and engine performance. When properly analyzed, this data can provide compelling evidence to establish liability, reconstruct the accident sequence, and validate injury claims. The black box data becomes particularly crucial in cases involving questions of driver fatigue, compliance with hours-of-service regulations, or mechanical failures. Understanding how to properly preserve, access, and interpret this data is essential, as it can significantly impact the outcome of your personal injury claim and potential settlement negotiations with insurance companies.

Legal Rights and Considerations

In Wisconsin, parties seeking black box data must act quickly due to the state's three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims (Wis. Stat. § 893.54). A formal request to preserve ECM data should be made immediately following the accident, as federal regulations only require carriers to maintain certain records for six months. Wisconsin courts generally recognize black box data as admissible evidence when properly obtained and authenticated. Insurance considerations typically involve multiple parties, including the trucking company's liability insurance, the driver's personal coverage, and potentially cargo insurers. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Punitive damages might be available if the data reveals particularly egregious conduct, such as deliberate violations of federal safety regulations.

Types of truck accident lawyers include:

• Green Bay 18-wheeler crash attorney(link is external)
• Green Bay Amazon truck collision law firm(link is external)
• Green Bay commercial truck collision lawyer(link is external)
• Green Bay fatal truck crash attorney(link is external)
• Green Bay big rig accident lawyer(link is external)
• Green Bay box truck accident attorney(link is external)
• Green Bay delivery truck accident law firm(link is external)

Related Resources

Wisconsin Circuit Courts:

• Dane County Circuit Court
• Milwaukee County Circuit Court
• Waukesha County Circuit Court

Support Services:

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation Crash Reports Unit
• Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin
• Wisconsin State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service

Regulatory Resources:

• Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations
• Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles Commercial Vehicle Section
• Wisconsin State Patrol Motor Carrier Enforcement Information

Return to the Wisconsin commercial truck regulations information page