No matter how carefully you drive, accidents can still happen. Black boxes have given insurers more insight with instant data. They can do more than just measure how well you drive, these little devices are completely changing the way in which accidents are investigated.
Does a Black Box record an accident?
Yes, a black box can identify an accident and will record it. The black box measures G-force and so will recognise the force of an impact on your car if it’s over a certain amount. This data can be used by your insurer to understand what happened.
A black box is really useful if you’ve been in an accident and the other driver won’t accept liability, even if it was their fault. You’ll be able to check the data with your insurer who can tell you how fast you were going, the impact force, what time you were driving, and where the accident took place. This can help to build a case if you believe you were not in the wrong.
What to do if you have a car accident and have a Black Box installed
If you have been involved in a car accident with another driver, stop your car, turn off your engine and then switch on your hazard lights. This will make other drivers aware of what has happened and reduce the chances of another collision happening.
Check that you and any passengers in your car don’t have any injuries. Then, check the driver of the other car is okay. Only leave your vehicle if it is safe to do so though.
Remain calm and don’t say sorry or accept responsibility unless you are certain it was your fault. We understand that any kind of accident can shake you up, so it’s important you take deep breaths and try not to lose your temper.
Next, if your cars are causing an obstruction in the road, you should call the police. A patrol car can come and assist with moving them. If not, move onto exchanging details with the other driver, these include:
- Their name and address. If the accident has caused damage to the car or injury to anyone, then you must get the names and addresses of everyone in their car.
- Insurance information - Ask who they’re insured with and the type of insurance they have. Make a note of this in your phone so you don’t lose it.
You should also take photos of the cars. This includes any damage and how the cars are positioned, plus a picture of their number plate for reference later. You should also take photos of any injuries you may have later. If you don’t have access to a phone, make a note of the model, make, colour and the number plate.
If there’s any confusion over who is responsible, you can speak to your black box provider or telematics insurer who may be able to piece together who caused the collision.
A black box is a remarkable thing to have - not only to help you personalise your insurance premium, but also to support you with evidence if you have an accident. You can check out the other benefits or read our guide on how black boxes work.
Correct at the time of publication. Information in this article has been gathered from various sources, therefore WiseDriving cannot be held responsible for any view or opinion expressed herein.
