Stress is an everyday ailment for many truck drivers across the country. However, with new technology, truck electronic logs can provide much needed information about the time and miles truck drivers actually drive.
One of the leading causes of commercial truck accidents is the pressure and fatigue truck drivers face on a daily basis. Many truck companies require their truck drivers to drive many miles in a day and drive for numerous hours trying to meet almost impossible deadlines.
It is not unheard of for commercial truck companies to ask their employees to break federal laws in order to make deliveries on time. Many times, these companies threaten their jobs if the drivers don’t comply.
Current Federal Laws
Per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commercial truck drivers are required to keep a written log of all activities that include miles and driving time, including rest stops and time for sleep. Truck companies must maintain these records for six months for potential inspection in the event of a commercial truck crash.
In addition to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requirements, a bill was introduced and passed as federal law called “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” (also known as MAP-21). This law requires all commercial trucks to carry a working electronic logging device (ELD). Drivers must also still keep written logs.
These truck electronic logs are crucial in commercial truck crash cases and providing needed information in order to adequately compensate the victim.
Understanding Truck Electronic Logs
Truck electronic logs essentially track everything the commercial truck does and does not do — including the purpose of the trip, also called RODS. The logs also provide compliance data for hours of service requirements, also known as HOS. Truck electronic logs are able to track this information by connecting to the engine and tracking its use and non-use.
Because each truck electronic log is connected to the engine, tampering with the data is virtually impossible.
In addition to purpose of the driver’s duty and the hours of service, the truck electronic log can also record the following data:
- Driving Time: Federal law states that in a 14-hour period, a commercial driver can only drive for 11 hours and must take a 30-minute break every eight hours.
- Total Weekly Working Hours: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires commercial truck drivers to work no more than 70 hours every eight days. Once this threshold is met, the commercial driver must rest for a minimum of 34 hours.
- Total Miles: The truck electronic log tracks the total number of miles the truck drives in every 24-hour period.
- Idle Periods: The truck electronic logs will track the total number of hours the truck has been idle or parked.
- Inspection Reports: If there has been any malfunctions in the commercial truck, the ELD will track this data as well as the vehicle ID, maintenance reports, and inspection reports.
- Driver Behavior: More sophisticated truck electronic logs track whether the driver was speeding during certain periods, swerving, or engaging in hard or fast braking.
- GPS: Again, more sophisticated truck electronic logs will include GPS functions that allow drivers to pick the fastest routes and log locations at certain times.
Proving Negligence
Truck electronic logs can be extremely useful in commercial truck crashes. Most of the time, the victims and the drivers do not remember the details of a crash.
However, with truck electronic logs, very important information can be gathered and used to prove negligence. For example, if the driver had been driving longer than he should have, if the driver was speeding right before the crash, or if a malfunction was detected, but not repaired.
These important pieces of technology reveal exactly how the truck was operating and the driver’s behavior.
Violation of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations provides objective evidence that can be used to prove negligence in your case. This evidence can be extremely useful in a lawsuit, trial, or settlement negotiations.
Inspecting the truck electronic log is not the only tool your personal injury attorney can use. Comparing the written log of the truck driver against the truck electronic log can provide insights as to whether the written report has been altered or fraudulently completed. This can further undermine the commercial truck company’s case.
Due to the complexity of commercial truck accidents and the importance of truck electronic logs, it is imperative to retain a Tulsa personal injury attorney right away to begin the process.
Free Consultation with a Tulsa Personal Injury Attorney
Consulting with an attorney as soon as possible in the event you are injured in a commercial truck crash is very important in order to preserve your rights, protect you from the insurance companies, preserve the truck electronic logs, and obtain a fair settlement. An attorney can pursue a claim against the commercial truck company, and advise you on what you are entitled to in a personal injury settlement.
Hiring a knowledgeable and experienced Tulsa personal injury attorney will ensure the process is expertly conducted and your interests are well represented.
Contact an experienced Tulsa personal injury attorney when you need to go through the Oklahoma personal injury civil process.
For a free, confidential consultation, call 918-924-5528 today.
