Truck drivers are required to keep log books detailing the amount of time they spend on the road, on duty, off duty, and in the sleeper berths of their trucks. The primary purpose of the log is to track compliance with and violations of Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. Truckers also keep receipts for fuel, records of mileage, and other information about their trips.
Many trucking companies encourage their drivers to falsify log entries in order to get around HOS and meet unrealistic schedules. Trucking companies are responsible for monitoring their drivers and making sure that they comply with federal trucking laws.
One of the most basic steps in a trucking accident lawsuit is getting the trucker’s log. Of course, we look for recorded violations of HOS, but we do not rely on these entries alone. We also compare the information in the log with other data to determine if the log book entries were falsified. Other data can include receipts which are date and time stamped, information from the truck’s electronic control module (like the black box in an airplane), satellite tracking information when it exists, and other records maintained by the trucking company.
The experienced trucking accident attorneys of Wayne Grant, P.C., know which records to request, and more importantly, how to read, interpret, and compare these records to get a clear picture of what was really going on when your accident occurred.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a trucking accident, please contact us today. Your initial consultation is free, and we work on a contingency fee basis so you don’t pay unless you get paid.
