The Role of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) in Truck Accident Cases
A fully loaded commercial truck can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds, far outweighing standard family cars, which typically weigh about 4,000 pounds. Motorists are at increased risk of severe or catastrophic injuries in crashes involving commercial trucks.
When these crashes occur, injured victims often turn to an experienced Bozeman truck accident lawyer to uncover the cause of the collision and pursue compensation. Truck accident cases are especially complex due to federal regulations and the number of parties involved, and in many cases, a truck’s Electronic Logging Device (ELD) provides critical evidence that can determine liability.
What Is an Electronic Logging Device In the Trucking Industry?
Commercial trucks cross state and international borders, subjecting the trucking industry to federal regulation. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) governs driving hours, truck maintenance records, cargo securing devices, truck weights, and other aspects of safety in the trucking industry.
An Electronic Logging Device is federally mandated electronic monitoring hardware. FMCSA regulations for ELDs state the following:
“The ELD rule applies to most motor carriers and drivers who are currently required to maintain records of duty status…”
The ELD installed in a commercial truck automatically logs the driver’s driving hours, replacing the older method of keeping written paper logbooks. The ELD also logs engine running time, miles driven, and location. It allows drivers to easily log their off-duty time and hours spent in their truck’s sleeper berth.
How Are Electronic Logging Devices Used In Montana Truck Accident Claims?
The trucking industry is complex. After a truck accident with injuries to other motorists, the involved insurance companies investigate the accident to determine the cause and the liable party or parties. A truck accident attorney investigates the accident with their client’s best interests as their highest priority. This requires determining the accident’s cause, identifying the liable party, and filing a claim against the appropriate insurance policy.
A truck’s ELD provides evidence of how long the driver had been on the road, how much off-duty time they had, and how many breaks they took, offering insight into whether the driver was well-rested or fatigued at the time of the accident.
Some ELDs with advanced technology also record crucial information, such as engine diagnostics, brake efficiency, the speed the truck was traveling when the accident occurred, the time the driver applied the brakes, and whether the truck departed from its lane at the time of the collision.
Proving Liability In Montana Truck Accident Cases Using ELD Data
After a truck accident, an experienced Bozeman personal injury attorney often subpoenas the truck’s ELD data as a critical aspect of the investigation. To recover compensation for an injury victim’s damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering, requires compelling evidence. The evidence must demonstrate the following:
- The at-fault party owed a duty of reasonable care to the injury victim
- They breached this duty through negligence
- The breach of duty caused injury
- The injury victim suffered damages from the injury
Recovering ELD data is often a significant factor in establishing liability for accident-related damages against a truck driver or trucking company.