When a large commercial truck causes a serious accident, the evidence trail it leaves behind can make or break your personal injury claim. One of the most powerful pieces of evidence in these cases is the truck driver’s logbook—a document that records the driver’s hours, rest breaks, and other key information. At Mike Brandner Law, our Louisiana truck wreck attorneys know how to analyze these records to uncover the truth and prove when negligence caused harm.
What Are Truck Driver Logs?
Under federal law, commercial truck drivers are required to follow Hours of Service (HOS) regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules limit how long a driver can operate a truck without rest.
Drivers must maintain a logbook, now typically recorded electronically using Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), that tracks:
- Driving hours and rest breaks
- Start and stop times
- Vehicle inspection reports
- Mileage and routes taken
These truck driver logs help ensure drivers get enough rest and prevent fatigue-related crashes—but they also become critical evidence in a large truck-related accident in Louisiana. Especially should a wrongful death result.
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How a Louisiana Injury Attorney Uses Truck Logs to Prove Negligence
- Proving Driver Fatigue or HOS Violations
Fatigue is a major factor in trucking accidents. If the driver’s log shows they exceeded legal driving limits or falsified records, it can directly support your claim that the driver—and possibly the trucking company—violated federal safety rules.
- Establishing Negligence by the Trucking Company
Trucking companies are responsible for monitoring their drivers’ hours and ensuring compliance. If the logs reveal the company ignored violations or encouraged drivers to stay on the road longer than allowed, a Louisiana truck accident lawyer will work to prove negligence to strengthen your injury case.
- Corroborating Other Evidence
Logbooks can be compared with GPS data, fuel receipts, and weigh station tickets to confirm a driver’s actual location and timeline. Discrepancies often expose falsified records, helping to build credibility for your version of events.
- Proving Liability Beyond the Driver
Sometimes, truck driver logs reveal systemic issues—such as unrealistic delivery schedules or poor maintenance routines—that point to company-wide negligence. This can expand liability beyond the driver to the carrier itself.
- Reconstructing the Timeline of the Crash
The driver’s log helps establish the driver’s condition, work hours, and fatigue level leading up to the accident. Combined with accident reconstruction, it paints a complete picture of how and why the large truck wreck occurred.
- Preserving Logbook Evidence
Trucking companies are only required to keep log data for a limited period—usually six months. If you wait too long, crucial evidence can be destroyed. That’s why it’s vital to contact an attorney immediately after a truck accident. Your lawyer can send a spoliation letter to preserve the truck driver’s logs, ELD data, and other key records before they’re lost.
How Mike Brandner Law Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
At Mike Brandner Law, our 18-wheeler accident team knows how to uncover and analyze electronic truck driver logs, dispatch records, and other digital evidence to prove negligence. We work with expert witnesses and crash reconstructionists to hold trucking companies accountable.
If you or a loved one were hurt in a truck wreck, don’t wait. Let us help you get the JU$TICE you deserve.
Call 504-345-1111 or 985-345-1111 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.