What Is a Truck Driver’s Travel Log?
Being involved in a truck accident can be a devastating experience. A truck accident can result in severe and debilitating injuries. If you or your loved one has been in a truck accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. If the accident can be linked to the truck driver’s negligence, they or their trucking company may be held liable and made to pay compensation. When pursuing your claim, you will need evidence that can help prove the truck driver’s negligence. The truck driver’s travel log can be strong evidence of negligence. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you should contact a qualified truck accident attorney who can help investigate and obtain the truck driver’s travel log.
What Is a Truck Driver’s Travel Log?
Truck drivers have a huge responsibility when operating their 80,000-pound vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established several rules regarding how many hours a trucker can drive, when truckers should take rest or sleep breaks, and how many hours a truck driver must spend off-duty. For instance, according to the FMCSA, truck drivers can drive a maximum of 11 hours after being off duty for ten consecutive hours. After being off-duty for eight straight hours, a driver can drive a maximum of 10 hours.
Truck drivers must maintain travel logs to show compliance with FMCSA rules. Truck drivers are required to record the distance traveled, the number of hours spent driving, off duty, and rest or sleep breaks. A travel log also contains identifying information, such as details about the truck’s cargo, the carrier’s name, the license plate number, and shipping information. Truck driver logs must include all the hours in every 24-hour period. The purpose of a truck driver’s travel log is to show whether the driver spent too much time on the road and got sufficient rest and sleep.
How a Truck Driver’s Travel Log Can Help After an Accident
One of the strongest pieces of evidence you can use in a truck accident claim is the truck driver’s travel log. If, for example, the travel log shows that the truck driver was on the road for more hours than legally allowed, you can use it to prove that they were driving while fatigued.
It is vital to obtain and preserve the truck driver’s travel log quickly before it is tampered with or destroyed. However, obtaining the truck driver’s travel log may be challenging. For this reason, it is crucial to consult with a skilled truck accident attorney. An experienced attorney will have the skills to locate this vital piece of evidence before it is tampered with or destroyed. An attorney can help you get the travel log directly from the truck driver or their employer. They can help you get a subpoena if necessary.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you or a loved one was involved in a truck accident, contact our Orlando personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm for legal help. Our attorneys have the resources and knowledge to thoroughly investigate the accident and gather relevant evidence.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Ocala, Tampa, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, Miami, Naples, and Melbourne areas.
Source:
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations
