Automatic onboard recording devices can be used as truck accident evidence, which may help show if trucking regulations were violated or if there were factors that contributed to a crash. For help in obtaining this and other records that may be useful to your case, contact an accident attorney in Peachtree City at Shane Smith Law.
A truck accident can happen anywhere. You could be injured in a crash while traveling down a local road or while commuting on Highway 54 or another major stretch of road in Peachtree City or the surrounding area.
No matter where it takes place, you will need to prove that the truck driver was negligent in order to recover damages. In fact, evidence may indicate that liability lies with the trucking company as well.
An Overview of Automatic On-Board Recording Devices
Not every trucking company requires that drivers use an onboard recording device. But if they do, part of the information that must be recorded is the driver’s hours of service.
Hours of service rules are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Drivers have limits when it comes to the number of hours they can drive and how much time they should rest/sleep.
The reason for these limitations is to prevent truck driver fatigue, a common problem for those who drive long distances. The risk of seriously or fatally injuring themselves and others is increased when tired and operating a large, heavy truck.
Automatic onboard recording devices are a modernized version of the logbook that drivers are required to keep. Instead of writing down the information, the data is entered electronically into the device.
Automatic On-Board Recording Devices Requirements
There are requirements that must be met when it comes to the use of these devices. The first is that anytime there is a demand to see the information, it be provided either through a printout, electronic display, or the hours of service chart.
The information that must be shown is the drivers:
- starting time;
- stops;
- resting periods;
- sleeping hours; and
- driving.
The second requirement is that local, state, or federal officials be allowed immediate access to check the hours of service. Along with the data recorded in the device, any printed records or handwritten notes on hours spent driving can also be provided.
Third, automatic onboard recording devices should be used in conjunction with support systems at the trucking company’s business location. Employers should have access to the records and be able to provide them to officials.
Finally, the driver must keep records of duty status for not only the current day, but the previous seven days as well, and any hard copies must be signed by the driver. When there are discrepancies or obvious tampering with the information, accident attorneys in Peachtree City can help.
Other Types of Truck Accident Evidence
These recording devices aren’t the only types of evidence that can be helpful in your case. If paper logbooks were also kept updated, these can be submitted, too.
In addition, pictures of the crash and damaged vehicles may help in determining liability. Statements provided by witnesses and the responding police officer’s accident report can also help establish who was at fault.
If you can prove the truck driver was negligent and the cause of the accident, compensation for your injuries may be available. Consult with an attorney as soon as possible to get started with evidence collection.
Seeking Help from Accident Attorneys in Peachtree City
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the number of crashes involving large trucks decreased slightly from 115,730 in 2010, to 113,775 in 2011. Efforts to make the roads safer continue, but it hasn’t entirely prevented these potentially serious collisions.
Contact an attorney at Shane Smith Law if you or a loved one was seriously injured in a truck accident. We can collect evidence from the trucking company that may prove driver liability, such as information found on automatic onboard recording devices.