The “black box” in a semi-trailer truck is probably the last thing on your mind when you or a loved one has suffered serious injury in a truck accident. Attorneys know how important this piece of equipment can be to an injury claim, and you should know how the electronic on-board recording device (EOBR) could provide evidence to support your right to collect damages. 

What is an electronic on-board recording device?

The EOBR is similar to the “black box” we hear about in airplanes. It records data about the truck it is installed in, and most importantly, the number of hours the vehicle has been driven. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires almost every interstate commercial truck to have an EOBR installed.

The EOBR is required to record specific information about the truck driver and their record of duty. All of this data is transmitted to the driver’s motor carrier home office where it is required to be stored and available for access either digitally or physically by federal, state or local officials. 

The Importance of a Truck Driver’s Record of Duty

Federal regulations limit the number of consecutive hours a truck driver may operate their vehicle, as well as the number of consecutive days of driving they may undertake before a break is required. These regulations are often accompanied by more strict laws in certain states where the driver’s employer is registered. 

The restrictions on driving times for truckers are a measure put into effect to combat the dangers of fatigued drivers. The record of duty can serve as proof that a driver was negligent in following the federal or state laws for operation time limits. 

To be eligible to file an injury claim for a truck accident, attorneys need to help their clients provide evidence that the truck driver was negligent in safe driving. A violation of the record of duty rules can be critical evidence to support the accusation of a fatigued and impaired driver, but only when the EOBR data is obtained and used properly.

Continue reading to find out how Georgia truck accident attorneys can help you obtain and use this data to support your injury claim.

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