How Driver Logbooks Could Make or Break Your Atlanta Truck Accident Claim
If you are involved in a truck accident in Atlanta, one of the most critical pieces of evidence may not be at the crash scene but in the truck driver’s logbook. Truck driver log books track hours behind the wheel, rest breaks, and compliance with federal safety rules. If the logbook shows violations, it could prove the driver was overworked, fatigued, reckless, or otherwise responsible for the crash.
But here’s the catch: trucking companies don’t make this evidence easy to access. Our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers represent clients in these cases and explain more about the information log books provide and how we can help obtain them.
Why Logbooks are Important in Georgia Truck Accident Cases
Federal law requires truckers to follow hours-of-service (HOS) regulations to prevent fatigue and keep roads safer. Drivers must log when they’re on duty, and log books can confirm whether a trucker was operating legally or if they pushed past safe limits.
Obtaining log books is critical when an Atlanta truck accident happens. In addition to driver fatigue, they can reveal:
- Failure to take mandatory breaks, which increases crash risks dramatically.
- A pattern of violations, which establishes ongoing negligence on the part of the trucker or trucking company.
- Record falsification, in which drivers or companies alter logs to appear compliant.
- Timeline of events, in which comparing logs with GPS or black box data can uncover inconsistencies.
In a city like Atlanta, where truck accidents happen regularly on I-285 and I-75, log books are crucial in proving preventable negligence.
The Importance of Acting Quickly to Obtain Log Books When Truck Accidents Happen
Truck driver logbooks, which are now often stored electronically through Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), aren’t kept forever. Trucking companies may only be required to retain certain records for six months. In high-stakes cases, companies sometimes “lose” or even destroy this evidence if victims don’t act fast.
Getting professional legal help early on is critical. Our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers can:
- Send preservation letters to stop companies from destroying log data.
- Request ELD records along with GPS, black box, and dispatch records.
- Compare logs against reality, spotting discrepancies that suggest falsification.
- Hold companies accountable if they encouraged or ignored HOS violations.
Contact Our Experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers To Protect Your Rights In A Claim
Logbooks and ELD data can make or break a truck accident claim in Georgia. They can help disclose driver fatigue and other negligence on the part of the trucker or trucking company. However, this evidence disappears quickly, and trucking companies rarely hand it over without a fight.
At Shiver Hamilton Campbell, our team can take the actions needed to secure log books and use them to strengthen your claim. We represent clients in Savannah, Decatur, Johns Creek, Marietta, and all of Fulton, DeKalb, and Gwinnett Counties. To protect your rights to compensation, call or contact our office online. Request a consultation with our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers today.
Sources:
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations
fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/electronic-logging-devices
