How Evidence of Trucker Log Book Fraud Can Help Your Truck Crash Case

Commercial truck drivers are an essential part of the nation’s economy, transporting materials and goods to and from points both near and far. In doing so, the average trucker drives between 2,000 and 3,000 miles each week. That works out to a lot of time on the road. Some truck drivers may spend even more time behind the wheel due to a per-mile—rather than hourly—pay system, unrealistic employer expectations, and companies that incentivize completing tasks ahead of schedule.

Sound exhausting? It is—and it can lead to deadly accidents. Research shows that driving while fatigued can be just as impairing as driving under the influence of alcohol. And when the driver of an up-to-80,000-pound truck dozes off behind the wheel, the results can be absolutely catastrophic.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration limits how many hours truckers can drive—which is now a maximum of 70 hours during an 8-day period—and requires them to keep daily logs of their activities. However, truck operators often find ways to falsify these logs to stay on the road longer, such as making a second, “clean” set of logs. While the introduction of electronic logging devices, or ELDs, has made it slightly more difficult to create fraudulent logs, drivers can still unfairly and unsafely game the system.

Consult a Seasoned Georgia Crash Attorney

If you were hurt in a Georgia truck accident caused by a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Proving that the commercial driver was drowsy or distracted at the time of the crash can be complicated but, at Van Sant Law, our skilled attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation into your accident claim.

We’ll also use the legal powers of the discovery process to gain access to the driver’s logs and other employment records. If the trucker in question is found to have altered logs, this could serve as clear evidence of negligence.

Want to learn more about how our accomplished legal team can help you resolve your truck accident case? Contact Van Sant Law today to schedule an appointment for a free, no-obligation consultation.