The trucking industry is one of the most important industries in the country. The more trucks you see on the roads, the stronger the economy. All truck drivers are required by law to keep a log in their truck. This log, even if it has an honest mistake on it, can be used against them in a lawsuit or trial. Here’s why the trucking log is so important.
Trucking logs, for the longest time, were kept on paper. Drivers had to complete them with each trip they took. Every driver is trained to complete a log and that he or she should do it when the information is fresh in his or her mind. Trucking logs record information such as drive time, downtime, sleep time and active/inactive time. All of this information must be correct or else the driver could face penalties based on the law.
With technology continuing to develop, trucking companies are moving away from the paper logbook to electronic logbooks. Electronic logs make it easier for drivers to comply with the laws set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These laws require drivers to take a break between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., and when they drive for eight hours at a time. An electronic log can make it easier for the drivers to take those breaks because they won’t have to worry about watching the clock or remembering when they took their last break.
Trucking logs are important because they can be used as evidence in any case involving a truck accident. If a truck is involved in an accident in Milwaukee, the first thing your lawyer will ask to see is the driver’s trucking log. The lawyer will review the log thoroughly to determine if there are any mistakes or if the driver broke any laws.
An experienced personal injury attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, can answer all of your questions about trucking logs and how important they can be to your claim in a truck accident case.
Source: Truck Driving Jobs, “Controversy Behind Electronic Logs,” accessed June 23, 2017
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