What Evidence from the Truck ELD Supports My Accident Case?

When a truck accident happens, one of the most powerful sources of evidence comes from the truck’s electronic logging device, or ELD. These federally required devices automatically record critical data about the truck’s movements, speed, and driver activity. 

If you were hit by a truck, you might be unsure what type of ELD evidence could strengthen your truck accident case. A Los Angeles truck accident lawyer can gather evidence that bolsters your case and help you recover compensation for your losses.

What Is a Truck’s ELD?

An electronic logging device (ELD) is a piece of technology installed in commercial trucks to automatically record key operational details. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires most commercial vehicles to use them under federal hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. An ELD tracks information such as:

• Driving time: It records when the truck is moving and for how long.
• Engine hours: It tracks total engine operation to confirm driving periods.
• Vehicle movement: It logs GPS data showing where the truck has been.
• Miles driven: It calculates the total distance covered.
• Driver identification: It links data to the specific driver operating the vehicle.

Why ELD Evidence Matters in Truck Accident Cases

Before ELDs, truck drivers used paper logbooks to record their hours, but those were easily falsified. The introduction of ELDs made it far harder to hide hours-of-service violations, which are often key to proving negligence.

In many truck accident claims, the main dispute revolves around whether the driver was fatigued, distracted, or breaking safety rules. ELD data provides a clear digital record that can confirm or disprove those claims.

When combined with other evidence, such as dashcam footage, black box data, or witness statements, the ELD records help paint a complete picture of what happened before the crash.

What Evidence From the Truck ELD Supports Your Accident Claim?

ELD data can be used to uncover vital details that support your side of the story. Here are the types of information that can strengthen your claim:

• Hours–of–service compliance: The ELD shows exactly when the driver was on duty, driving, resting, or off-duty. If the logs show that the driver exceeded the maximum allowed hours, it can indicate fatigue, which is a major factor in many truck crashes.
• Speed and movement patterns: The recorded data includes real-time speed and location tracking. Sudden spikes in speed or erratic driving patterns can show reckless behavior leading up to the collision.
• Rest break violations: Federal law requires specific rest breaks during long hauls. ELD records can reveal if a driver skipped mandatory breaks or manipulated the system to appear compliant.
• Route history: GPS logs display the truck’s route and timing. If the route deviated from the expected path, it could point to distractions, shortcuts, or unauthorized stops that may have contributed to the crash.
• Engine and ignition data: This shows when the truck’s engine was turned on and off, helping establish the driver’s true hours of operation. It can also show whether the driver continued to drive after they should have stopped under HOS rules.
• Tampering or data inconsistencies: If ELD records show gaps, edits, or suspicious anomalies, it may indicate an attempt to hide rule violations. Your attorney can use that to argue the driver or trucking company acted negligently or deceitfully.

Each of these points can help connect the driver’s behavior to the cause of your accident, providing strong proof to support your compensation claim.

How Attorneys Use ELD Data to Build a Strong Case

An experienced truck accident lawyer can obtain and interpret ELD data to build your case. Trucking companies often resist sharing this information quickly, but your lawyer can send a spoliation letter, or a legal notice that requires them to preserve all electronic records related to the crash.

Once secured, ELD data is typically cross-referenced with police reports, maintenance logs, dashcam footage, and cell phone records. This comprehensive review helps establish a timeline of events and prove violations of federal trucking regulations or company safety policies.

What Happens If the Trucking Company Refuses to Share ELD Data?

Trucking companies are required by law to retain ELD records for at least six months. However, some try to delete or withhold the data to protect themselves. If they refuse to hand over the ELD data, your attorney can request it through legal discovery.

Courts take a harsh view of any company that destroys or alters evidence. If a trucking company is caught doing this, it can lead to serious legal consequences, including sanctions or a ruling in your favor based on the presumption that the missing data was damaging to their defense.

Other Types of Evidence That May Support Your Claim

While ELDs are crucial, they’re just one part of a broader evidence set that can strengthen a truck accident claim. Additional sources include:

• Black box data: A black box records speed, braking, and engine performance in the seconds before impact.
• Driver qualification files: These contain details about the driver’s training, history, and safety record.
• Maintenance and inspection reports: These show whether the truck was properly maintained.
• Eyewitness statements: These can provide a human perspective to corroborate electronic data.
• Accident scene photos and video: These can offer visual proof that aligns with ELD records.

When these forms of evidence align with ELD data, it becomes extremely difficult for the defense to dispute liability.

Get Help From Our Truck Accident Lawyers

ELD data can be overwritten or deleted if it’s not properly preserved after a truck accident. If you were injured in a crash with a truck, a truck accident lawyer from J&Y Law can secure ELD data before it disappears and help you put together a winning personal injury claim.

Schedule a free consultation to start building your claim today.