Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) and Truck Accidents in Oklahoma

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Oklahoma truck accident, things can feel incredibly stressful. Not only are you dealing with your injuries and what often is an unknown timetable of recovery, but you may also be facing mounting medical bills and lost wages, all the while trying to keep pace with the insurance companies that live and breathe claims like yours day in and day out. In some instances, the trucking company or its attorneys may try and contact you directly after they’ve collected all the relevant information.  In most truck accident cases, electronic logging devices (ELDs) will often play a critical role. In this article we want to talk about how ELDs work, why they matter in an Oklahoma truck accident case, and how our truck accident lawyers at Biby Law Firm use ELD data to help injury victims establish liability.

What are electronic logging devices?

ELDs are small electronic units that connect directly to a commercial truck’s engine. They automatically record driving times, engine hours, vehicle movement, miles driven, and when the driver is on duty. Their primary purpose is to replace old paper logbooks, which were prone to mistakes or even outright manipulation.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) makes ELD use mandatory for most commercial drivers, including truckers. The goal of this relatively new mandate was to make it more difficult for drivers to log inaccurate hours, and to reduce driver fatigue. Think of an ELD as a digital watch that logs everything for regulators, carriers, and, in some cases, accident investigators.

What are hours-of-service rules?

To help understand why ELDs are so important, it helps to know a little bit about hours-of-service regulations. These HOS rules generally state that:

• Truck drivers can drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
• A driver can’t drive beyond the 14^th hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off.
• Drivers must take a 30-minute break after eight cumulative hours of driving.
• Drivers must not exceed 60-70 hours on duty in seven to eight consecutive days.

These rules exist to make sure that drivers get enough rest, remain alert on the road, and reduce the risk of fatigue-related truck accidents.

What makes ELD data such a powerful tool in truck accident cases?

Let’s say your case involves a truck driver who crashed into your vehicle on I-44 near Tulsa. You believe the driver was overtired or violating hours-of-service rules. But how do you prove it? This is where ELDs come in. ELDs automatically record a trucker’s driving and rest periods, making it harder for a driver or company to falsify logs. Our Tulsa truck accident lawyers can request and review ELD data from the trucking company. This data can show a variety of issues:

• Was the driver on duty or driving beyond the legal hours? ELD records can inform you of this. Suddenly, a claim that “it was a normal workday” might not hold up.
• Repeated short breaks, limited rest before driving, or erratic duty cycles can suggest fatigue, even if it’s not a clear-cut violation.
• The trucking company’s internal policies may be stricter than federal regulations. ELD data can reveal violations of these policies.
• If the carrier resists providing the data, or if gaps appear in the log, it may demonstrate manipulation or incomplete disclosure.

All of this makes the ELD data a powerful piece of evidence, especially when investigated by our truck accident attorneys, who are familiar with Oklahoma’s laws and regulations.

How can your truck accident lawyers help me use ELD data in my case?

At Biby Law Firm, our truck accident attorneys follow a clear process when handling truck accident cases involving ELD evidence.

• We know evidence can degrade or disappear altogether if it’s not promptly preserved. That’s why we move quickly, often within days, to demand the trucking company to preserve ELD data and internal logs. The sooner you act, the better the chance of getting this comprehensive data.
• We serve formal requests or subpoenas as necessary to retrieve ELD data. This typically includes records regarding the driver’s driving time and other aspects of the hours-of-service (HOS) records, supplemental logs, and associated data files.
• Our attorneys work with transportation experts or accident reconstructionists who understand the FMCSA ELD specifications. They analyze timestamps, duty status changes, engine on/off events, breaks, and driving windows. This helps us see exactly when the trucker started driving, when they stopped, and for how long, and whether there were any alterations to the log or device malfunctions.
• Next, we compare the ELD data with HOS rules to identify violations. For example, if the driver logged 12 hours of driving in a 14-hour window, that’s a straightforward HOS breach. Or, if there’s only a brief 15-minute break between shifts, fatigue becomes more plausible, even in the absence of an outright violation.
• Then, we build liability. In Oklahoma, trucking companies can be held liable under things like negligent hiring, letting an unfit driver operate a truck, or supervisor negligence. ELD evidence that shows fatigue or falsified hours helps us tie the company to the risk of an unsafe driver. We also investigate the driver’s history, licensing, and training records, all of which we can compare to the ELD data for inconsistencies.
• Finally, we present this evidence to insurers or in court. ELD data can be technical, so we rely on expert witnesses to translate it into easy-to-understand visuals and testimony. Adjusters or juries can see at a glance how long the driver had been working, where rest windows were skipped or shortened, and what risk those actions created. This evidence can often strengthen settlement negotiations, and if the case goes to trial, it can significantly influence the outcome.

Why does ELD data matter in Oklahoma truck accident claims?

Before ELDs, truck drivers used paper logs that could be easily falsified. But now, with ELD automatic timestamping, it’s harder to pretend that you took a proper break, or didn’t take one at all. Further, obtaining ELD data can sometimes be quicker than chasing down paper logs spread across multiple locations. Digital files, once preserved, can be shared easily and quickly, helping your case move forward with momentum. Carriers must keep these ELD records and supporting documents for at least six months.

Some Oklahoma-specific considerations

Every state has its own injury laws, court systems, and little nuances. Here in Oklahoma:

• The statute of limitations for personal injury (including truck accidents) is generally two years from the date of injury. This means you must file your lawsuit within two years; otherwise, your claim may be barred. At this time, if ELD data gets lost or overwritten, waiting too long could mean losing your chance to use it.
• Courts in Oklahoma are increasingly accepting digital evidence, including ELD data, especially when authenticated by experts.
• While our firm is based in Tulsa, our truck accident lawyers are well-versed in the unique dynamics of trucking cases in Oklahoma and handle them statewide.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Oklahoma truck accident, you’re likely facing medical bills, vehicle damage, and emotional stress. The last thing you want or need is endless battles with the insurance companies. Dynamic evidence like ELD data can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back or the variable that turns your mediocre case into a winner.  It cuts through disputes with facts. It helps our truck accident lawyers show exactly what happened, how long the driver had been on the road, whether rules were broken, and whether fatigue played a part in the crash.

At Biby Law Firm, we deeply understand truck accidents. We also know the challenges involved in compiling digital evidence; how to request it, preserve it, and effectively present it to insurers or the court. If you’re in Tulsa or anywhere throughout Oklahoma, don’t wait. The earlier you contact us, the better your chances of preserving vital ELD data that can make or break your claim. Call our offices today or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.