What You Need to Know About a Truck Driver’s Log Book if You Have Been Involved in a Wisconsin Truck Accident

If  you have been injured in a Wisconsin truck accident, you have probably heard of a truck driver’s log book.  In the past, a truck driver would manually enter his service hours in to a paper log book.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) now requires a truck driver’s hours of service to be recorded on what is referred to as an ELD (Electronic Logging Device).  ELDs have been required for most commercial trucks since 2017.  The ELD is connected to the truck’s engine and records how long the truck has been in operation.  If the commercial truck is not equipped with a proper ELD, the driver can receive a citation and fine and the truck can be removed from operation on public roads.

Many trucking accidents are caused by drivers spending too much time on the road and not getting enough rest.  Generally, commercial truck drivers are limited to driving a maximum of 60 hours during a consecutive 7-day period or 70 hours during a consecutive 8-day period.  Federal law then requires that the driver rest for at least 34 hours before resuming driving.  Log books can be important in determining whether the driver has violated Federal trucking rules.

Electronic log books keep track of more than time spent driving.  The electronic log book captures hours the driver is off-duty and the time the driver is on-duty but not actually driving.

If you have been injured in a Wisconsin truck accident, it is important that the attorney you hire understand trucking rules and regulations.  If you have been injured in a Wisconsin truck accident and are looking to hire an attorney, or if you just have questions about your Wisconsin truck accident, please give us a call or use our Contact Form.  We would love to talk to you.