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Texas Personal Injury Law

Truck drivers and their employers sometimes falsify drivers logs. Here’s how our attorneys overcome falsified trucking logs after an accident.

Companies that employ fleets of truck drivers – and the drivers themselves – are not above altering driving logs. They have motivation to alter or falsify logs so they don’t have to pay as much, or at all in the event a truck driver causes a wreck.

They know the cost of settlements for commercial trucking accidents. And, they have teams of professionals and lawyers in place ready to defend them.

Not that every company with a fleet of trucks for shipping is dishonest. But, some are. This does happen, and don’t try to live in a fantasy world where it doesn’t on occasion.

Many companies push their drivers to work absurd 60+ hour weeks. That leads to fatigue, driver errors, and accidents. And, sometimes drivers “fudge” their logs to make up for long wait times when unloading so they keep their employers happy.

Fortunately, falsified truck driving logs don’t spell doom for your injury claim. Here’s what our attorneys, and you, can do to overcome them:

File Your Claim Fast

This is probably the best protection. The minute a dishonest trucking company knows about an accident, they start building their defense. And, that could include altering driving logs.

So, as soon as the truck accident happens, file your injury claim with a lawyer. Your injury attorney can still get you fair compensation for future injuries and damages, so you don’t have to worry about that.

Discrepancies Can Be Easy to Point Out

In some cases, truckers lie about the pre-trip inspection and how many hours they’ve driven. Through the discovery process we can request they produce fuel and meal receipts and compare those to the log(s) that have been produced.

This usually makes lies and/or inaccuracies apparent. And in most cases, the company’s trying to push the driver against their will to work too many hours.

Another Audit That Can Be Performed 

Currently, semi-trucks are not required to have electronic on-board recording devices (EOBRs). However, many do. And, that data can be checked against the driver’s logbook to point out discrepancies.

EOBRs may become law again sometime in the near future, as they were required once in the recent past.

And Then Some Truckers Keep Two Log Books!

Now, sometimes it happens where a truck driver keeps a spotless log. And in some situations, we’ve found they actually have two logs.

A number of exactly identical runs, unrealistic time frames for trip completion, only recording on-duty and driving time (pre and post-trip inspections must be recorded too!), and team logs not matching are also a number of red flags that indicate two log books, or falsification of logs.

Can we catch dishonest truck drivers and companies? You bet. And when you act fast, that makes the job even easier and more likely to succeed so you get fair money for your injuries.

Suggested Reading

Tactics insurance companies use to deny or eliminate payouts

How common are commercial accidents?

If an overtired, fatigued driver hits you do you have a case?

Beware of trucking companies stipulating to liability

Plano, TX Truck accident lawyers who win you more

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