When you’ve been harmed in a collision involving a large tractor‑trailer, accurate records can make or break your case. As your trusted Raleigh, NC truck accident lawyer, we understand that trucking companies and drivers sometimes alter or falsify their logbooks to mask hours‑of‑service violations. This practice can hide crucial evidence of fatigue, driver overwork, or regulatory noncompliance. At Burton Law Firm, we approach these situations methodically to uncover the truth behind manipulated logs.
Why Trucking Logs Matter
Commercial truck drivers in the U.S. must follow federal hours‑of‑service rules, which limit how many consecutive hours they may drive and require rest breaks. These rules exist because driver fatigue is a known safety hazard. Falsified logs can erase that crucial trail of evidence, making it harder to show the driver was pushing beyond lawful limits. The logs may also conceal when maintenance or inspections were skipped in violation of regulations. No matter how the truck accident happened, these logs and records play an important role in assigning liability and, potentially, compensation.
When logs are accurate, they help us reconstruct the timeline: when the driver began, how many breaks were taken, and whether they exceeded legal limits. Altered or missing logs raise red flags and invite deeper scrutiny.
How Falsification Occurs
Trucking log fraud can take several forms:
- Erasing or altering entries to shorten hours or delete rest periods
- Back‑dating or pre-dating entries to misrepresent when activities occurred
- Using “false blanks” or empty rows to imply a rest break
- Submitting electronic log data separately from handwritten logs to mask inconsistencies
- Not turning on electronic logging devices (ELDs) or using them improperly
These tactics may seem subtle, but they can fundamentally skew the driver’s actual timeline.
Methods We Use To Detect Falsification
To expose manipulated logs, our legal team can take measures such as:
- Obtain raw ELD data: The electronic logging device often stores granular data (speed, GPS, engine hours) that may differ from the logs submitted.
- Compare maintenance records and dispatch logs: Maintenance or fuel records may show discrepancies with the claimed log entries.
- Interview drivers, mechanics, and dispatch personnel: Colleagues may recall irregular behavior or omitted breaks.
- Utilize specialist testimony: Accident reconstructionists or log auditors can analyze the patterns.
- Issue discovery requests: Seek internal company communications, shift schedules, and prior violations.
A well‑documented chain of evidence can tilt a case in favor of victims when defending against log fraud.
How Falsified Logs Affect Your Case
If we can prove that a trucking company or driver manipulated logs, it can:
- Support a claim of gross negligence (rather than just ordinary negligence)
- Increase leverage in settlement negotiations
- Help a jury see the seriousness of the violation
- Open the door to punitive damages (depending on jurisdiction)
In short, proving log falsification can change the narrative from “accident” to “preventable wrongdoing.”
Real‑World Results From Our Firm
We believe actual outcomes help demonstrate our dedication to our clients:
- We were retained to represent a Wisconsin couple injured by a vehicle transport truck while traveling on Highway 26 in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Our investigation led to a $140,000 settlement.
- When we were retained to represent a young lady who sustained injuries to her neck, back, and shoulder when she was struck by the driver of a plumbing truck. We earned our client a $100,000 settlement.
These cases show our commitment to deep investigation and willingness to pursue strong evidence when records may have been concealed or manipulated.
What Victims Can Do Immediately
If you or someone you love has been in a truck accident and you suspect logs may have been altered, here are a few steps you can take to protect your claim:
- Preserve all documentation: Police reports, photos, and vehicle data
- Inform your attorney early: The sooner we request ELD and log records, the less chance they’ll be destroyed or altered
- Avoid discussing the case with the trucking company or its representatives
- Seek medical attention immediately: Documentation of injuries helps tie causation
When log manipulation is in play, having a lawyer who digs deep can make all the difference. Let Burton Law Firm guide you through the process of getting the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to get started!