Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) have transformed how truck accident cases are investigated and proven. Since the federal ELD mandate took effect, these devices provide irrefutable evidence of when truck drivers violated Hours of Service rules—evidence that can be the key to winning your case.
At Phillips Law Offices, we know how to obtain, analyze, and present ELD data to prove trucking company negligence. Understanding this critical evidence can make the difference between a denied claim and full compensation.
What Is an Electronic Logging Device?
An Electronic Logging Device is a piece of technology that connects to a commercial motor vehicle’s engine to automatically record driving time. Under the FMCSA ELD mandate (49 CFR Part 395), most interstate commercial drivers must use ELDs to track their compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
ELDs replaced paper logbooks, which were easily falsified—earning them the nickname “comic books” among industry insiders. The ELD mandate, fully enforced since December 2019, was specifically designed to prevent drivers from concealing HOS violations.
What Information Does ELD Data Contain?
ELD devices capture comprehensive data that provides a complete picture of a truck’s operation:
- Date and time of all driving activity – Recorded automatically when the engine is running and the vehicle moves
- Engine hours – Total time the engine was operating
- Vehicle miles driven – Distance traveled during each duty status period
- Driver identification – Which driver was logged in during each segment
- Duty status changes – When the driver switched between driving, on-duty not driving, sleeper berth, and off-duty
- Location information – GPS coordinates at specified intervals and upon status changes
- Vehicle identification – VIN, truck unit number, and motor carrier information
How ELD Data Proves Hours of Service Violations
ELD data serves as objective evidence that cannot be easily disputed. Here’s how it proves common HOS violations:
Exceeding the 11-Hour Driving Limit
ELD data shows exactly how many hours the driver was behind the wheel after their last 10-hour break. If the records show 12 or 13 hours of driving time before the accident, this proves a clear HOS violation.
Violating the 14-Hour Duty Window
The ELD automatically tracks when a driver starts their duty day. If the crash occurred after the 14th hour of duty—even if the driver took breaks—this establishes a violation.
Missing Mandatory 30-Minute Breaks
ELD records show whether the driver took required 30-minute breaks after 8 hours of driving. The absence of these breaks in the data is direct evidence of non-compliance.
Exceeding Weekly Hour Limits
ELD data from the previous 7-8 days shows cumulative on-duty hours. This reveals whether drivers exceeded the 60/70-hour weekly limits before the crash occurred.
ELD Data Manipulation and Fraud
While ELDs are more tamper-resistant than paper logs, some drivers and carriers attempt to manipulate the data:
- Unassigned driving time – Driving when no driver is logged in, creating gaps in records
- Personal conveyance abuse – Incorrectly using “personal conveyance” status while making deliveries
- Yard move manipulation – Recording highway driving as off-road yard movements
- Device disconnection – Temporarily disconnecting the ELD to hide driving time
- Using multiple driver IDs – Having another driver log in while actually operating the vehicle
Experienced truck accident attorneys know how to identify these manipulation patterns by analyzing inconsistencies in ELD data, GPS records, fuel receipts, and toll records.
How to Obtain ELD Data After a Truck Accident
Securing ELD evidence requires immediate action:
1. Spoliation Letter
Your attorney should immediately send a spoliation letter to the trucking company, demanding preservation of all electronic data. Federal regulations require carriers to retain ELD records for at least six months, but data can be overwritten or “lost” without legal intervention.
2. Formal Discovery Requests
Through litigation, your attorney can subpoena complete ELD data files, including any edits, annotations, or diagnostic codes that may indicate tampering.
3. Expert Analysis
ELD data comes in standardized formats but requires expert interpretation. Trucking industry experts can analyze the data, identify violations, and explain findings to juries in understandable terms.
4. Cross-Referencing Other Evidence
ELD data should be compared with:
- GPS and telematics records from the trucking company
- Fuel purchase receipts showing location and timing
- Toll booth records
- Loading dock and delivery confirmation times
- Cell phone records showing driver location
Discrepancies between these sources and ELD records can prove data manipulation.
ELD Evidence in Court
ELD data is powerful courtroom evidence because:
- It’s objective – The data comes from an automated system, not driver memory or testimony
- It’s precise – Times, locations, and durations are recorded to the minute
- It shows patterns – Habitual HOS violations demonstrate systemic negligence by the carrier
- It supports punitive damages – Evidence of ongoing, knowing violations can justify punitive awards
Juries understand that when a trucking company’s own electronic records show its driver was operating illegally, there’s no reasonable defense for the resulting injuries.
Carrier Liability for ELD Violations
Trucking companies face substantial liability when ELD data reveals violations:
- Direct negligence – For failing to monitor driver compliance with HOS rules
- Negligent supervision – For allowing drivers to operate while fatigued
- Negligent entrustment – For allowing unqualified drivers to operate commercial vehicles
- Vicarious liability – For driver negligence within the scope of employment
- FMCSA violation penalties – Federal fines up to $16,000 per violation, with criminal penalties for egregious cases
What If the Truck Didn’t Have an ELD?
Certain vehicles are exempt from the ELD mandate, including:
- Trucks manufactured before model year 2000
- Drivers operating under the short-haul exemption (within 150 air-miles)
- Drivers using paper logs for no more than 8 days in a 30-day period
If the truck involved in your accident wasn’t equipped with an ELD, other evidence sources—including GPS tracking, cell phone data, fuel receipts, and witness statements—become even more critical.
Contact Phillips Law Offices for ELD Evidence Analysis
ELD data can prove your truck accident case, but only if it’s preserved and properly analyzed. At Phillips Law Offices, we act quickly to secure electronic evidence before it’s lost and work with industry experts to interpret complex ELD records.
Contact us immediately after a truck accident. Time is critical—ELD data can be overwritten, and trucking companies may not preserve evidence without legal pressure. Our experienced truck accident attorneys will fight to obtain the evidence that proves your case and secures the compensation you deserve.
