Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Vaccine Injuries
Truck accidents are a significant concern in Oklahoma. Due to the size of the vehicles involved, truck wrecks often cause severe injuries, fatalities, and extensive property damage. Large commercial trucks, particularly semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, pose substantial risks when drivers fail to follow safety regulations.
The most common causes of truck accidents are driver fatigue, hours-of-service (HOS) violations, and falsified log books.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implemented the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate to address these issues. This mandate requires most commercial truck drivers to use electronic logbooks instead of traditional paper logs.
This regulation aims to improve compliance with HOS rules, reduce fatigue-related accidents, and enhance road safety for all motorists.
We at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers specialize in representing victims of truck accidents in Oklahoma. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision involving a commercial truck, understanding how ELDs work and their impact on accident cases can be crucial. This guide will explain ELDs, how they help prevent truck accidents, their legal implications, and what steps to take if you’re involved in a truck-related crash.
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are digital systems used to record a truck driver’s hours on the road. They replace the outdated paper logbooks that drivers previously used to track their hours of operation.
Paper logs can be easily manipulated or falsified. ELDs are different. They automatically track driving hours, rest periods, and vehicle movement, ensuring greater accuracy and compliance with federal regulations.
By enforcing strict compliance with hours-of-service (HOS) laws, ELDs play a crucial role in preventing fatigue-related truck crashes in Oklahoma—and across the United States.
The FMCSA introduced the ELD mandate as part of a larger effort to regulate commercial trucking operations. This rule, which went into effect in December 2017, requires most commercial vehicles to be equipped with an electronic logging device.
The FMCSA estimates that ELDs will prevent approximately 1,844 crashes and save 26 lives annually.
Under federal trucking regulations, ELDs are mandatory for:
Some drivers and companies are exempt from the ELD rule, including:
A driver or trucking company that violates the ELD mandate may face significant penalties. These can include fines, vehicle out-of-service orders, and potential liability in accident cases.
Oklahoma has fully adopted the FMCSA’s ELD requirements into its state trucking laws. Both intrastate and interstate commercial drivers must comply with ELD regulations.
According to Oklahoma law, truck drivers who operate within the state must follow the same Hours of Service (HOS) rules as federal regulations.
Oklahoma has adopted the electronic logging device (ELD) requirements in Part 395 for intrastate motor carriers and drivers.
This means that even if a trucking company only operates within Oklahoma, it must still equip its vehicles with FMCSA-approved ELDs and ensure compliance with federal safety standards.
One of the biggest causes of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Many truckers relied on paper logbooks to track hours on the road before ELDs came along. These books could be easily altered to make it appear as though drivers were following HOS regulations. This allowed some drivers to exceed their legal driving hours, leading to exhaustion and increased accident risks.
By automating the tracking of driving time, ELDs eliminate manual logbook errors and ensure that truck drivers adhere to federal and state laws.
The FMCSA’s Hours of Service (HOS) regulations limit truck drivers to:
ELDs automatically track and alert drivers when they are nearing their legal driving limits. This forces them to rest before continuing on the road. Compliance with the law dramatically reduces the number of fatigue-related crashes.
Unlike paper logs, which can be easily manipulated, ELDs electronically record data in real time. This ensures that no violations go unnoticed.
Trucking companies are legally required to ensure compliance with safety regulations. If a company pressures drivers to exceed legal hours, ELD records can serve as critical evidence in accident investigations.
Failure to comply with the ELD mandate can have serious legal consequences for both truck drivers and their employers.
| Violation | Penalty |
| Failure to use an ELD | Fines up to $10,000 |
| Hours-of-Service Violation | Out-of-service orders and fines |
| False Log Entries | Civil penalties and potential criminal charges |
The trucking company may be held legally responsible for the damages resulting from an accident if one of its drivers is involved in an accident while violating HOS rules.
An ELD is a digital device that records a truck driver’s driving hours automatically. It ensures compliance with federal safety regulations and prevents fatigue-related accidents.
Most commercial truck drivers operating in Oklahoma, whether intrastate or interstate, must use ELDs unless they qualify for specific exemptions outlined by the FMCSA.
ELDs ensure that truck drivers follow legal driving limits. This reduces fatigue and prevents accidents caused by overworked drivers.
Non-compliance can result in fines, out-of-service orders, and legal liability in accident cases. Trucking companies may also face penalties for failing to enforce ELD use.
Electronic Logging Devices play a critical role in improving truck safety. However, accidents can still happen. Determining fault and liability when they do can be complex.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Oklahoma, Graves McLain Injury Lawyers can help. Our experienced attorneys understand trucking regulations, ELD data, and personal injury claims. Contact us today to learn about your legal rights and options.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
