Mark Roman | February 13, 2017 | Truck Accidents

Because commercial trucks and tractor-trailers pose such great risks to the general public, these vehicles and the drivers and companies that operate them are stringently regulated by state and federal laws. Among the many regulations designed to ensure truckers reduce risks of injuring the innocent public, one involves the use of electronic on-board recorders.

Electronic on-board recorders are devices that keep track of how long a vehicle is being driven. This means that regulators are able to see if a driver has been operating a vehicle for too long, which is both a violation of federal Hours-of-Service rules and a common reason for driver fatigue.

Here are some key things to know about on-board recorders:

  • The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) finalized a rule to adopt the use of electronic recorders in commercial trucks in 2015. These devices were more accurate and less susceptible to fraud as compared to paper logs.
  • On-board recorders help federal regulators, as well as accident victims, determine if drivers are violating hours-of-safety rules. HOS rules were adopted due to the known dangers of fatigued driving, which in some cases can be just as dangerous as driving drunk.
  • FMCSA officials report that requiring on-board recorders in trucks that ship interstate can prevent an estimated 560+ injures and more than 25 lives each year.

When victims are involved in accidents with trucks and commercial carriers, our Clearwater injury lawyers make it a point to fully investigate the crash and the drivers and companies involved. Because we know that driver fatigue is such a risky behavior and because many truck accidents are caused by tired drivers, we pay close attention to reviewing driver logs and on-board recorders. If there is evidence that HOS rules were violated, it creates a strong case for victims who want to hold truckers and the companies they work for liable for their damages.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you can trust in our legal team at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers. Our firm is led by two highly experienced Florida trial lawyers, both of whom are Board Certified Specialists in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar. We know what to look for in truck accident cases, and we have the insight and resources to fight back against truckers and commercial insurers who want to pay you as little as possible.

Contact the Clearwater Truck Accident Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Clearwater. We have five convenient locations in Florida: Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.

We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442