What Is a Record of Duty Status?

Collisions between semi trucks and passenger vehicles often result in serious injuries for the occupants of the passenger vehicle because of the weight and size disparities between the two. Since these accidents are typically devastating and often deadly, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces strict trucking regulations designed to reduce the risk of crashes.

In addition to following all local traffic laws, truckers must follow certain guidelines that aim to protect both themselves and other motorists on the roads around them. One such guideline has to do with the trucker’s electronic logging device (ELD) record of duty status (RODS).

A trucker’s record of duty is exactly what it sounds like: a collection of pertinent details regarding the driver’s most recent trips. It includes details regarding the trucker’s route, any stops he or she has made along the way, and the arrival and departure times.

The FMCSA requires truckers to save their ELD RODS data for six months. Thus, if you were hurt in a truck accident and you wait until more than six months has passed to file a claim against the at-fault driver, you may no longer have access to essential evidence that could have helped build your case.

If you want to file a personal injury lawsuit against a transportation company, you should call a truck accident attorney sooner rather than later. Contact the Cooper Law Firm to start building your case with a seasoned lawyer by your side.

Attorney N. Eric Cooper represents accident victims throughout east Texas. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free case evaluation with a semi truck accident lawyer in Van Zandt.

How Can a Record of Duty Status Support My Accident Claim?

By looking at the arrival and departure times listed in the record of duty status, you will be able to determine if the trucker was speeding on the route. You will also be able to determine if he or she was on the road for longer than the maximum consecutive time as allowed by law. Evidence of such violations in the record of duty status will serve to strengthen your case and help you secure the compensation you deserve for the damages you incurred.

The record of duty status is not the only way to prove liability in an accident claim, though, and it is important to document the collision if you are capable of doing so. For example, photographs of the scene can serve as evidence, as can the official police report.

If you were hurt in a truck accident and you are not sure how to prove that the trucker is liable for your injuries, contact the Cooper Law Firm. Attorney N. Eric Cooper can evaluate your case and help you determine the best way to proceed.

Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident attorney in Van Zandt. You can learn more about truck accident claims in Texas by visiting the USAttorneys website.