Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are transforming how investigators, attorneys, and insurance companies approach New Jersey truck accident claims. By providing detailed digital records of a commercial driver’s activity, these tools have become critical in determining liability, ensuring compliance, and supporting injury victims in their pursuit of compensation.

What Are Electronic Logging Devices and Why Are They Required?

ELDs are federally mandated devices that automatically record a truck driver's driving time and Hours of Service (HOS). In 2017, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rolled out the ELD mandate, requiring most commercial motor vehicles to be equipped with these systems.

ELD Functions That Matter in Truck Accident Cases

An ELD synchronizes with a vehicle’s engine to capture data like:

• Hours driven
  
• Engine start and stop times
  
• Vehicle location and speed
  
• Sudden braking or hard acceleration
  
• Rest periods and idling time
  

This information creates a digital footprint of a trucker’s activity, providing a factual timeline that can be used to corroborate or contradict witness accounts, driver statements, or physical evidence.

Why ELD Data Is Vital in New Jersey Truck Accident Claims

When a truck accident occurs on New Jersey’s roadways—especially on busy interstates like I-95, I-80, or the New Jersey Turnpike—questions of negligence and fatigue often come into play. ELD data helps answer them.

Proving Driver Fatigue or Hours of Service Violations

One of the most common causes of commercial truck crashes is driver fatigue. By law, commercial truck drivers are limited in how long they can operate without a break. The FMCSA limits property-carrying drivers to:

• 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty
  
• 14 consecutive hours of work time per day
  
• 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving
  

ELDs log every minute of drive time and rest. If a driver exceeded legal limits, that data becomes a powerful piece of evidence that can establish negligence.

Establishing Timelines and Contradicting False Claims

In some truck accident cases, the truck driver or the trucking company might provide inaccurate or misleading information about the time and circumstances of the crash. ELD records, when cross-referenced with GPS data and crash reports, can expose inconsistencies and reinforce a victim’s version of events.

Legal Leverage for Injury Victims in NJ

Truck accident victims in New Jersey often face powerful insurance companies backed by legal teams focused on minimizing payouts. However, ELD data can level the playing field when used effectively by experienced attorneys.

Supporting Comparative Fault Claims

New Jersey operates under a modified comparative negligence rule, which means injured parties can recover compensation as long as they are not more than 50% at fault. ELD records can reduce or eliminate a victim’s share of the blame by proving that the truck driver was speeding, violating HOS rules, or driving erratically.

Preservation of ELD Evidence Is Time-Sensitive

Federal law only requires motor carriers to retain ELD data for six months. This makes it essential for victims or their attorneys to send a spoliation letter quickly—requesting the trucking company preserve and produce ELD logs related to the incident. Failure to act in time can lead to the permanent loss of valuable digital evidence.

How Attorneys Use ELD Data to Build Stronger Claims

ELD data is only as valuable as the interpretation behind it. Skilled truck accident attorneys work with data analysts, accident reconstruction experts, and industry professionals to:

• Reconstruct the timeline leading up to the collision
  
• Identify speed patterns, rest violations, and unsafe driving behavior
  
• Cross-reference with dashcam footage or telematics
  
• Tie ELD data to liability arguments under NJ’s motor vehicle statutes
  

Challenges and Limitations of ELDs in Trucking Lawsuits

While ELDs are powerful, they are not foolproof. Defense attorneys may argue that:

• The ELD malfunctioned or was improperly calibrated
  
• The data is incomplete or misrepresents driver behavior
  
• Certain violations were technical and not the direct cause of the crash
  

This makes it essential for plaintiffs to combine ELD logs with other forms of evidence like witness statements, vehicle damage assessments, and black box data.

The Role of the Trucking Company

Under New Jersey law, employers can be held liable under the principle of respondeat superior if a driver causes harm within the scope of their employment. ELD data showing company-wide pressure to cut corners or falsify logs could expose broader patterns of negligence—turning a single-vehicle claim into a systemic liability case.

Recent Trends: Increased Use of ELDs in NJ Litigation

The rise in trucking litigation has prompted more New Jersey attorneys to use ELDs proactively. In fatal or catastrophic injury cases, these logs often become the centerpiece of the claim. Even in less severe crashes, the data can reveal whether a driver was speeding or failing to take legally required breaks—insights that might otherwise be unavailable.

In 2022, New Jersey saw over 2,400 large truck crashes involving injury or fatality. With truck traffic increasing across major logistics routes, the use of ELDs in civil litigation is only expected to grow.

Conclusion

Electronic Logging Devices are more than just compliance tools—they are pivotal sources of digital evidence in New Jersey truck accident claims. From revealing driver fatigue and HOS violations to supporting timelines and reducing comparative fault arguments, ELD data helps personal injury attorneys build stronger, evidence-backed cases. For accident victims facing high-stakes litigation against trucking companies, leveraging this data can be a decisive factor in securing fair compensation.

Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is One Phone Call Away

Navigating New Jersey truck accident claims can be challenging. Fortunately, you don't need to do it alone. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, are available 24/7 to help you understand your legal options, gather necessary evidence, and build a strong case to secure the settlement you deserve.

Contact us now for a free legal review.