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Maintenance and inspection logs

Maintenance and inspection logs are critical records that reveal whether a truck was properly serviced and safe to operate. They often become central evidence in determining liability after an accident.

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  • Truck Accident Law Team
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Article 5 of 6 in Evidence Gathering and Investigation/

Maintenance and Inspection Logs in Truck Accident Cases

Purpose of Logs

  • Ensure compliance with FMCSA maintenance regulations.
  • Provide a paper trail documenting routine checks, repairs, and inspections.
  • Help identify whether mechanical failures were preventable.

Types of Records

  1. Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs)

    • Completed before and after each trip.
    • Note defects in brakes, tires, lights, and other critical parts.

  2. Periodic Maintenance Logs

    • Carriers must perform scheduled repairs and keep systematic records.
    • Include oil changes, brake adjustments, and tire replacements.

  3. Annual DOT Inspection Reports

    • Certified inspectors must examine each commercial truck at least once a year.
    • Documentation of compliance is required.

  4. Repair Records

    • Invoices and work orders from maintenance contractors or in-house shops.
  • Evidence of Negligence: Missing or falsified logs may show a company failed its duty to maintain safe vehicles.
  • Direct Causation: If logs reveal skipped brake service or ignored tire wear, this can establish liability.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Violations of FMCSA rules may amount to negligence per se.

How Logs Are Used in Litigation

  • Attorneys subpoena records from carriers.
  • Experts analyze logs for gaps, inconsistencies, or ignored defects.
  • Comparing inspection logs with accident timing may reveal whether the truck should have been out of service.

Challenges

  • Companies may withhold or alter records.
  • Logs may be incomplete, requiring corroboration with black box data, GPS records, or mechanic testimony.
  • Defense may argue defects arose suddenly, not due to poor maintenance.

Summary: Maintenance and inspection logs are powerful evidence in truck accident litigation. They demonstrate whether carriers followed federal safety standards and often reveal preventable negligence that directly contributed to the crash.

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Truck Accident Law Team

Written by : Truck Accident Law Team

Attorneys, investigators, and legal writers focused on U.S. trucking safety, litigation strategy, and victim advocacy.

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