Given the sheer volume of truck deliveries that are made each day, you’re likely to encounter a semi-rig every time you go out for a drive. Hopefully, that truck driver will be paying attention to the road and won’t cause an accident. Even with all the training and special certifications, there is no guarantee that a truck driver can always avoid getting into an accident.
You might have spotted some trucks with a sign on the back asking, “How am I driving?” That will be accompanied by a number for the trucking company. The idea is that if you observe the truck driver engaging in reckless driving behavior, you should alert the trucking company immediately. Can you trust that the trucking company will take action?
In the worst-case scenario, you are the victim of an accident involving a semi-rig, there will be more going on than reporting the driver to their trucking company. You might end up suing that trucking company as part of your accident claim. When that happens, you have to involve Peterson Law Office. We’re a team of dedicated Lexington truck accident lawyers who can thoroughly investigate the accident, identify all the at-fault parties, and work diligently to obtain a fair settlement for our clients.
How to Report a Trucking Company
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is an agency within the Department of Transportation (DOT) that is responsible for regulating the commercial motor vehicle industry. That includes trucks and buses. FMCSA has created a set of regulations that cover all aspects of the trucking industry, including how long drivers can drive before taking a rest and how cargo should be secured.
If you witness a truck engaged in dangerous activity, you can report it to FMCSA within 90 days of the incident. There are two reporting options:
Phone
You can call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238) during business hours (8 am–8 pm, Monday to Friday EST). There should be a representative to take your report and provide information about how to follow up.
Online
You can also visit the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Website to report safety violations. This web portal allows you to provide detailed information about the incident you witnessed. You can also upload any evidence, such as photos or videos, that you took of the incident. Once you file, you’ll be able to use that website to track the status of your report.
You can also make a report locally with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at
Phone: (502) 564-1257
Website: Drive.ky.gov
What Types of Trucking Incidents Can You Report?
If you see something, say something. That adage encourages citizens to report any type of suspicious activity. It can also apply to trucking safety. You are entitled and encouraged to report the following as it pertains to a truck driver:
- Safety violations
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance
- Failure to comply with safety regulations.
- Reckless driver behavior, such as speeding or lane changes without signals.
- Texting while driving
- Driving under the influence
- Any cargo spills or leaks
If you get involved in a car accident, you will exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. If you’re involved in a crash with a truck, you will need to get more information than just the driver’s phone number.
Here’s what you need to obtain:
- The transportation company’s name (often found on the cab)
- Number assigned by the U.S. Department of Transportation
- The number of the motor carrier
- The truck and the driver’s description
- The accident’s date, time, and place
Why Reporting a Trucking Company Violation Matters
When you see a truck engaged in unsafe practices, you might think that making a report against the trucking company won’t matter, or someone else might make the same report. Your report does matter, especially when you make it with a federal or state government agency. Those agencies are obligated to follow up on every report.
Those reports are also part of the data used in improving road safety. For example, the National Safety Council finds that in their most recent data, 5,375 trucks were involved in a fatal crash, and another 114,552 large trucks were involved in crashes that resulted in an injury.
One report can put a stop to reckless driving, and that can result in saving lives.
Getting Peterson Law Office Involved
In the aftermath of a truck accident, federal agencies will conduct an independent investigation to determine the cause. That begins with testing the driver at the scene for alcohol or drug use. It is important that you have access to the findings of that investigation in order to pursue your complaint.
Peterson Law Office can help obtain those findings. We can also expand the investigation to determine if there are other parties beyond the truck driver who should be held responsible for the accident.
Our investigation might find that the trucking company was lax in their hiring practices, or they forced the driver to ride beyond the recommended service hours. There could also be issues with maintenance on the truck or with how the cargo was loaded. When it comes to getting a fair settlement for our clients, all options are on the table.
If you’ve been involved in an incident with a truck, we want to hear from you. Call to set up a free consultation to discuss what happened.
