Unsafe truck drivers pose a risk to themselves and others on the road. They also represent a financial risk to the trucking companies that employ them. If an unsafe trucker gets into a crash in the St. Louis area, you can expect it to cause much more serious injuries and property damage than a passenger car accident.
The St. Louis truck accident lawyers of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC help truck accident victims recover compensation for their losses in accidents caused by commercial truck drivers. In addition to our experienced attorneys, our legal team includes private investigators, mechanical experts and accident reconstruction specialists who focus on investigating truck accidents on behalf of injured clients.
Hiring a truck accident attorney gives you a better chance of recovering compensation after you have been injured in a truck accident. But if you see an unsafe truck driver before an accident, you may save lives by reporting him or her. Below we discuss several ways to report a semi-truck driver who may pose a threat to others on the road.
Calling the Trucking Company to Report a Driver
A trucking company can be held liable for accidents and injuries caused by drivers they employ. Most trucking companies want to know about unsafe drivers operating in their name.
You may see a “How’s my driving?” sign on the truck. The phone number it provides goes to the trucking company. Call it — but not while you are driving. Stop somewhere safe or have an adult passenger call.
Otherwise, you may be able to identify the truck owner by finding a company name on the truck or a number on the side of the truck that is preceded by the letters USDOT. You can search by DOT number here to identify the truck owner.
Calling the Police About a Dangerous Truck Driver
If a commercial truck is being driven in a manner that creates an immediate danger, you should contact local police at 911. On a rural state highway or interstate, call *55 from a cell phone or 1-800-525-5555 for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Notifying law enforcement would be the appropriate action to take if a truck is speeding excessively, aggressively passing, weaving in and out of lanes, having trouble maintaining its lanes or otherwise being driven in a dangerous manner.
Reporting Unsafe Truck Drivers to the Government
Trucking is one of the most highly regulated industries in the country. Rules and regulations imposed on truck drivers and trucking companies by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MO DOT) carry the weight of law.
If you have witnessed a truck in violation of FMCSA regulations, such as vehicle or driver safety issue, within the last 90 days you may report it to the FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database. You can also call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238). This complaint requires, at a minimum:
- Your name, address, and telephone number.
- The name, address, and telephone number of the trucking company.
- Origin and destination of the shipment.
- The Department of Transportation and Motor Carrier (trucking company) identification numbers, if available.
- Specific violation(s) alleged.
Typically, the FMCSA must receive multiple complaints about a driver or company before it will investigate, so your complaint may help to establish a pattern that spurs action.
If you know a truck driver who is causing a problem operates only within Missouri, you can report him or her to MO DOT’s Motor Carrier Services at 1-866-831-6277 or contactmcs@modot.mo.gov.
Get A Free Case Review With Our Experienced St. Louis Truck Accident Attorneys
If you have been significantly injured in a truck accident that was not your fault, you may be eligible for compensation to pay your medical bills and other losses. Contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC today by filling out our online form or phoning (314) 367-2661 to schedule a free legal consultation about recovering compensation for you.
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