Updated on: 9/30/2020
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Sharing the road with a reckless or unsafe truck driver can be a terrifying experience. Truck drivers undergo extensive training and are regulated much more than your average driver, but what can you do if you see an 18-wheeler driving unsafely?
Semi-trucks and big rigs outweigh passenger vehicles by tens of thousands of pounds, and they pose an extreme risk of injury to the average driver if they are not operated safely. That's why drivers have these options to hold potentially dangerous truck drivers accountable before it's too late.
In A True Emergency, Call 911
If you encounter an unsafe semi-truck driver who has already caused an accident or appears to be intoxicated behind the wheel, or if you otherwise feel that what you are witnessing would be considered a true emergency, then you should dial 911 immediately.
By providing all of the information you can to a dispatcher, the emergency responders can send the necessary resources to provide aid to anyone that has been injured or even prevent a serious trucking accident if it has not taken place yet.
It is important to understand that 911 should only be used in emergency situations, and there may be other resources more appropriate for incidents that don't involve an immediate danger to human life.
File A Complaint With The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) manages a database of trucking companies driving records and keeps a permanent record of complaints filed.
Complaints can be filed online or over the phone at 1-888-368-7238 from 5 a.m. - 5 p.m. and uses complaints filed for investigations into the safety practices of both individual drivers and trucking companies as a whole.
Truck drivers have strict limitations including the number of hours they can drive without taking a break, speeds they can travel, inspections and required maintenance, and so on. The FMCSA also monitors violations of these rules and complaints from drivers themselves to find trucking companies who may be coercing drivers into unsafe practices.
File A Complaint With The Local Department Of Transportation
Each state has a department of transportation responsible for overseeing and regulating a variety of transportation-related issues, including commercial transit.
In Washington state, that agency is the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). WSDOT operates a toll-free reporting hotline from 5 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday where people can anonymously report unsafe trucks and truck drivers. Truck drivers can report unsafe practices of their employers as well.
To report any unsafe trucking practices in Washington, visit the WSDOT website or call 360-705-7000.
Proving Negligence In Accidents With Reckless Truck Drivers
In the event of a serious trucking crash, any violations of the standard of care that binds truck drivers and trucking companies can be used to establish negligence. The team of attorneys at Davis Law Group have handled some of the most serious trucking collisions in Washington state and have experience establishing negligence.
Trucking companies and their insurers have an army of attorneys, investigators, and adjusters who work to discredit innocent victims and minimize their risk after a crash. They typically arrive on the scene within 1-2 hours of the collision. The sooner you hire a qualified trucking accident lawyer, the better prepared you will be to protect your legal rights and interests.
Consult With An Attorney After A Trucking Accident
If you or a loved one have been in an accident that you believe was caused by a truck driver or trucking companies negligence than you may have a claim.
Semi-truck accidents are often a result of one of several common causes and due to the nature of the size disparity between semi-trucks and your average passenger vehicle, the accidents are often devastating.
Davis Law Group has been handling serious injury and wrongful death claims as a result of semi-truck accidents for more than 20 years and has a long, successful track record of getting results for our clients.
If you have questions about your legal rights after being injured in an auto accident involving a semi-truck, the award-winning team of semi-truck accident attorneys at Davis Law Group are here to help. Davis Law Group offers free case evaluations for accident victims and their family members with no obligation to sign.
To request your free case evaluation today call 206-727-4000 or use the chat or contact options on this page today.
