How To Report Unsafe Truck Drivers
Every year, hundreds of thousands of trucks are involved in accidents in the United States of America. Because trucks often weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger vehicles, truck accidents can be extremely dangerous. If a truck accident does not result in death, there is a high chance it will result in severe injuries.
Various things can result in truck accidents, some of which are unpreventable. However, the truth is that most truck accidents are preventable. truck driver negligence is one of the leading causes of truck accidents in the U.S. While many truck drivers engage in safe driving, some practice unsafe driving. Despite regulations requiring truck drivers to engage in safe driving, unsafe truck drivers continue to cause thousands of truck accidents yearly.
When you see a truck driver who isn’t engaging in safe driving and is putting other road users at risk, it is vital that you know how to report their actions and hold them accountable. Reporting an unsafe truck driver could save your life and other people’s lives.
How To Report Unsafe Truckers
When it comes to reporting unsafe truck drivers, you have several options. First, you have the option of calling 911. This is the best option if an unsafe driver puts you or others in immediate danger. In such a situation, call 911 and report the situation as an emergency.
Second, if there is a “how’s my driving” sign on the back of the truck, you can call the number underneath the sign to report the unsafe trucker. This could be an option in a non-emergency situation. Phone numbers are usually included in “how’s my driving” signs so that members of the public can call and report the actions of the driver of the vehicle. These numbers are monitored by vehicle owners or third-party companies.
Third, in a non-emergency situation, and if the commercial vehicle is on an interstate highway, you can report the unsafe driver to the FMCSA. The FMCSA is the national regulator for commercial truck companies. To report an unsafe truck driver to the FMCSA, call the toll-free hotline, 1-888-DOT-SAFT, or file a complaint on their website.
Finally, if it is a non-emergency case, you can send an email with details of what happened to the trucking company’s safety director. A responsible company should welcome such warnings and take steps toward determining if the driver should be behind the wheel.
Dangerous Practices by Truck Drivers
The following are some of the dangerous practices truck drivers engage in that you should not hesitate to report;
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Running a red light
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving aggressively
You Can Recover Compensation After a Truck Accident
If you’re injured in a truck accident because of the negligence of a truck driver, you can file a personal injury claim and recover compensation. A qualified truck accident attorney can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Legal Help Is Available
To get help after a Florida truck accident, contact our Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Tampa, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Miami, Orlando, Ocala, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Melbourne, West Palm Beach, and Naples areas.
Source:
iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/large-trucks