If you witness a truck driver behaving dangerously, you have the option to report them. By doing so, you may prevent a severe or even fatal truck accident. Alternatively, it can serve as critical evidence if a collision does occur.
Reporting Option #1
Call 911 if you believe the unsafe truck driver might cause an accident. Even if you are unsure if you should, it is the safest course of action to keep others on the road safe if your gut feeling is saying something is not right. Be prepared to give the operator any information you can about the truck and its driver, including a description and any part of the license plate number if possible.
Reporting Option #2
If you are not in immediate danger but wish to report an unsafe truck driver, you may contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) when you get a chance. The sooner you file the complaint, the better, but you have 90 days to do so. The FMCSA is a division of the Department of Transportation (DOT) that issues federal trucking regulations and laws and enforces them. An FMCSA complaint can be filed online or by calling 888-DOT-SAFT. It will be investigated, and any discovered violations can carry hefty fines and may result in a truck driver and/or trucking company’s operating license being suspended.
Reporting Option #3
State and local governments also impose their own rules and regulations. If you believe a truck driver is violating a law, you can contact the appropriate state regulatory agency. In California, that would be the California Department of Transportation.
Common Unsafe Truck Driver Complaints
Common complaints regarding unsafe truck drivers include the following:
- Reckless Driving or Speeding: Truck drivers are required to follow traffic laws and adhere to posted speed limits. However, they work on strict deadlines, which can put pressure on them to travel faster than the speed limit or make dangerous decisions in an effort to get to their destination quicker.
- Distracted Driving: Driving a large truck while distracted is extremely dangerous (e.g., eating, talking to a passenger or on the phone, adjusting the radio, reaching for an item, daydreaming, etc.)
- Texting while Driving: It is illegal for truck drivers to text and drive or use a handheld device at all.
- Suspicions of Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol: An intoxicated truck driver may swerve, make abrupt lane changes, erratically brake, drift between lanes, tailgate, etc.
- Fatigued Driving: The FMCSA limits the number of hours a truck driver can operate their vehicle before taking a break or rest period, but there is no guarantee they will follow these regulations. Fatigued truck drivers are three times more likely to be involved in an accident, as driving while tired can have effects similar to being impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Improperly Secured or Overloaded Cargo: Truck cargo can be incredibly dangerous if not secured correctly or overloaded onto a vehicle.
Take Legal Action After an Accident
If you have been involved in an accident caused by an unsafe truck driver and suffered severe injuries, you may have the right to compensation. To discuss your legal options, arrange a free consultation with a San Diego truck accident lawyer today.
