Commercial trucks move millions of goods across the country every day. Most trips happen without incident, but when a crash involving a semi-truck does occur, it leads to a whole series of questions.
Has the driver been involved in other accidents? Did the trucking company properly vet their safety record?
When you know how to check a truck driver’s accident history, that can help answer those questions.
Several federal and state databases track safety information for commercial drivers and trucking companies. These records can reveal patterns of safety violations, crashes, or compliance problems that may play a role in your truck accident injury claim.
Why Truck Driver Safety Records Matter in Injury Claims
Truck drivers and trucking companies operate under strict federal safety regulations.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) monitors drivers and companies to help make sure they follow safety rules. These records can become an important piece of evidence after a crash.
If a driver has a history of accidents, safety violations, or failed inspections, that information could indicate that the driver, along with the company employing them, was not operating safely. In some situations, a trucking company may be liable if it failed to review a driver’s background before hiring them.
Trucking safety data becomes important in these claims. Safety records can reveal issues such as:
- Prior crashes or DOT crash history
- Hours-of-service violations
- Unsafe driving citations
- Poor trucking company safety ratings
When these patterns appear, they can support claims involving negligent hiring in trucking lawsuits. Many times, a company may have ignored red flags about a driver’s safety history.
Accessing the FMCSA Safety Measurement System
When researching a trucking company, the FMCSA Safety Measurement System contains safety information from inspections, crash reports, and compliance reviews.
The FMCSA safety records search tool allows users to review safety data tied to a trucking company’s Department of Transportation (DOT) number.
Using the system involves these steps:
- Locate the company’s DOT number, which is often displayed on the side of the truck
- Search the number in the FMCSA Safety Measurement System database
- Review inspection data, crash statistics, and safety categories
The system has information on the company instead of the individual driver.
However, it can still reveal patterns. For example, if a company has a high crash rate or repeated safety violations, that information may be important to an accident investigation.
How to Use the Pre-Employment Screening Program
Another useful resource is the FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP).
This program was designed to help trucking companies review a driver’s safety history before hiring them. The PSP report contains five years of crash data and three years of roadside inspection records connected to an individual driver.
A FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program report may include:
- Crash involvement reported to the Department of Transportation
- Inspection violations during roadside safety checks
- Dates and locations of incidents
Unlike the SMS database, PSP reports usually require the driver’s consent or a formal request through an attorney.
Requesting Records from State Departments of Transportation
In addition to federal databases, state agencies maintain driver records. For accidents that occurred in Maryland, information may be available from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.
These state records include commercial driver’s license records, traffic citations, and license status. They may help identify issues such as suspended licenses, repeated violations, or other warning signs.
However, access to these documents can vary depending on privacy laws and the purpose of the request. Some records may require:
- A formal request through the state motor vehicle administration
- Proof of legal interest in the case
- Court-authorized requests or subpoenas
For someone investigating a crash, these records can add another piece to the overall safety picture.
Analyzing the Driver Qualification File
Federal regulations require trucking companies to maintain a Driver Qualification File (DQF) for every commercial driver they employ.
The driver qualification file requirements include documentation such as:
- The driver’s employment application
- Motor vehicle records from previous states of licensing
- Annual driving record reviews
- Medical certification confirming the driver is fit to operate a commercial vehicle
- Records of safety violations or disciplinary actions
These files can be extremely important in accident investigations. If a company failed to review a driver’s safety history or ignored concerning information, those records could play a role in determining liability.
Since these files are maintained internally by the trucking company, they have to be obtained through legal discovery after a lawsuit is filed.
GDH Law Helps Gather Evidence for Your Case
Tracking down trucking safety records can quickly become complicated. Some information is publicly available, but other records require formal requests, legal subpoenas, or access through the litigation process. You need experienced legal help.
At GDH Law, we help investigate truck accidents by reviewing safety records to determine whether a driver or trucking company has a history of violations or prior crashes.
If you were injured in a truck accident, knowing how to check a truck driver’s accident history is only one piece of the puzzle. Our investigations may reveal patterns of unsafe driving, regulatory violations, or negligent hiring practices that contributed to the crash.
And when we learn the truth, we will help you get the compensation you deserve from these negligent parties.
