Semi-truck drivers are responsible for driving safely and avoiding reckless behaviors that can lead to collisions. Crashes involving large trucks and passenger vehicles can cause severe injuries or even death. That is primarily due to the sheer size of commercial trucks and the force with which they collide with smaller cars.
If you witness a commercial vehicle operator engaging in dangerous driving, it’s essential to know how to respond and report a truck driver to the appropriate authorities.
Identifying Reckless Behaviors in Truck Drivers
Truck drivers may engage in a variety of reckless behaviors behind the wheel, including:
- Driving at an excessive or unsafe speed for the conditions
- Failing to signal lane changes
- Swerving
- Tailgating
- Weaving between lanes
- Distracted driving
If you witness these or any other reckless or unsafe driving behaviors, you should report a truck driver to the police, their employer, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or all three. Who you should call about the trucker’s reckless driving may depend on the circumstances.
Calling 911 to Report the Reckless Driving Right Away
Calling 911 is the fastest way to report an unsafe or reckless truck driver. Tell the police the truck’s location (including the nearest mile marker, if applicable) and the direction in which it’s traveling, its license plate number, the trucking company, and any other information you can provide about the vehicle itself. You should also report the concerning behavior you witnessed.
Calling the police is the approach that’s most likely to get fast results and stop the behavior quickly, before the commercial vehicle driver can cause any more danger. However, do not become an unsafe driver yourself. Make sure you can stop in a safe place or use hands-free technology to make the call. Have someone else in the car call instead, if possible.
Using the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Website
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a website where you can report DOT violations. They’ll ask you for details about the incident. The whole process takes about 15 minutes to complete.
The FMCSA uses these complaints to determine whether trucking companies merit further investigation, as well as to gather data about trucking companies and their drivers’ practices and behaviors.
You can also call the FMCSA complaint hotline at 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238).
Reporting the Driver to the Trucking Company
You’ve likely seen signage on the backs of commercial trucks asking some variation of “How’s my driving?” along with a phone number you can call. That is another option for how to report reckless truck drivers. The company typically will take your information about the truck driver’s reckless behavior and may use it in various ways.
Ideally, the driver will be notified and subjected to disciplinary measures if appropriate. However, there’s no guarantee the driver will experience any consequences or that there will be any change in their behavior. Reporting the behavior to both police and the FMCSA may be more effective, but all of these parties should know what the driver was doing to endanger others on the road.
Talk to Our Experienced Tennessee Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you suffered an injury due to the negligence of a commercial truck driver, a knowledgeable Tennessee truck accident attorney at our law firm can help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. The Terry Law Firm has provided high-quality legal services with a small-town, family-style touch since 1960.
Contact us today to discuss your potential personal injury claims in a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights and options.
