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When you're on the road, you want to be sure that all drivers around you are being safe and responsible. Unfortunately, some trucking companies have a bad reputation for causing accidents due to their neglect of safety protocols.
What Companies Have the Most Accidents?
Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows that UPS is one of the worst offenders when it comes to reporting accidents involving their trucks. From December 2021 to 2022, they reported 2,845 crashes, with 1,017 resulting in injury and 68 in fatalities.
FedEx was a close second with 2,770 crashes, seeing 895 result in injury and 73 resulting in fatalities from December 2021 to December 2022. Other major trucking companies like XPO Logistics reported 688 crashes, with 18 fatal accidents during that same period. It's important to note, however, that these figures only represent reported incidents; no data is available for non-reported incidents.
How to Check the Safety of a Trucking Company
One way to check the safety record of any trucking company is through FMCSA's Safer System website. Here users can search reports on any motor carrier registered with FMCSA based on their USDOT number or name. The system provides information about each carrier's safety rating as well as information about any inspections or violations associated with them. Knowing this information ahead of time can help protect yourself from becoming involved in an accident due to an unsafe trucking company.
What to Do When You See an Erratic Driver
If you ever come across a truck driver who is exhibiting erratic behavior such as swerving wildly in and out of lanes, speeding excessively, or driving recklessly in general, it's important that you stay calm and remain alert at all times—even if they appear to be unaware of your presence on the road. If possible, try to move away from them as soon as you can and call 911 immediately if necessary, giving law enforcement as much detail as possible, including the truck's license plate number, so they can track down the driver quickly and safely remove them from traffic if needed.
How To Avoid Reckless Driver
The best way to avoid accidents caused by reckless truck drivers is to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Make sure to drive defensively and keep a safe distance from any large vehicles on the road so you can be prepared in case something unexpected happens. Additionally, never drive while distracted—put your phone away and keep both hands on the wheel so you can focus more easily and react faster if needed. Ultimately, it comes down to being aware and staying vigilant when you're out on the road.
Call Business and Alert
You should also feel free to call the company of any reckless driver you may encounter and alert them to the unsafe behavior you witnessed. This will help keep all drivers on the road safe, not just yourself. While it's important to stay safe in any situation, taking proactive steps like this can help make sure other drivers don't experience the same dangers.
How an Experienced Trucking Accident Attorney Can Help
No matter the situation, it's important to remember that safe driving is always a priority. Being aware of trucking companies with poor safety records, how to check their safety ratings, and what steps to take if you encounter an erratic driver are all key components of keeping yourself safe.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident involving a truck, it's important to contact an experienced trucking accident attorney right away. Witherington Injury Law can help you understand your rights and options and make sure that the responsible party is held accountable for their actions. Don't try to go it alone—get the legal help you need to ensure that justice is served.
If you were injured in a trucking accident, call Witherington Injury Law today at (615) 697-6503 or fill out our form online for a free consultation!