Everyone who drives has encountered some version of a bad driver. If you’re lucky, you can spot that reckless driver far enough in advance to let them pass and avoid getting into a collision. You might not be as fortunate if you’re forced to share the road with a negligent truck driver who is barreling down an incline and racing up to your rearview mirror.
That’s a recipe for a catastrophic truck accident. In those instances, you need to know how to report an unsafe trucker in Virginia.
There are two primary agencies you can report an unsafe truck driver to:
Virginia State Police
The quickest way to report an unsafe trucker to the Virginia State Police is to dial #77 on your cell phone.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
The FMCSA regulates the trucking industry. They also investigate any accident involving a truck that results in injuries or significant property damage. To report to the FMCSA, call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238) from 8 am‒8 pm, Monday-Friday EST. You can also submit a report online through the website.
No matter where you report the trucker, you want to include the following information:
- The time and location of the incident.
- A description of the truck and driver.
- The license plate number or portion of the plate.
- A description of the unsafe behavior.
You may also notice a sign on the truck displaying the trucking company’s information. Snap a photo of the info and call when it is safe.
How to Spot a Reckless Truck Driver
There are many harmful behaviors that a truck driver can be guilty of. Any one of the following behaviors could trigger an accident that can lead to multiple crashes.
Speeding
Truckers must follow the same traffic rules as everyone else, and that begins with adhering to the speed limit. In Virginia, for truckers, the speed limits are as follows:
- 45 mph on secondary roads
- 55 mph on most highways
- 70 mph on interstate highways
If you’re driving at the correct speed and a truck races past you, that is something that should be reported.
Tailgating
Typically, tailgating happens in congested traffic when vehicles slow down to a crawl. Even when traffic isn’t moving, tailgating is extremely dangerous. A car that is four cars ahead can suddenly slam on its brakes, setting off a chain reaction collision. The force of a truck slamming into you could lead to whiplash injuries or worse.
Improper Passing
When passing another vehicle, every driver needs to take precautions to make sure that the lane of traffic they are merging into is clear. You can’t just switch lanes without checking blind spots. For a trucker, those blind spots are greater. They need to take extra caution and always use turn signals.
It’s never a good idea to try to speed past a truck to avoid it getting in front of you.
It is also reckless for a truck driver to change lanes excessively in the hope of pulling ahead of slower vehicles. The best practice for a truck driver is to pick a lane and stay there. If you notice a trucker weaving through traffic, honking their horn, and generally causing a disturbance, they should be reported.
Red Light Running
Running a red light is a clear indication of a reckless driver. It doesn’t matter if that driver is in an SUV or an eighteen-wheeler. The same applies to rolling through a stop sign. A truck driver might make the argument that they didn’t have time to stop as the light changed. That would mean they were probably speeding as well.
Recognizing Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is a common occurrence among truck drivers. They should not be driving for longer than 11 hours. While you can’t tell how long a truck driver has been on the road, you can tell if they are driving drowsily if you see them veering into another lane or hitting the rumble strips. Also, if they are randomly braking for no apparent reason, it could be that they’re jolting awake from microsleeping.
You won’t have the opportunity to ask the driver if they’re feeling drowsy, but if you notice erratic driving, it should be reported.
Getting the Right Help After a Truck Accident
If an unsafe truck driver causes an accident, it needs to be reported. The police who arrive on the scene will generate a crash report, and the truck driver is obligated to report the incident to their company.
There will also be federal and state agencies that may become involved in creating their own crash reports. All of those reports can serve as essential pieces of evidence if you are filing a claim against that driver.
The attorneys at Curcio Law have helped many clients successfully achieve compensation from insurance carriers and trucking companies for the actions of a negligent truck driver.
Before you file the initial claim, you must understand all the challenges you might face. We can provide you with the guidance and information you need to make the right decision about your truck accident claim. Our support begins with a free consultation to discuss what happened.
Call to schedule that talk today.
When it comes to unsafe truck drivers, if you see something, say something.
