Reporting a Truck Driver in Tennessee

A commercial truck is one of the most dangerous vehicles on a Tennessee highway in terms of sheer size. These vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Any sort of dangerous driving behind the wheel of such a vehicle puts all other road users at risk.

If a truck driver’s behavior made you fear for your safety, it is worth reporting. Conduct that may warrant a report includes:

• Speeding or driving too fast for road conditions
• Swerving, drifting between lanes, or apparent drowsiness
• Tailgating and aggressive driving
• Texting or other distractions behind the wheel
• Suspected impairment by drugs or alcohol
• Unsecured or shifting cargo
• Visibly unsafe equipment, such as bald tires or broken lights

Reporting such behavior may keep the roads safe from negligent truck drivers and free from truck accidents in Nashville, TN.

How to Report a Truck Driver in Tennessee

You have several options for reporting a truck driver’s careless driving:

• Call 911 or the Tennessee Highway Patrol for immediate dangers. If a truck driver poses an active threat, such as suspected drunk driving or extreme recklessness, call 911 or dial *THP (*847) from your mobile phone to reach the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Provide the truck’s location, direction of travel, license plate, and any company markings. Law enforcement will likely dispatch officers to respond to the report.
• File a complaint with the FMCSA. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates commercial trucking nationwide. You can file a safety complaint against a driver or trucking company through the National Consumer Complaint Database at nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov or by calling 1-888-DOT-SAFT. FMCSA complaints become part of the carrier’s federal safety record.
• Report to the trucking company. Many trailers display an employer number to report poor driving. Reports made to the company create an internal record of the driver’s conduct and may prompt the trucking company to take them off duty.

When you make any report, note the date, time, location, and truck details. Save a copy or confirmation number if one is provided.

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When Is a Trucking Company Liable for a Driver’s Negligence?

Trucking companies are generally liable for their drivers’ negligence when the employees’ actions or omissions occur within the scope of their job. A company may also face direct liability for its own misconduct, such as negligent hiring, inadequate training, poor vehicle maintenance, or pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service limits.

A pattern of complaints against a driver or carrier can establish that the company knew about a problem and failed to fix it. Reports can support a claim for negligent hiring, training, or supervision against the trucking company, among other things. 

If you were injured in a truck accident, you should contact an experienced Tennessee truck accident lawyer for help understanding your rights. Your attorney can obtain FMCSA records, prior complaints, and the carrier’s full safety history during the investigation to evaluate whether the trucking company was negligent in keeping a driver on the road.

Call our injury attorney in Nashville at Selvidge Injury Law to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights after a crash.