Finding the Dirt on Unsafe Trucking CompaniesBy: Steven M. Gursten - Michigan Auto Lawmichiganautolaw.commichiganautolaw.com/auto-lawyers-blog/(800) 777-0028

Special Note:This resource will only be available and current through July 2010. If you have any questions related to a truck company or driver associated with your accident, or require legal guidance from a truck accident attorney, please contact Michigan Auto Law at:(800) 777-0028

This resource will only be available and current through July 2010.

If you have any questions related to a truck company or driver associated with your accident, or require legal guidance from a truck accident attorney, please contact Michigan Auto Law at:

What is Safe Stat?The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Safe Stat web site is a free, valuable resource for truck accident attorneys and Michigan drivers. By simply logging on, someone investigating a truck crash can access the Department of Transportation’s “snapshot” assessment of a particular trucking company’s regulatory compliance. Keep in mind, the data changes and is updated as time passes.

Where Do I Start?Log onto http://safersys.org/This is the FMCSA Safety & Fitness Electronic Records System Web pageScroll down to “FMSCA Searches”Click on “SafeStat Online”

Welcome to Safe StatSingle Carrier Search Enter the truck company’s carrier name and/or USDOT ID #Click “Search”A list of truck companies will appearClick on the carrier you are researching.

Overview Tab (Carrier Information)Summary of Safety Evaluation Areas (SEAs) this is the most important area on the page

Summary of Safety Evaluation Areas (SEAs) this is the most important area on the page

Overview Tab (Carrier Information)Safety Evaluation Areas (SEAs) are ranked on a Scale of 1 to 100Higher Score = Non Compliant safety history75 + = Very Deficient carrier, subject to increased inspectionsExample: driver safety value of 53.74 & vehicle safety value of 33.62 is still not acceptable SafeStat Score

4 Categories of Safety EvaluationThere are 4 categories of safety evaluation:Accident Safety Evaluation Area (ACSEA)Driver Safety Evaluation Area (DRSEA)Vehicle Safety Evaluation Area (VHSEA) Safety Management Evaluation Area (SMSEA)

Accident Safety Evaluation Area (ACSEA)

Driver Safety Evaluation Area (DRSEA)

Vehicle Safety Evaluation Area (VHSEA)

Safety Management Evaluation Area (SMSEA)

6 Important Tabs 6 Important Tabs at Top of Page:OverviewAccidentDriverVehicleSafetyHistoryNext will be a summary of what to look for under each of these categories.

Accident Safety Evaluation Area tabDetailed Accident Information: Accident Safety Evaluation Area tab leads to detailed accident information for the carrier (past 30 months)Injuries & Fatalities:Initial page shows # of vehicles involved in crashes that resulted in injuries or fatalitiesItemized Vehicle Crash History: “View Detail Data” icon on bottom right-hand leads to itemized vehicle crash history

Accident Safety Evaluation Area tabDetailed Crash History details include crash date, location, whether any injuries or fatalities resulted, VIN and license plate Click on Accident - > new screen provides more detail: police department that responded, police report number, road conditions, type of roadway, citations, etc. ACSEA of 75+ are red flag! Save this accident information & look for trends.Look for Your CaseDetailed information for your accident/case may appear on this page

Driver Safety Evaluation Tab3 Categorical Displays: 1. Compliance Review Results 2. Driver Inspection Results 3. Moving Violation Results

Compliance Review Results“View Detail Data” iconprovides details for carriers with a DRSEA (Driver Safety Evaluation Area) score of 75 + Remember:Score of 75 + = very deficient carrier, subject to increased inspections

Driver Inspection ResultsSelect Data Detail box leads to:All Driver InspectionsOut of Service (OOS) Inspections,including inspections resulting in driver being pulled from service & related violations (i.e. out of hours violations, positive blood alcohol levels, etc.)

Moving Violation ResultsView Data Details provides list of all moving violations the carrier has had over the past 30 months. Click on each citation for details regarding each violationPRINT EACH CASE to IDENTIFY DRIVERDriver names are not listed, but VIN & license plate numbers can be used to identify drivers responsible for each violation

Vehicle Safety Evaluation Tab2 Categorical Displays:Compliance Review Results: “View Detail Data” provides ongoing reviews for carriers with score 75+. Vehicle Inspection Results: See next slide.

Vehicle Safety Evaluation Tab - DetailsVehicle Inspections Every vehicle inspection within past 30 monthsOut of Service (OOS) Inspections Every vehicle inspection resulting in vehicle being pulled out of service Carriers with Score of 75+ Click on each record for more detail. Check to see if the truck involved in your accident had out of service violations Vehicle Inspection Results

Safety Management (SEA) Tab3 Categorical Displays:Compliance Review Results: Violations attributed to carrier’s failure to enforce safety rules (i.e. failing to require drivers to submit inspection reports). Shows failure of oversight & neglect on the part of the carrier.Compliance Review Results Hazmat: Same as above – for hazardous materials carriers specifically.3) Closed Enforcements: Past fines levied against the carrier for failure to properly enforce and oversee safety laws over last 6 years. This is valuable insight into the safety history of the carrier.

HistoryHistory TabHistory gives a very broad review of the carrier’s trends in terms of safety (over past 4 years in each safety category)

Special Note:This resource will only be available and current through July of 2010. A three-year safety report can and should be ordered by anyone involved in a collision with a truck. If you have any questions related to a truck company or driver associated with your accident, or require legal guidance from a Truck Accident Attorney, please contact Michigan Auto Law at:(800) 777-0028

This resource will only be available and current through July of 2010.

A three-year safety report can and should be ordered by anyone involved in a collision with a truck.

If you have any questions related to a truck company or driver associated with your accident, or require legal guidance from a Truck Accident Attorney, please contact Michigan Auto Law at:

Finding the Dirt on Unsafe Trucking CompaniesBy: Steven M. Gursten - Michigan Auto Lawmichiganautolaw.commichiganautolaw.com/auto-lawyers-blog/(800) 777-0028