Semi-trucks and passenger vehicles share the road every day. So it is no surprise that tractor-trailer trucks and passenger vehicles are occasionally involved in accidents with each other. Given the size differential, semis usually come out on the better end of the accident, injuring many of the drivers and passengers of the other vehicles involved.

Being that 18-wheelers pose a safety concern to other vehicles, it is of the utmost importance that semi drivers are professionals and safe. Unfortunately there are unsafe semi drivers on the road. From speeding to being medically unqualified to drive for extended periods of time to being fatigued and exceeding hours of service (HOS) limitations, unsafe semi-truck drivers put everyone on the road at risk.

Red List?

Rumor has it that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) keeps a list of the drivers who are guilty of serious offenses. The so-called “red list” is used by the FMCSA to keep track of bad drivers and to “monitor” the trucking companies that those drivers work for, according to Annette Sandberg, a former FMCSA Administrator.

Discussing the FMCSA Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) 2010 system, Sandberg noted that the red list is “woven into” the new system. By having the red list, the FMCSA is able to keep closer tabs on the drivers that are considered to be the worst drivers on the road and to ensure that those drivers are not continuing to commit serious violations that put other drivers at risk. The FMCSA denies the list exists.

According to the FMCSA, the CSA 2010 is an “initiative to improve large truck and bus safety” in an effort to reduce “crashes, injuries and fatalities.” The CSA 2010 system is used by the FMSCA and state authorities to identify possible safety issues, through an enforcement and compliance model, before accidents occur. The FMCSA notes that the CSA 2010 system “red flags” violations, but only to bring these violations to an investigator’s attention when conducting a review so that the investigator can look into these violations.

Employer Liability

If you have been injured in an accident with a semi-truck, the driver and the driver’s employer may be liable for your injuries – especially if the employer was aware of dangerous practices by the driver. An attorney experienced in handling trucking accidents can help you determine who can all be held liable for your injuries. Contact an experienced attorney to help you protect your rights and to seek compensation for your injuries.