In the aftermath of a Missouri truck accident, there are often many parties involved beyond those who actually experienced the collision: different agencies, corporations, insurance companies and investigators all become part of the picture. The Jackson County truck accident attorneys want you to be as informed as possible about the people and entities that could be involved in your commercial truck accident injury claim. You can find some examples of these parties on the following list:
Agencies Involved in Missouri Commercial Trucking and Truck Accidents
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
FMCSA was created from the 1999 Motor Carrier Safety Act (49 U.S.C.), and began operations on January 1, 2000. FMCSA is a division of the Department of Transportation (DOT); prior to its creation, many of its functions were performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The primary mission of FMCSA is to prevent commercial motor vehicle accidents and accident related fatalities and injuries. FMCSA employs 1100 people across the country. They oversee over 500,000 trucking companies, 12,000 bus companies and over 5 million commercial motor vehicle drivers.
FMCSA Activities:
- Partners with federal, state, and local authorities for enforcement of safety regulations
- Develops standards and tests for commercial drivers' licenses
- Collects and disseminates data on motor carrier safety and directs resources to improve that safety
- Monitors regulatory compliance and enforcement and works to remove high-risk motor carriers from the Nation's highways.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
NHTSA, established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970, has a much broader scope than the FMCSA. Its mission is to achieve the highest standards of excellence in motor vehicle and highway safety, which involves the study of all vehicles (focusing on safety, anti-theft measures, and fuel economy).
NHTSA Activities:
- Responsible for reducing traffic crashes and the related deaths, injuries, and economic losses associated
- Setting and enforcing safety performance standards
- Provides grants and funding to state and local governments to conduct highway safety programs
- Maintains FARS (fatality analysis reporting system) and MCMIS (motor carrier management information system) among others
- Promotes safety through various programs such as safety recalls, air bags, and drunk driver and distracted driver awareness programs
- Conduct research of traffic safety and driver behaviors
Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)
Formed in 1979, MoDOT works with public, federal and state legislators; state and local agencies; and others to provide a safe and efficient transportation system. Among its many other duties, MoDOT provides a single location where commercial motor carriers can obtain the information, credentials and permits they need to operate in the state of Missouri. MoDOT also enforces the safety and economic regulations developed by DOT, NHTSA, FMCSA and the state. Also, MoDOT provides one of the primary levels of enforcement and inspection services required to maintain compliance with federal safety regulations.
Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP)
The commercial vehicle enforcement division of the MSHP enforces the regulations of the state of Missouri as well as those of FMCSA and NHTSA. Currently, the MSHP has 132 commercial vehicle inspectors throughout the state. These inspectors are certified to perform safety inspections, vehicle weight checks, and hazardous materials inspections. The MSHP also investigates truck accidents; maintains databases for accident information; and reports commercial vehicle information to the FMCSA
Companies Involved in Missouri Truck Accidents
Several private sector companies can be involved. Sometimes a driver is employed by one company, and the truck is owned by another. Yet another company might own the goods being transported. The insurance companies for each company, and sometimes the driver's insurance company or worker's union, will also be connected to the claim.
This is only a partial list: as you can see, a truck accident injury claim can become extremely complicated. That's why it's important to consult a lawyer any time you are involved in or injured by truck accident. The attorneys at Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C. are familiar with the complications that can arise from such a case. Contact one of our offices and arrange a free consultation meeting: call 1-888-777-AUTO (2886) and see if one of our lawyers can help.