The FMCSA Safety Measurement System: What It Reveals In An Ohio Truck Crash Claim
When truck crashes in Ohio happen, the trucker’s behavior at the moment of impact tells only part of the story. Their actions in the months and years preceding the injury are also key facts in establishing liability. Federal regulators track the safety performance of every trucking company operating in the United States, and that record can provide powerful evidence in a personal injury claim.
Our experienced Sandusky truck accident lawyers explain what crash victims need to know about the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Safety Measurement System and how the data it provides can impact your claim.
How The FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System Works
The FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) is the agency’s primary tool for identifying trucking companies with an elevated crash risk. It pulls data from roadside inspections, crash reports, and federal investigations, then organizes that information into seven categories called BASICs (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories).
Each BASIC measures a distinct area of a carrier’s safety performance. The seven BASICs the FMCSA uses to evaluate trucking companies include:
- Unsafe Driving tracks violations such as speeding and improper lane changes.
- Hours-of-Service Compliance captures violations of federal rules limiting how long a driver can be behind the wheel.
- Driver Fitness covers issues such as operating without a valid commercial license or without required medical certification.
- Controlled Substances and Alcohol records drug and alcohol violations.
- Vehicle Maintenance tracks brake defects, lighting failures, tire problems, and other equipment violations found during roadside inspections.
- Hazardous Materials Compliance applies to carriers transporting regulated materials.
- Crash Indicator measures a carrier’s history of reportable crashes relative to how much the carrier operates.
The FMCSA updates SMS data regularly, and this data provides valuable evidence in an Ohio truck accident claim.
Why SMS Data Matters In An Ohio Truck Crash Claim
A trucking company’s SMS record can reveal whether a crash was an isolated event or the foreseeable result of safety failures. Here’s how it can strengthen your Ohio truck crash claim:
- Identify a pattern of hours-of-service violations.
- Reveal a history of vehicle maintenance failures and equipment problems the carrier ignored.
- Show elevated Unsafe Driving scores, indicating the carrier tolerated dangerous driving behavior company-wide.
- Establish that the carrier was previously flagged by the FMCSA, undermining any claim that the carrier was unaware of safety problems.
- Support a claim for punitive damages in cases where the carrier consciously ignored a known and documented risk to the public.
FMCSA SMS data can help hold not just the trucker but the trucking company liable for truck crash injuries in Sandusky. However, under the FAST Act of 2015, it takes legal action to compel production of records the trucking company holds internally.
Request A Consultation With Our Experienced Sandusky Truck Accident Lawyers
A trucking company’s federal safety record can be one of the most valuable tools in a serious crash case. At Murray & Murray, our Ohio truck accident lawyers know how to obtain, interpret, and use SMS data to expose carriers whose negligence created the conditions for the crash that injured you. We serve clients throughout Sandusky, Ohio, and the surrounding areas. Reach out today.
Sources:
ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SMS/
congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/22