FMCSA: Oversight Body for Trucking Companies

Trucking accidents can be expensive and deadly. One way to prevent such tragedies is to make sure that all tractor trailers in the U.S. are properly registered and insured. This responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The FMCSA was established in 2000 by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The agency was born out of the Federal Highway Administration, and its primary purpose is to prevent injuries and fatalities involving tractor trailers. It strives to accomplish its mission by: 

• Enforcing safety regulations;
• Focusing on high-risk truck drivers and companies;
• Advancing safety information programs;
• Improving tractor trailer equipment, technology, and standards; and
• Raising safety awareness. 

The FMCSA works closely with local, state, and other federal enforcement agencies to monitor trucking activity across the U.S. Some of its activities include: 

• Enforcing regulations pertaining to commercial transportation of dangerous and hazardous materials;
• Testing and licensing commercial truck drivers;
• Collecting and distributing information and data about trucking safety;
• Overseeing programs to eliminate high-risk drivers from U.S. highways;
• Giving financial assistance to states for roadside inspections and other truck safety initiatives;
• Supporting standardized trucking procedures for the continent; and
• Allocating resources to improve and maintain trucking safety. 

If you have questions about regulations or requirements faced by truck drivers, you can contact the FMCSA. If you have been injured in an Illinois truck accident, you should consult a Chicago truck accident attorney about your legal options.

For more information on trucking safety and financial responsibility, read our article on Truck Company Financial Responsibility.

Hiring a Chicago Truck Accident Attorney

With serious medical issues such as truck accident injuries, it's always best to consult a medical professional to help with diagnosis and treatment. During this time, recovering from your injuries should be your main focus, not dealing with insurance adjusters and escalating medical bills. Retaining the legal services of a Chicago truck accident attorney can help you focus on getting better while your attorney deals with the insurance companies on your behalf.

The Chicago truck accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will help you monitor your medical expenses and work toward a settlement to cover all of the treatments you need to get your life back on track. Contact us today for a free case evaluation - 312-263-1080.