When a tractor-trailer crash happens on I-75 outside Macon or along one of Georgia’s busy freight corridors, one of the most important and overlooked steps after the wreck is learning more about the trucking company itself.
Before filing a claim, it’s essential to understand whether the trucking company has a history of safety violations, poor driver management, or mechanical issues. This information doesn’t just satisfy curiosity, but it can strengthen your case and reveal patterns of negligence.
In this short trucking guide, the trucking lawyers at Brodie Law Group explain how to look up a trucking company’s safety record, what the data means, and why it matters for your Georgia truck accident claim.
If you need immediate help, our Georgia Trucking Accident Lawyers are here to help. Schedule a FREE injury consultation today.
Why a Trucking Company’s Safety Record Matters in a Georgia Truck Accident Claim
Every trucking company operating in Georgia, whether locally or interstate, must follow strict federal and state safety laws. When these companies cut corners, the consequences are often catastrophic. Here’s how a trucking company’s negligence can affect the safety of our roadways here in Georgia.
A poor safety record can reveal:
- A pattern of hiring unqualified or unsafe drivers
- Improper vehicle maintenance or inspection practices
- Frequent accidents or roadside violations
- Failure to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR)
Under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-6, anyone injured by another person’s violation of a legal duty can seek damages for their injuries. So, if a trucking company ignored safety regulations designed to protect the public, that violation may serve as strong evidence of negligence and be the basis for an injury claim.
For a deeper look at how violations can impact claims, read our article on negligent hiring in Georgia trucking cases.
Step 1: Use the FMCSA SAFER System to Check a Trucking Company After a Georgia Truck Accident
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains a free, public database called the SAFER System.
Here’s how to use it:
- Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
- Click “Company Snapshot”
- Search by the company’s name, USDOT number, or MC/MX number (you can usually find this on the truck’s door or accident report)
You’ll see key data, including:
- Company contact information and operating status
- Type of carrier (interstate or intrastate)
- Safety rating (Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory)
- Number of crashes in the past 24 months
- Inspections and violations involving vehicles and drivers
A conditional or unsatisfactory safety rating means the company failed to meet minimum federal safety standards which is a red flag for your Georgia trucking accident attorney to investigate.
Step 2: Review the Carrier’s CSA and SMS Scores for Safety Violations
The FMCSA also tracks carrier performance through its Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program and Safety Measurement System (SMS) database.
These systems analyze data from inspections, crashes, and violations, grouped into seven categories known as BASICs:
- Unsafe Driving: speeding, reckless driving, improper lane changes
- Hours-of-Service Compliance: fatigued or overworked drivers
- Driver Fitness: licensing, training, and medical qualifications
- Controlled Substances/Alcohol: drug or alcohol use violations
- Vehicle Maintenance: brake issues, lighting failures, etc.
- Cargo-Related: overweight or unsecured loads
- Crash Indicator: frequency and severity of crashes
If a company scores poorly in these areas, it often signals systemic safety problems. Many times these findings are tied to issues like driver fatigue. This is one of the leading causes of truck crashes and discussed in more detail here: Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Violations
Step 3: Verify the Trucking Company’s FMCSA Registration and Operating Authority
Before a trucking company can operate across state lines, it must register with the FMCSA, obtain a USDOT number, and receive operating authority.
This registration process includes:
- Safety certification under oath
- Designation of a registered agent for service of process
- Proof of financial responsibility or insurance coverage
If a carrier fails to register properly or operates outside its authority, that violation could support a negligence claim or even a claim for punitive damages under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1.
You can verify registration through the FMCSA’s Licensing and Insurance database. Read our guide to learn more about how a truck accident lawyer can help here: Why You Need a Lawyer After a Georgia Truck Accident
Step 4: Check the Trucking Company’s Crash History and Safety Violations
In the SAFER “Company Snapshot,” scroll to “Crash Information.” This section lists:
- Total crashes over the past two years
- Fatal crashes
- Injury crashes
- Tow-away crashes
You can also see Inspection Results, which show how often the company’s vehicles or drivers were placed “out of service.”
Repeated failures can point to negligent maintenance or supervision, which are key elements in a Georgia truck accident case. Our article on Georgia trucking evidence spoliation explains why capturing this information early is essential.
Step 5: Look Up Georgia DPS Motor Carrier Violations
Georgia applies many of the same safety standards to intrastate carriers. The Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) enforces these rules on roadways and interstates throughout Georgia.
You can:
- Request carrier safety data through the Georgia DPS Motor Carrier Compliance Division.
- Review inspection and violation records for mechanical failures, hours-of-service violations, or load issues.
Step 6: Have Your Georgia Truck Accident Lawyer Obtain Safety Records and Evidence
If you hire the Georgia trucking lawyers at Brodie Law Group, we can obtain detailed records that aren’t publicly available, including:
- Driver qualification files
- Maintenance logs and inspection reports
- Drug and alcohol testing records
- ELD (electronic logging device) data
Georgia law also supports early action to preserve evidence under spoliation principles. Destroying records after receiving notice of an injury claim may result in sanctions by a Georgia court. This is why we send a spoliation letter immediately after being hired.
You can read more about how this works in our article here: How Spoliation of Evidence Happens in Georgia Trucking Accidents
How This Information Strengthens Your Claim
By reviewing a trucking company’s safety history, your attorney can:
- Prove negligent hiring, retention, or supervision
- Establish negligent maintenance or inspection
- Support punitive damages for reckless conduct
- Identify additional responsible parties
A company’s safety record often provides the roadmap for proving fault and maximizing your recovery.
Common Questions About Checking Trucking Company Safety Records
1. Can I look up a trucking company myself?
Yes. The SAFER database is public, though lawyers can access deeper records.
2. What if the trucking company is based outside Georgia?
If the crash happened in Georgia, your attorney can bring the claim here.
3. How recent is FMCSA data?
SAFER and SMS typically update monthly, but lawyers can request the most current information.
Take the Next Step with the Brodie Law Group
Knowing how to find a trucking company’s safety record is just the first step, interpreting what it means and using it strategically in your claim takes experience.
At Brodie Law Group, we’ve handled commercial trucking accident claims across Georgia from Macon, Warner Robins, to Atlanta and Savannah. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a trucking crash, contact us today at (478) 239-2780 so we can review the carrier’s record, investigate your claim, and help you take action.
Truck Accidents We Handle in Georgia
If you were injured in a truck accident anywhere in Georgia, our attorneys can help investigate the trucking company’s safety record, secure critical evidence, and build your claim. Learn more about our Georgia-wide and local trucking accident services:
Our firm represents truck accident victims across Georgia and the entire Middle Georgia region.
