The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict requirements for trucks to have certain lights and reflectors to keep tractor trailers visible and conspicuous at night and in bad weather. Most people do not realize that the FMCSA has additional requirements for the outer appearance of commercial trucks and vehicles. Specifically, much of the signage and lettering on semi-trucks and tractor trailers is there for one reason—to comply with FMCSA regulations. Many of the signs on commercial trucks is actually put in place to notify other motorists on the road of information regarding the truck, the truck owner, and who may be held responsible for any accidents caused by the truck. This information is all extremely important in case accident victims wish to file al legal claim, therefore truck signage should always be visible and up to date. If you are ever in an accident with a commercial truck, you always want to ensure you take down the information from the truck’s signage or even take a photo of the signs. You should then contact an experienced truck accident lawyer in Corinth who can use the information you gathered to get you the compensation you deserve.
According to FMCSA regulations, trucks must have the following information on their signage:
- The trade name or name, as registered with the FMCSA, of the truck’s legal carrier and operator
- The letters USDOT next to the operator’s assigned identification number issued by the FMCSA
If any other names appear on the trucks, the operator’s name should be clearly identified as such. Furthermore, all required lettering should be highly visible, usually in colors that sharply contrasts with the body of the trailer. This information should also be displayed on both sides of the trailer. All signs should be regularly checked for dirt or peeling letters.
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If you are injured in a truck accident, you should always take a record of this highly important information as displayed on the truck. It is also important that you contact a truck accident attorney as soon as possible so he can start working on your case. Call Shane Smith Law today at (980) 246-2656.