Request FREE consultation - 1866-758-4529 
You can check a trucking company’s public safety record for free with the FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot. Search by USDOT number, MC/MX number, or company name. The snapshot can show roadside inspections, vehicles or drivers taken out of service, reported crashes, and any federal safety rating the company has received.
If you were hit by an 18-wheeler, start with the USDOT number if you have it. The name on the trailer may be different from the name of the carrier hauling it. Look for the number on the truck cab, in photos from the scene, or on the police crash report.
To verify a carrier’s Texas registration, use the TxDMV Motor Carrier Lookup.
| What to look for | How to read it |
| Company name and fleet size | Match the legal or trade name and USDOT number first. Use fleet size to put raw inspection and crash totals in context. |
| Inspections and out-of-service rates | The rate shows how often an inspection led to a driver or vehicle being taken out of service. Check how many inspections the rate is based on. |
| Crash history | The snapshot summarizes state-reported crashes for the 24 months shown on the report. A crash entry shows the carrier was involved and leaves fault undetermined. |
| Federal safety rating | FMCSA may assign a Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory rating. Check the date beside it. A blank or Unrated field means the snapshot shows no assigned rating. |
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also runs the Safety Measurement System, or SMS. It uses inspection, crash, and investigation data to help the agency decide which carriers to look at more closely. Public access varies by category. A formal federal safety rating appears separately in the Company Snapshot when one has been assigned.
For selected inspection and crash details and results of some reviews or enforcement actions, look into the Company Safety Profile. Authorized company officials can get it through the FMCSA Portal. Other requesters can use the FMCSA Freedom of Information Act process.
When I look at a carrier’s safety record after a wreck, I want to know whether it gives me a lead worth following. If prior roadside inspections show repeated brake violations, I would ask for the inspection and repair records for the tractor and trailer involved in the crash. Then I’d review what the company knew about those vehicles, what work was done, and whether a brake problem contributed to the collision.
The public record gives me a place to start. The evidence I need may be in the company’s files or on the truck itself. If you’re gathering information after a wreck, start with our guide to what evidence to preserve after a Texas truck accident. It covers records such as electronic logs, inspection reports, and onboard video.
If you or a family member was seriously hurt in a Texas truck crash and want help figuring out which records matter, you can request a free consultation with us or call (281) 893-0760.
