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Step by step
First, find the USDOT number. Many trucks show it on the cab door, and the police report may list it too. If you only have the company name, you can search by name, but there may be several companies with similar names, so match the city and state. Write down the MC number too if you see one.
Second, go to the FMCSA SAFER website and open the Company Snapshot. You will see the carrier’s legal name, address, number of trucks and drivers, safety rating if it has one, inspection counts, out-of-service rates and crash counts. Third, check the SMS website for more detail on inspections, crashes and investigations over time.
- Find the USDOT number on the cab or in the police report
- Search it on the FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot
- Check the SMS site for inspection and crash detail
- Save or print the pages with the date you looked
What the record shows and its limits
The snapshot can show whether a carrier has many out-of-service orders, a high number of crashes or a poor safety rating. Out-of-service generally means an inspector found a problem serious enough to stop the truck or driver from operating until it was fixed. Patterns of driver or vehicle problems are worth noting.
There are limits. Some SMS scores for property carriers are not shown publicly (FAST Act section 5223). Crash counts may include crashes where the truck was not at fault. And a clean record does not mean the company did nothing wrong this time. The record is a starting point that helps a lawyer decide which records to request.
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Records the company must keep
Public websites show only part of the story. Covered carriers must keep a qualification file for each driver, with the application, motor vehicle record, road test and medical examiner’s certificate (49 C.F.R. 391.51). They must also keep duty status records and supporting documents for six months (49 C.F.R. 395.8). These are not public, but a lawyer can request them.
The snapshot can also help with insurance. For-hire interstate carriers hauling non-hazardous property in trucks rated 10,001 pounds or more must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage (49 C.F.R. 387.9). Our page on owner-operators and company drivers explains why the carrier on the record matters. The insurance on file may belong to a different company than the one painted on the trailer.
What to do now
If you were hurt in a truck crash, get medical care first. Then photograph the truck, every company name and number, and the scene. Get witness names and phone numbers, write down the report number and claim numbers, and keep every receipt. Look up the carrier and save the pages, with the date, in case they change later.
In California, a personal injury lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure 335.1). In Washington, the general deadline is three years (RCW 4.16.080). Do not sign a release or give a recorded statement before you talk to a lawyer, even if the carrier’s record looks clean.
- Get medical care and keep your appointments
- Photograph the USDOT number and every name on the truck
- Save the SAFER and SMS pages with the date
- Do not sign a release or give a recorded statement yet
How we can help
We review the carrier’s public safety data and then request the driver file, logs and inspection records that are not public. That helps show whether the company knew of problems before your crash. Call (310) 552-6959 or use the form on this page. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
To understand who can be responsible, read who is liable in a truck accident. If the carrier is from another state, see out-of-state truck crashes in California. For the data inside the truck itself, read black box and dashcam evidence, or visit our California truck accident lawyer page to learn more about how we handle these claims.
Common questions
Where can I check a trucking company’s safety rating?
On the FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot, which is free and public. Search by USDOT number or company name. It shows the safety rating if the carrier has one, along with inspections, out-of-service data and crash counts. The SMS website adds more detail.
What does out-of-service mean on a carrier’s record?
It generally means an inspector found a driver or vehicle problem serious enough to stop the truck or driver from operating until it was fixed. A high out-of-service rate can point to maintenance or driver problems worth looking into after a crash.
Why can’t I see some safety scores?
Some SMS scores for property carriers are not shown to the public. You can still see inspection, crash and investigation data. A lawyer can request other records from the carrier, such as the driver qualification file and logs.
Does a bad safety record prove the company caused my crash?
No. Your claim still depends on what happened in your crash. But a poor record can show patterns, like brake or fatigue problems, that tell a lawyer which records to request and what questions to ask the company.
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Car and truck accident lawyer — Beverly Law
If you were hurt in a car or truck crash in California and Washington, talk to a personal injury attorney. Free, confidential, English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Related pages
Can I sue a truck driver for hitting me? · Who is liable in a truck accident: the driver, the trucking company or the broker? · Rear-ended by a semi truck: what to do · Hit by a semi truck on the freeway: your rights · Jackknife truck accident: who is at fault? · All car and truck accident questions
Sources
Important: This page is general information about California and Washington law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Last reviewed: November 5, 2026.