Law Offices of Robert Dodson, P.A.

Crash Accountability Analysis to Improve CSA and PARs: Expensive and Time-Consuming According to FMCSA Study

It was noted that over the previous years, ATA keeps on requesting FMCS respectfully, to ‘screen out crashes’ from CSA with a plain evidence of truck drivers and carriers were not to blame for truck accidents. Yet, the agency continues to ignore the crash accountability.

 

Columbia, SC -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/30/2015 -- American Trucking Association (ATA) had expressed their disappointments in the study findings released by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) after the agency failed to show fairness and clarity in regards to trucking accidents where drivers are not at fault. That for the FMCSA, crash accountability analysis is expensive and time consuming; furthermore, will not improve the Compliance, Safety, Accountability's (CSA) ability in identifying carriers most at risk of future accidents.

Reactions from the trucking industry have arisen after FMCSA released its reports recently as a response to the criticism depicting the incapability of the CSA evaluation system of carrier safety to distinguish between the accidents of trucks/drivers to blame and of the accident where trucks/driver was not at fault. Which for ATA, this study shows the agency's 'reluctance to correct a process that is considered to be unfair and unjust'.

According to the study, a carrier that has been involved in a crash, regardless of its role will most likely be involved in another which makes it a strong indicator for future crash risk. And if fault determination is incorporated to improve future prediction by 5%, only 3% of accidents it is represented in the database of the agency. Since incorporating crash weighting determination will improve inconsistently if various weighting approaches are applied in the Crash Indicator.

It was noted that over the previous years, ATA keeps on requesting FMCS respectfully, to 'screen out crashes' from CSA with a plain evidence of truck drivers and carriers were not to blame for truck accidents. Yet, the agency continues to ignore the crash accountability.

"We want to be fairly judged and not be penalized by crashes our professional drivers could not reasonably avoid" said Duane Long, ATA and Longistics Chairman, who is holding out for a more reasonable resolution to the issue and 'good government oversight approach'.

On the other hand, FMCSA is asking for comments in the study and suggestion as to what to do next so they could improve further the data in police accident reports; which for an accident attorney Columbia, South Carolina-based, the move is a must to determine whether carriers/drivers are liable to compensate the damages it inflicted to the victims and if they should be penalized in accordance to the law.

Provided that FMCSA is making its move to meet both ends in this issue, ATA is still hoping that FMCSA will reconsider a complete review process regardless of how long it would take from the initial report to complete an appeal procedure in order to reach a favorable consensus.

About the Law Offices Of Robert Dodson, P.A.
The Law Offices of Robert Dodson, P.A. have handled a broad range of serious injury, wrongful death, and negligence lawsuits arising from car and auto accidents, medical malpractice, workers' compensation claims and traumatic injuries. They are devoted to providing the highest quality representation for complex litigation matters. They approach cases with dedication, innovation, and creativity, with the knowledge and resources to battle insurance companies and large corporations to achieve justice. They fight for your rights.