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Vetted Cases

Free U.S. truck-crash tools

How do I identify the truck company and the records that may matter?

Look for the US DOT number on the truck door or crash report and enter it below. The free lookup can confirm the carrier's public FMCSA record. Then choose the kind of truck you saw to make a list of vehicles, people, cameras, logs and cargo records worth asking about. The tool cannot decide fault.

Look up a carrier Build my evidence list

Three simple steps

Start with one number

01

Find the US DOT number

Check the truck door, your photos or the crash report. Save the tractor and trailer details separately.

02

Confirm the company

Use the federal lookup below to see the public carrier name and open the original FMCSA record.

03

Make your records list

Choose the vehicle type to see records that may exist and details worth writing down now.

Look up a carrier by US DOT number

Enter the public number painted on the truck door or written in the crash report. We use it only to open the matching federal record.

Appearance in an FMCSA record, crash count or inspection does not establish fault or a safety conclusion. A missing field does not mean zero.

Match the truck to the records

Match what you saw to records that may exist

Use what you saw, not just a brand you remember. The tractor and trailer can have different numbers and owners. The lists below show records worth asking for; what actually exists depends on the truck and company.

Single-unit or straight truck

Box truck, dump truck, refuse truck, concrete mixer

See records

Write down: USDOT number on the cab, company name, plate, unit number and VIN

Records worth asking about

  • Carrier and operating record: USDOT identity, legal and trade names, operation type, fleet counts, inspections, reportable crashes and safety-rating fields when the source reports them.
  • Vehicle identity and recall record: VIN-decoded make, model, model year, manufacturer and open recalls when a complete VIN is available.
  • Driver, hours and employment records: Driver qualification, duty status, electronic logging, dispatch and employment records may exist. The exact record and retention rule depends on who operated the vehicle and the governing rule.
  • Camera and telematics records: Dash camera, inward camera, GPS, speed, braking, event-recorder and fleet-platform records may exist, but no public database confirms them for a particular vehicle.
  • Inspection, repair and maintenance records: Pre-trip reports, inspections, repair orders, maintenance schedules, tire and brake work and post-crash downloads may exist.

Official indexes: FMCSA Data Dissemination Program, SAFER Company Snapshot, Vehicle Product Information Catalog and VIN Decoder, Vehicle recalls

Open the vehicle-specific guide

Tractor with semitrailer

Dry van, refrigerated trailer, flatbed, tanker

See records

Write down: Separate tractor and trailer plates, tractor USDOT number, unit numbers, VINs and shipping documents

Records worth asking about

  • Carrier and operating record: USDOT identity, legal and trade names, operation type, fleet counts, inspections, reportable crashes and safety-rating fields when the source reports them.
  • Vehicle identity and recall record: VIN-decoded make, model, model year, manufacturer and open recalls when a complete VIN is available.
  • Driver, hours and employment records: Driver qualification, duty status, electronic logging, dispatch and employment records may exist. The exact record and retention rule depends on who operated the vehicle and the governing rule.
  • Camera and telematics records: Dash camera, inward camera, GPS, speed, braking, event-recorder and fleet-platform records may exist, but no public database confirms them for a particular vehicle.
  • Cargo and shipping records: Bills of lading, shipping papers, loading records, weight tickets, seal records and broker communications may identify more organizations and records.
  • Inspection, repair and maintenance records: Pre-trip reports, inspections, repair orders, maintenance schedules, tire and brake work and post-crash downloads may exist.

Official indexes: FMCSA Data Dissemination Program, SAFER Company Snapshot, Vehicle Product Information Catalog and VIN Decoder, Vehicle recalls, Freight Analysis Framework version 5

Open the vehicle-specific guide

Truck with two or more trailers

Double or triple trailer combination

See records

Write down: Tractor and each trailer plate, unit number and visible company markings

Records worth asking about

  • Carrier and operating record: USDOT identity, legal and trade names, operation type, fleet counts, inspections, reportable crashes and safety-rating fields when the source reports them.
  • Vehicle identity and recall record: VIN-decoded make, model, model year, manufacturer and open recalls when a complete VIN is available.
  • Driver, hours and employment records: Driver qualification, duty status, electronic logging, dispatch and employment records may exist. The exact record and retention rule depends on who operated the vehicle and the governing rule.
  • Camera and telematics records: Dash camera, inward camera, GPS, speed, braking, event-recorder and fleet-platform records may exist, but no public database confirms them for a particular vehicle.
  • Cargo and shipping records: Bills of lading, shipping papers, loading records, weight tickets, seal records and broker communications may identify more organizations and records.
  • Inspection, repair and maintenance records: Pre-trip reports, inspections, repair orders, maintenance schedules, tire and brake work and post-crash downloads may exist.

Official indexes: FMCSA Data Dissemination Program, SAFER Company Snapshot, Vehicle Product Information Catalog and VIN Decoder, Freight Analysis Framework version 5

Open the vehicle-specific guide

Delivery or last-mile vehicle

Step van, cargo van, branded rental or contracted delivery vehicle

See records

Write down: Company and contractor names, route or stop record, app record, plate, unit number and VIN

Records worth asking about

  • Carrier and operating record: USDOT identity, legal and trade names, operation type, fleet counts, inspections, reportable crashes and safety-rating fields when the source reports them.
  • Vehicle identity and recall record: VIN-decoded make, model, model year, manufacturer and open recalls when a complete VIN is available.
  • Driver, hours and employment records: Driver qualification, duty status, electronic logging, dispatch and employment records may exist. The exact record and retention rule depends on who operated the vehicle and the governing rule.
  • Camera and telematics records: Dash camera, inward camera, GPS, speed, braking, event-recorder and fleet-platform records may exist, but no public database confirms them for a particular vehicle.
  • Dispatch, route and stop records: Dispatch messages, route assignments, delivery scans, app events and stop histories may identify who controlled the trip and when.
  • Inspection, repair and maintenance records: Pre-trip reports, inspections, repair orders, maintenance schedules, tire and brake work and post-crash downloads may exist.

Official indexes: FMCSA Data Dissemination Program, SAFER Company Snapshot, Vehicle Product Information Catalog and VIN Decoder, Vehicle recalls

Open the vehicle-specific guide

Tanker or placarded hazardous-material vehicle

Fuel tanker, chemical tanker, placarded cargo vehicle

See records

Write down: USDOT number, placard number, carrier name, shipping paper, trailer number and VIN

Records worth asking about

  • Carrier and operating record: USDOT identity, legal and trade names, operation type, fleet counts, inspections, reportable crashes and safety-rating fields when the source reports them.
  • Vehicle identity and recall record: VIN-decoded make, model, model year, manufacturer and open recalls when a complete VIN is available.
  • Driver, hours and employment records: Driver qualification, duty status, electronic logging, dispatch and employment records may exist. The exact record and retention rule depends on who operated the vehicle and the governing rule.
  • Camera and telematics records: Dash camera, inward camera, GPS, speed, braking, event-recorder and fleet-platform records may exist, but no public database confirms them for a particular vehicle.
  • Cargo and shipping records: Bills of lading, shipping papers, loading records, weight tickets, seal records and broker communications may identify more organizations and records.
  • Hazardous-material and emergency records: Placards, shipping papers, incident reports, cleanup records and emergency-response records may identify the material and responsible organizations.
  • Inspection, repair and maintenance records: Pre-trip reports, inspections, repair orders, maintenance schedules, tire and brake work and post-crash downloads may exist.

Official indexes: FMCSA Data Dissemination Program, SAFER Company Snapshot, Vehicle Product Information Catalog and VIN Decoder, Vehicle recalls, Freight Analysis Framework version 5

Open the vehicle-specific guide

Bus or passenger carrier

Motorcoach, shuttle, school bus or transit-style vehicle

See records

Write down: USDOT number when present, operator name, fleet number, plate, route and VIN

Records worth asking about

  • Carrier and operating record: USDOT identity, legal and trade names, operation type, fleet counts, inspections, reportable crashes and safety-rating fields when the source reports them.
  • Vehicle identity and recall record: VIN-decoded make, model, model year, manufacturer and open recalls when a complete VIN is available.
  • Driver, hours and employment records: Driver qualification, duty status, electronic logging, dispatch and employment records may exist. The exact record and retention rule depends on who operated the vehicle and the governing rule.
  • Camera and telematics records: Dash camera, inward camera, GPS, speed, braking, event-recorder and fleet-platform records may exist, but no public database confirms them for a particular vehicle.
  • Passenger and route records: Tickets, manifests, route logs, school or transit records and onboard-camera records may exist, subject to privacy and access rules.
  • Inspection, repair and maintenance records: Pre-trip reports, inspections, repair orders, maintenance schedules, tire and brake work and post-crash downloads may exist.

Official indexes: FMCSA Data Dissemination Program, SAFER Company Snapshot, Vehicle Product Information Catalog and VIN Decoder, Vehicle recalls

Open the vehicle-specific guide

Tow or recovery truck

Flatbed tow truck, wheel-lift truck, heavy recovery vehicle

See records

Write down: Operator name, USDOT number when present, plate, unit number, VIN and dispatch record

Records worth asking about

  • Carrier and operating record: USDOT identity, legal and trade names, operation type, fleet counts, inspections, reportable crashes and safety-rating fields when the source reports them.
  • Vehicle identity and recall record: VIN-decoded make, model, model year, manufacturer and open recalls when a complete VIN is available.
  • Driver, hours and employment records: Driver qualification, duty status, electronic logging, dispatch and employment records may exist. The exact record and retention rule depends on who operated the vehicle and the governing rule.
  • Camera and telematics records: Dash camera, inward camera, GPS, speed, braking, event-recorder and fleet-platform records may exist, but no public database confirms them for a particular vehicle.
  • Dispatch, route and stop records: Dispatch messages, route assignments, delivery scans, app events and stop histories may identify who controlled the trip and when.
  • Inspection, repair and maintenance records: Pre-trip reports, inspections, repair orders, maintenance schedules, tire and brake work and post-crash downloads may exist.

Official indexes: FMCSA Data Dissemination Program, SAFER Company Snapshot, Vehicle Product Information Catalog and VIN Decoder, Vehicle recalls

Open the vehicle-specific guide

Construction or specialized commercial vehicle

Crane carrier, utility truck, heavy equipment hauler or work-zone vehicle

See records

Write down: Employer and owner names, USDOT number when present, equipment number, plate, VIN and work order

Records worth asking about

  • Carrier and operating record: USDOT identity, legal and trade names, operation type, fleet counts, inspections, reportable crashes and safety-rating fields when the source reports them.
  • Vehicle identity and recall record: VIN-decoded make, model, model year, manufacturer and open recalls when a complete VIN is available.
  • Driver, hours and employment records: Driver qualification, duty status, electronic logging, dispatch and employment records may exist. The exact record and retention rule depends on who operated the vehicle and the governing rule.
  • Camera and telematics records: Dash camera, inward camera, GPS, speed, braking, event-recorder and fleet-platform records may exist, but no public database confirms them for a particular vehicle.
  • Work-order and site-control records: Work orders, site logs, permits, subcontractor records, traffic-control plans and equipment inspections may identify additional record holders.
  • Inspection, repair and maintenance records: Pre-trip reports, inspections, repair orders, maintenance schedules, tire and brake work and post-crash downloads may exist.

Official indexes: FMCSA Data Dissemination Program, SAFER Company Snapshot, Vehicle Product Information Catalog and VIN Decoder, Vehicle recalls, Freight Analysis Framework version 5

Open the vehicle-specific guide

Truck crashes on major roads

Where large trucks appeared in the federal crash records

The table shows fatal crashes recorded from 2022 through 2024 on 25 selected road-and-county corridors. A large truck was involved in some of them. That does not mean the truck caused the crash, and these numbers do not include every truck crash.

I-45

Harris County, Texas

Open
Fatal crashes
155
With a large truck
13

I-15

San Bernardino County, California

Open
Fatal crashes
120
With a large truck
23

I-10

Maricopa County, Arizona

Open
Fatal crashes
103
With a large truck
32

US-19

Pinellas County, Florida

Open
Fatal crashes
72
With a large truck
4

I-94

Cook County, Illinois

Open
Fatal crashes
56
With a large truck
6

US-90

Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Open
Fatal crashes
48
With a large truck
2

I-285

DeKalb County, Georgia

Open
Fatal crashes
46
With a large truck
11

I-5

King County, Washington

Open
Fatal crashes
44
With a large truck
9

I-15

Clark County, Nevada

Open
Fatal crashes
43
With a large truck
11

I-95

Prince George's County, Maryland

Open
Fatal crashes
42
With a large truck
7

I-40

Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Open
Fatal crashes
42
With a large truck
20

I-485

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Open
Fatal crashes
41
With a large truck
5

US-25

Greenville County, South Carolina

Open
Fatal crashes
39
With a large truck
6

I-465

Marion County, Indiana

Open
Fatal crashes
37
With a large truck
12

I-240

Shelby County, Tennessee

Open
Fatal crashes
36
With a large truck
4

I-270

St. Louis County, Missouri

Open
Fatal crashes
36
With a large truck
5

I-25

El Paso County, Colorado

Open
Fatal crashes
35
With a large truck
8

I-59

Jefferson County, Alabama

Open
Fatal crashes
34
With a large truck
8

I-94

Wayne County, Michigan

Open
Fatal crashes
33
With a large truck
1

I-55

Hinds County, Mississippi

Open
Fatal crashes
30
With a large truck
2

US-1

Middlesex County, New Jersey

Open
Fatal crashes
27
With a large truck
5

I-90

Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Open
Fatal crashes
27
With a large truck
5

I-30

Pulaski County, Arkansas

Open
Fatal crashes
27
With a large truck
3

I-84

Hartford County, Connecticut

Open
Fatal crashes
26
With a large truck
6

I-495

Suffolk County, New York

Open
Fatal crashes
25
With a large truck
4

Read the FARS corridor method and definitions.

Official sources

Where this tool gets its information

Carrier results come from FMCSA when you run a search. The vehicle guides and road counts use the federal sources below.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

FMCSA Data Dissemination Program

Carrier identity, operating information, inspections and reportable carrier-involved crash records

Checked: 2026-08-25

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

SAFER Company Snapshot

Public carrier record confirmation by USDOT number

Checked: 2026-08-25

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Vehicle recalls

Open safety recalls associated with a VIN or vehicle description

Checked: 2026-08-25

Federal Highway Administration and Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Freight Analysis Framework version 5

Freight-flow context for corridors; not a crash or fault measure

Checked: 2026-08-25

Limits

What this explorer cannot determine

  • A carrier or vehicle appearing in a public record does not establish fault, negligence, causation or legal eligibility.
  • Carrier crash and inspection fields may be absent, delayed, corrected or reported for a period different from the crash a person is researching.
  • Vehicle body classes are descriptive research categories, not legal definitions for a particular crash.
  • The guidance cards below help organize public records and immediate facts. They do not decide case acceptance, legal eligibility or value.

How to use these records

Three guideposts for the next step

Confirm the right carrier or vehicle

Match a stable identifier such as a US DOT number or VIN to a current official source and note the date you checked it.

Avoid mixing up businesses or vehicles with similar names

Read corridor counts as background

The corridor pages summarize FARS fatal-crash records from 2022 through 2024 for named county-road pairs.

Context only, not a danger ranking, crash rate or finding about fault

Record the facts that may identify more evidence

Note any death, hospitalization, surgery, lasting impairment, multiple injured people, government vehicle, hazardous material, or uncertainty about the carrier or employer.

Helps a reviewer identify possible records; it does not decide qualification or value

What you can do here

One place to identify the truck and organize the next step

Use the live carrier lookup, open a guide for the kind of truck you saw, review road-level federal crash counts and carry the details into an evidence list or private case check. The source information on this page was checked on August 25, 2026.

Read the truck evidence guideBuild a dated evidence scheduleContinue to the case check

Put the carrier and evidence facts in one place

The case check can carry the truck type, DOT number and records you have already identified into a private intake.

Start the case check
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