One of the most important questions your attorney will investigate after a truck accident in Tennessee is whether the driver had a documented history of unsafe behavior behind the wheel. Motor vehicle records, commonly referred to as MVRs, are one of the best places to find that answer. These state-issued reports provide a detailed snapshot of a driver’s past and can reveal patterns that point directly to negligence.
Unlike federal databases that focus specifically on commercial driving activity, MVRs capture a much wider picture. That broader scope is exactly what makes them so useful when building a Nashville truck accident claim. If the driver who caused your crash had a troubling record that the trucking company knew about or should have caught, your case could extend well beyond the individual driver.
MVRs Capture Driving Behavior That Federal Records Often Miss
A motor vehicle record is maintained by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and tracks a driver’s full history on the road. While the FMCSA’s Pre-Employment Screening Program only logs commercial vehicle crashes and roadside inspection results, an MVR pulls from every interaction a driver has had with traffic law, whether they were operating a big rig or their personal car.
The types of information found on an MVR include:
- Traffic violations such as speeding tickets, reckless driving citations, and failure-to-yield infractions
- DUI or DWI convictions, which are among the most serious red flags for any commercial driver
- License suspensions or revocations, including the reasons behind them
- Accumulated points against the license, which reflect the overall severity and frequency of violations
- Prior accident reports filed through the state system
The lookback period varies from state to state. Some maintain records for three to seven years, while others keep them on file indefinitely. For a truck accident claim, even a few years of history can be enough to establish a pattern of reckless conduct that should have raised concerns long before your crash occurred.
Federal Law Requires Trucking Companies to Review MVRs Every Year
What separates MVRs from many other types of evidence is that trucking companies are not just encouraged to check them. Under 49 CFR § 391.25, the FMCSA requires motor carriers to pull an updated MVR for every driver on their payroll at least once per year. That annual review is supposed to flag any new violations, suspensions, or convictions that could disqualify someone from safely operating a commercial vehicle.
When a trucking company fails to conduct that required check, or conducts it and ignores what it finds, the door opens to a negligent hiring or negligent retention claim. Your attorney can obtain these records during the discovery phase of your case and compare the driver’s MVR against the company’s hiring and personnel files. If the company kept a high-risk driver on the road despite clear warning signs in their driving history, that evidence can significantly strengthen your claim and increase the compensation available to you.
Call a Tennessee Truck Accident Attorney To Review Your Legal Options
Motor vehicle records are one of several tools an experienced lawyer will use to investigate the truck driver and the company that employed them. When that investigation uncovers a history of reckless driving that the carrier failed to act on, it shifts the focus of your case from a single mistake to a pattern of corporate negligence.
If you were injured in a Tennessee truck accident, reaching out for a free consultation is a good first step to take. Call Woodard Injury Law today at 615-640-1487 for more information.