Trucking company owners have found bureaucratic loopholes that enable them to continue operating despite repeated road violations, insurance issues, multiple accidents or unlicensed drivers. These companies can shut down in one name and reappear as a “chameleon carrier,” often within days.
The companies have manipulated the system, thus enabling them to shut down under one name and reappear with a different name and a new USDOT number. This is because the USDOT researches only 2 percent of the applications. Companies that shut down and reappear under new names often use the same trucks that may be in violation of industry standards and use the same drivers who have citations or poor driving records.
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), chameleon truckers were involved in numerous accidents that caused 217 fatalities and injured over 3,500 more. The GAO easily identified chameleon carriers because they used identical driver names, operating phone numbers and addresses.
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If you or someone you know has been hurt by a truck driver, meet with a truck accident lawyer at Shane Smith Law. We can assist you in every stage of your case including obtaining the available evidence.
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