Government accident data repositories (e.g., NHTSA, FARS)

Government crash data repositories provide lawyers with reliable statistics and accident details. These databases are essential for building arguments, supporting expert testimony, and identifying broader safety trends in truck accident cases.

Truck Accident Law Team avatar
  • Truck Accident Law Team
  • 2 min read
Article 9 of 10 in Resources for Truck Accident Lawyers/

Government Accident Data Repositories for Truck Accident Lawyers

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

  • Collects nationwide crash statistics, vehicle safety ratings, and traffic research.
  • Provides annual Traffic Safety Facts Reports that include truck-related crashes.
  • Useful for showing national trends in truck accident causes.

Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

  • Comprehensive database of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. since 1975.
  • Contains details on drivers, vehicles, weather, road conditions, and contributing factors.
  • Helps attorneys highlight patterns of negligence or industry risks.

General Estimates System (GES) / Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS)

  • Collects nationally representative data on all police-reported crashes, not just fatal ones.
  • Provides context for non-fatal truck accident cases.

State-Level Repositories

  • Many states maintain their own crash databases.
  • Examples: Texas Crash Records Information System (CRIS), California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS).
  • Attorneys use these for jurisdiction-specific accident statistics.

Application in Litigation

  • Strengthens expert witness testimony with government-backed statistics.
  • Provides context for jury arguments by showing industry-wide safety issues.
  • Supports policy arguments in appeals or legislative advocacy.

Advantages

  • Free and publicly accessible.
  • Considered highly reliable and credible in court.
  • Data can be cross-referenced with FMCSA records for deeper analysis.

Summary: Government accident data repositories such as NHTSA and FARS provide truck accident lawyers with authoritative crash statistics and trends. These resources bolster case arguments, support expert testimony, and reveal systemic safety issues across the trucking industry.

Comment

Disqus comment here

Truck Accident Law Team

Written by : Truck Accident Law Team

Attorneys, investigators, and legal writers focused on U.S. trucking safety, litigation strategy, and victim advocacy.

Recommended for You

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) resources

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) resources

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) provides a wide range of resources that truck accident lawyers can use to strengthen cases, including safety data, research reports, and policy guidance.

Case law databases and court docket systems

Case law databases and court docket systems

Truck accident litigation relies heavily on legal precedent and ongoing case monitoring. Case law databases and docket systems give attorneys access to vital legal decisions and procedural updates.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website and database

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website and database

The FMCSA website and database provide essential tools for truck accident lawyers, offering access to federal regulations, safety data, and enforcement records crucial for case preparation.

Expert witness testimony

Expert witness testimony

Truck accident cases often involve highly technical evidence. Expert witnesses play a crucial role in explaining complex issues to jurors and judges in a clear and credible manner.