Truckers and anyone else who holds a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) may have a DAC report. DAC stands for Drive A Check, and reports are handled by a company called HireRight. Thousands of trucking companies use HireRight’s to obtain DAC reports about truckers, and these reports may shed light on certain aspects of truck accidents.
We may request copies of a trucker’s DAC reports after an accident, but it will take some time to receive them. These reports are confidential and fall under the jurisdiction of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. While we cannot obtain a copy directly from HireRight, a trucker’s employer may receive the report, and we might be able to see it through the discovery process of your civil lawsuit. If the defendant is forthcoming with evidence, we may see a DAC report quickly. Otherwise, it could be weeks or longer before we see a report.
Get a private, free legal review from our Maryland truck accident lawyers by calling Rice Law at (410) 694-7291.
How Long Will it Take to Get a DAC Report in Maryland?
We may not be able to get a copy of a truck driver’s DAC report directly, but we may still see copies of the report if we file a civil lawsuit against the trucker and their employer, the trucking company.
When Will I Get a DAC Report?
Technically, we cannot request a copy of a truck driver’s DAC report from HireRight, the company responsible for compiling and issuing these reports. They are private, protected documents available only to truck drivers and their employers.
However, we may see copies of a trucker’s DAC if we sue them for causing a truck accident. If we believe the report is necessary to prove a history of negligence or a pattern of truck accidents, we can get a copy from the trucker or their employer through the discovery process. How long this takes will vary, and it might take several weeks. It could take longer if the defendants believe the report is unnecessary or irrelevant.
When Should I Request a DAC Report?
Our Maryland truck accident attorneys will request available copies of the negligent trucker’s DAC report as soon as possible. In many cases, this involves filing a lawsuit and requesting the report through the discovery process.
It often takes several months just to prepare a lawsuit before it is filed, and the discovery phase of the case may not happen for several more weeks or possibly longer, depending on how long it takes for the defendants to respond to the initial complaint.
Where Do I Get a DAC Report?
DAC reports are typically available through the private company HireRight. The problem is that only a trucker or their employer may request a copy of the trucker’s DAC report. If we believe the driver has a history of negligence and want to see what their DAC report says, we cannot request it from HireRight.
Instead, we may obtain copies from the trucker or their employer in a lawsuit. We will likely need to sue the trucker and the trucking company and request copies of the DAC report through the discovery process.
During discovery, the parties are compelled to exchange evidence that is relevant to the case. IF the defendants claim that the DA report is irrelevant, they may refuse to produce it. In that case, we may need to ask the court to compel the discovery of the report.
Why Are DAC Reports Useful in Maryland Truck Accident Cases?
DAC reports may contain information about a trucker’s CDL status and any violations they may have committed in the past. Sometimes, DAC reports show a history or pattern of negligence, which may be useful in a truck accident lawsuit.
What Information is in a DAC Report?
DAC reports contain various bits of information about a driver with a CDL, including truck drivers. The report may contain information about each state in which a driver holds a CDL, the status of their CDL licenses, and whether they have any violations on their record.
If a trucker has any violations, such as DUIs, license suspensions, or driving restrictions, they should be listed in the DAC report.
How Can I Use a DAC Report in a Lawsuit?
A DAC report may not necessarily be used to prove that a trucker was negligent during your specific accident. However, we may be able to prove that the trucker has a history or pattern of similar negligence.
For example, perhaps we believe that the trucker caused the accident because they were fatigued and failed to stop to rest as required by federal regulations. The trucker’s DAC report may show multiple violations for falling asleep at the wheel and causing accidents. This can help us establish a pattern of behavior that led up to your accident.
What if the Truck Driver Does Not Have a DAC Report?
All truck drivers with properly issued CDLs should have a DAC report. If there is no report or any other record of the trucker, they might not actually be a licensed driver, which presents an entirely new problem.
It is also possible that the DAC does not contain any relevant information. If the trucker has a previously clean record with no violations, the report might contain very little information we can use.
FAQs About DAC Reports in Maryland Truck Accident Cases
What is a DAC Report?
A DAC report is an official report about CDL holders and their professional driving records. A DAC report should contain details about states in which a driver holds CDLs, any history of violations, driving restrictions, and other details about the trucker’s driving history and record.
Why Would Someone Need a Copy of a DAC Report?
Typically, truckers need DAC reports when applying for jobs. Trucking companies may obtain copies of DAC reports to verify a potential employee’s background and driving history. Additionally, we may need copies of a DAC after a truck accident. The DAC report may show that the trucker has a history of negligence.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Copy of a DAC Report in Maryland?
It may take a while before we see a copy of the report. To get a copy through the discovery process, we must file a lawsuit first, which can take several months to prepare. If the defendants argue that the DAC report should not be included in discovery, it could take several more weeks before the court formally compels the discovery of the report.
Are DAC Reports Always Necessary in Maryland Truck Accident Cases?
DAC reports can be helpful, but they might not always be totally necessary. If we believe the trucker has a history of safety violations that are relevant to the current accident, the report may be more important. If the trucker’s record is otherwise clear and they have no history of violations, the report might not be helpful or necessary to your claims.
Can I Sue a Negligent Trucker if Their DAC Report is Clean?
Yes. Even if the trucker’s DAC report does not show any history of violations or restrictions, you can still sue them for a truck accident. The fact that the trucker has no history of safety violations does not mean that they are exempt from liability for a new accident. It only means we will need to look elsewhere for evidence.
Speak to Our Maryland Truck Accident Lawyers for Help Today
Get a private, free legal review from our Aspen Hill, MD truck accident lawyers by calling Rice Law at (410) 694-7291.