A motor carrier number (MC number) is a registration number required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for trucking companies that transport cargo within and outside of their state. Companies use this number to legally transport cargo.
Additionally, lawyers may use this number to look for information about collisions in the aftermath of a crash.
You can learn more about what an MC number is and how it will be used with an Indianapolis truck accident lawyer. An attorney can also provide help and support if you sustain injuries in a trucking accident.
What’s a Motor Carrier Number (MC Number)?
An MC number serves as a necessary registration number for some motor carriers. The FMCSA also refers to MC numbers as “operating authority.”
So, what is Operating Authority (MC number), and who needs it? It’s a type of identification that trucking companies must have in some situations. Generally, a company needs this form of identifying if it:
- Operates as a for-hire carrier
- Transports (or arranges for the transport of) passengers in interstate commerce
- Transports (or arranges for the transport of) federally regulated commodities in interstate commerce
Typically, any carrier that plans to engage in transport outside of its home state will get an MC number. So, what’s a motor carrier number (MC number), and how will it be used? This number is used as an identifier that shows a carrier has correctly registered with the FMCSA.
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Do Trucks Need to Complete Other Registration in Indiana?
Trucking companies that operate in Indiana may need to complete additional registrations. For example, a carrier may need to complete Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) and apply for Indiana Operating Authority.
Additionally, many carriers that only operate in the state of Indiana will need Indiana ID Numbers and USDOT numbers. What is a USDOT number? Much like an MC number, a USDOT number serves as identification.
Trucking companies that do not have the appropriate registrations can face legal repercussions.
What Happens if Trucking Companies Lack Proper Registration?
Trucking companies that do not correctly secure all applicable registration (including an MC number) may face fines and other sanctions. The results of improper registration can vary.
Are MC Numbers Used After Accidents?
In some cases, MC numbers become important after trucking accidents. Generally, the FMCSA requires trucking companies to report accidents if they involve at least:
- One disabled vehicle
- One significant injury
- One fatality
The FMCSA may investigate reported accidents, potentially determining the cause of the crash. The FMCSA can include the results of its investigation in the report, which may attach to the MC Number used by the trucking company.
An Indianapolis personal injury lawyer may, therefore, use the MC Number to find official reports tied to truck accidents. The information in these reports could help an attorney establish liability and fault for a collision.
What Other Information Do Lawyers Need After Crashes?
Attorneys can look for many different forms of evidence after a trucking accident. Depending on the facts surrounding a crash, a lawyer may:
- Interview eyewitnesses to get firsthand accounts of what happened
- Visit the scene of the trucking collision
- Collect surveillance footage from local businesses
- Get information from the truck’s data recorder
- Obtain a copy of the police report
Lawyers must begin an investigation quickly after a truck crash to have the best chance of securing all relevant evidence. For example, the trucking company may attempt to get rid of information if a lawyer cannot move to stop them.
Therefore, the professionals strongly suggest that anyone hurt in a truck crash reach out to a law firm right away for help.
Getting legal assistance quickly can allow truck accident victims to secure the funds they need to cover their:
- Current and long-term medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Vehicle repairs
- Pain and emotional distress
- Mental anguish
Attorneys can help after head-on, rear-end, and side-impact accidents involving large trucks. An attorney can also assist after a fatal collision in Indiana, providing detailed information about wrongful death claims.
Learn More About MC Number Uses
What is a motor carrier number (MC number), and how will it be used in the event of an accident? This number represents one possible form of identification required by the FMCSA for motor carriers.
In the event of an accident, your attorney may use this number to find any official reports filed by the FMCSA about the crash. The information in these reports could strengthen a truck accident claim and boost your chances of securing fair compensation for your losses, including the costs of healthcare, lost wages, pain, and emotional suffering.
Our team at Vaughan & Vaughan understands all the steps required to build a strong personal injury claim after a trucking crash. We’ve served clients in Indiana for over 110 years and can apply our experience to your claim. Find out more by calling or completing our online contact form.
