The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently ordered two trucking companies to shut down and cease all transportation services. The companies are LEX Express Inc. (DBA Lincolnland Express) from Champaign, Illinois, and Ben Gordon Enterprises LLC (DBA Gordon’s Tree Service) from Slidell, Louisiana.
Ben Gordon Enterprises was shut down after an FMCSA investigation discovered that the company had knowingly violated a federal out-of-service order and continued to operate its fleet of vehicles in violation of said order, disregarding critical safety regulations to prevent truck accidents. The company also used drivers who did not have a valid CDL (commercial driver’s license) and had not obtained medical certificates. Ben Gordon Enterprises failed to implement an alcohol program, did not maintain an accident log or driver qualification files, and failed to keep inspection and vehicle maintenance records.
LEX Express received an Unsatisfactory safety rating on October 22nd, after being found in violation of several federal safety regulations, including:
- False reporting of records of duty status
- Use of commercial motor vehicles that were not periodically inspected
- Failure to properly maintain vehicle parts
LEX Express submitted a proposed safety management plan on November 30th. The FMCSA is currently in the process of reviewing the plan.
If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident, make sure a full investigation is performed to determine whether or not the trucking company violated important FMCSA regulations. Please contact Harvey L. Walner & Associates, Ltd. today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Chicago truck accident attorney.
