BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories)
Definition
BASIC stands for Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories, which are safety ratings used by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to evaluate commercial motor carriers. The BASIC system measures performance in seven categories: unsafe driving, crash indicator, hours-of-service compliance, vehicle maintenance, controlled substances/alcohol, hazardous materials compliance, and driver fitness.
How It’s Used in Personal Injury Cases
In trucking accident cases, a motor carrier’s BASIC scores provide valuable evidence of prior safety problems. High percentile scores in relevant categories indicate the company had notice of safety deficiencies before your accident occurred. This evidence can support claims of negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance. It can also demonstrate the carrier prioritized profits over safety, potentially supporting punitive damages claims.
Practical Example
After an 18-wheeler accident caused by brake failure, investigation revealed the trucking company had a BASIC score in the 95th percentile for vehicle maintenance—meaning it performed worse than 95% of similar carriers. Prior inspections documented brake violations on multiple trucks in its fleet. This BASIC evidence demonstrated the company had ongoing knowledge of maintenance problems yet failed to correct them, supporting claims of gross negligence.
Why It Matters to Your Case
BASIC scores provide publicly available evidence of a trucking company’s safety history. Poor scores in categories related to your accident can prove the company knew about safety problems and failed to address them. This evidence strengthens your case against the trucking company beyond just the driver’s negligence and can support claims for enhanced damages based on corporate misconduct.
Key Takeaway
BASIC scores reveal a trucking company’s safety record—poor scores in relevant categories can prove the company knew of safety problems before your accident and failed to address them.