When Poor Truck Maintenance Has Disastrous Results
Most truck accidents are disastrous. When a heavily loaded commercial truck collides with a smaller vehicle, serious or fatal injuries are almost inevitable. How could any ca be expected to hold up against a vehicle that weighs upwards of 80,000 pounds? After a truck accident you may pin the blame on driver error, but that isn’t always the case. Sadly, in some cases, big-rig accidents are the direct result of a failure to inspect and maintain the truck as required by law.
The Importance of a Properly Maintained Truck
Timely maintenance ensuring trucks are in proper working order is not only essential but is mandated by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). A failure to inspect, repair, maintain, or ensure truck parts and accessories are in safe and proper condition can leave an innocent person facing a lifetime of disabilities, or a family grieving the loss of a loved one.
You may have a personal injury case if you have been in in a truck accident in which any of the following contributed to the collision:
Rear-end collision. The big-rig is unable to come to a complete stop due to faulty or poorly maintained brakes and impacts the back of another vehicle. Commercial trucks are difficult to stop even when the brakes are in top working order. While a rear-end collision between two passenger vehicles can be fairly minor, a vehicle as large and as heavy as a truck can, and often does, crush the car in front of it.
Rollover. If a truck driver cannot decelerate to avoid a collision with another car or an object in the road, the driver may resort to evasive steering maneuvers. Such a sudden turn can easily cause the truck to flip and then rollover, potentially spilling dangerous cargo in the process.
Jackknife. When the braking system is not properly maintained, it may contribute to a jackknife, which is when the trailer of the truck swings out to the side, creating a 90-degree angle with the cab. Such a massive force causes the truck to sweep and collide into all vehicles in its path.
T-bone. The crushing force of a heavily loaded commercial truck impacting a passenger vehicle may be the result of a failure to maintain the truck’s safety systems as required by law.
Maintenance Issues that Cause Truck Accidents
When you buy a car, you do so with the understanding that you will need to bring it into the mechanic at least a few times during the car’s lifetime. The wear and tear of the road will naturally cause a few issues. Trucks, given how long and often they are active and on the road, need constant maintenance in order to function properly. Otherwise, life-threatening issues can arise.
Brakes. When a truck cannot stop or slow efficiently, it can lead to disaster. Truck brakes require maintenance specialists to check all the parts for wear and leaks in the hydraulic system. Deterioration of any part of a commercial truck’s braking system can be the cause of horrific fatal accidents.
Tire blowout. Drivers that get on the road with old, damaged, or unevenly worn tread on tires run the risk of having a tire blowout. Blowouts can lead to losing control of the truck, especially when it is moving at high speed. Truck tire blowouts are often due to a failure to inspect and maintain tires.
Lights. Poorly maintained or improperly connected brake lights cause accidents when vehicle operators are unaware the truck is braking.
Truck drivers are primarily responsible for inspecting and identifying maintenance issues with eighteen-wheelers, but they are not the sole responsible parties. However, trucking companies or maintenance firms may be liable in cases of substandard repair work. For example, if a mechanic noticed that the tires of a truck are too worn down, but the trucking company doesn’t want to bother with the cost of getting new tires, then the company would be responsible for the resulting accident.
Texas Truck Accident Attorneys
At the Lenahan Law Firm, our attorneys have the experience, dedication, and resources you will need on your side in a truck accident injury claim or lawsuit. We are dedicated to the pursuit of justice and fair compensation for truck accident victims and their families. Truck accidents occur at a staggering rate across the state of Texas.
Our litigation team has what it takes to win – dedication, extensive experience at trial, and a track record of recovering millions of dollars in damages. Call (214) 295-1008 for a free case evaluation, or fill in our online form. Our cases are represented on a contingency fee basis – no legal fees unless we win a recovery for you.
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