Were Your Injuries Caused By Improper Truck Maintenance?

 Posted on August 23, 2021 in Personal Injury

Though passenger cars and semi-trucks differ substantially in weight, driver field of vision, and stopping distance, they are still expected to safely share the road every day. Unfortunately, when these two contrasting vehicles collide, the crash can lead to devastating outcomes. Oftentimes, truck wrecks are preventable and are the result of negligence. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury or death due to the negligence of a truck driver, the truck company, or other involved parties, a personal injury attorney can help you hold them accountable.

Inadequate Maintenance Can Lead to Large Truck Accidents

Commercial trucking accidents are not only caused by the actions or inactions of the driver while they are on the road. In some cases, these accidents are the result of the driver, the trucking company, and other individuals failing to complete proper inspections and repairs to the truck in a timely manner. Even if the trucking company properly inspects and cares for their vehicles, a truck may still have been manufactured with defective brakes, lights, tires, or other parts.

Several truck features may come into play when improper maintenance leads to a devastating truck accident, with defective tires being one of the most prevalent concerns. The root of the tire defect can be difficult to decipher. The tire may have been sold by the manufacturer in a faulty state, allowing for the possibility of a blowout or other malfunction. Alternatively, the defect may have come about due to a lack of care by the truck company. For instance, if a truck company fails to properly inflate their tires, or allows their tires to become worn or damaged, other drivers sharing the road may be put at risk.

Additionally, properly functioning brakes and well-maintained trailers are essential for the safety of other drivers. The federal government has very specific standards set in place for both of these truck components. However, when manufacturers, maintenance companies, truck companies, and truck drivers neglect these standards, catastrophic accidents become more probable.

Recovering Damages After a Truck Accident

After an accident involving a large commercial truck, investigations may reveal maintenance issues including brake failure, broken taillights, defective tires, and more. For an injured victim to effectively pursue an injury claim to recover damages, they must first identify all responsible parties. It will then be the victim’s responsibility to establish liability, likely in the form of negligence. Regarding commercial truck accidents, liable parties may include the truck driver, the truck company, the maintenance company, or a manufacturer. Furthermore, the victim also must provide evidence of the damages sustained. An experienced attorney can assist truck accident victims in collecting the necessary information and witnesses to support their injury claim and collect any available compensation.

Contact Our Joliet Personal Injury Attorney Today

Pursuing damages from a large commercial trucking company and its employees can initially seem like a daunting task. However, if you or a loved one has been injured due to improper maintenance of a commercial vehicle, you have the option of working with a Will County personal injury attorney who can help you develop an effective strategy and a strong approach to your case. Contact McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC today to schedule your no-obligation, free consultation by calling 815-727-0100.

Sources:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts

https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyplanner/MyFiles/Sections.aspx?ch=22&sec=65