The Role of Poor Truck Maintenance in Accident Causation
Although they are less common than many other motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents cause thousands of catastrophic or fatal injuries yearly. Several elements often play a role in these devastating incidents, including truck maintenance failures.
Understanding the Significance of Truck Maintenance
Just as drivers need to maintain vehicles properly, it is imperative when it comes to big rigs. These large trucks drive vast distances and are more complex, so they must be serviced and examined every three to six stops.
Without proper upkeep, the long-distance driving of these vehicles could make them more prone to a breakdown, system failure, or other dangerous conditions, leading to injuries or loss of life for innocent drivers and their passengers. Trucking companies and drivers are responsible for prioritizing truck maintenance to help prevent avoidable accidents.
Common Maintenance Issues
When a truck does not receive proper maintenance, many potential issues could contribute to a terrible accident. Common truck maintenance issues include:
- Faulty brakes: Trucks carry a substantial amount of weight, so their brakes must be in impeccable shape to ensure they are able to stop in time.
- Worn-out tires: Tires that are worn out are extremely dangerous and often lead to blowouts.
- Malfunctioning lights: Due to their size, trucks have many large blind spots, making it all the more important to ensure lane changes are made safely and carefully. Malfunctioning lights can prevent this, resulting in accidents.
- Inadequate trailer maintenance: Trucking companies are required to inspect their tractor-trailers and keep complete documentation regarding their condition. Despite this requirement, many often fail to perform these inspections, resulting in terrible accidents.
Neglecting these or any other maintenance-related issues could result in an accident, harming others on the road.
Impact on Accident Causation
Many of these common maintenance issues could increase the likelihood of an accident. For example, if a truck’s brakes are worn out, it could result in longer stopping distances, causing deadly rear-end collisions. Lights are not only essential for signaling that a truck is changing lanes, but they are also necessary for visibility. Without properly functioning lights, a fatal accident could occur. In cases such as these, you could potentially hold the trucking company liable for your injuries.
Legal Implications and Liability
If you were injured in a truck accident caused by poor truck maintenance, it is possible for the trucking company and the driver to both be held liable.
Both parties must adhere to strict federal and state regulations and industry standards regarding truck maintenance. When they fail to meet these standards, it could result in liability for any injuries you sustained in the accident.
Seeking Compensation for Victims
It is important for truck accident victims to obtain the legal counsel of an experienced personal injury lawyer when filing a claim for compensation. A knowledgeable legal team can help strengthen your case by thoroughly investigating the accident and collecting evidence, such as evidence of poor truck maintenance.
You may be eligible to claim compensation for various damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by the accident. Having a Long Beach truck accident lawyer represent you will offer the best chance of achieving a favorable outcome and obtaining full compensation.
Contact an Experienced Long Beach Truck Accident Attorney
The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV in Long Beach, California, has extensive personal injury experience and has been recognized for our commitment to providing effective and skilled legal counsel, with an Avvo rating of 10.0 Superb. Joseph Low is a former U.S. Marine and is prepared to go to war with big, powerful corporations and interests on your behalf.
Our legal team has the knowledge and resources to thoroughly investigate your case, determine liability, and pursue the compensation you deserve. If you have suffered injuries in a trucking accident, we want to hear what happened. Call us at (562) 901-0840 to schedule a free initial consultation with no obligation.