I spend a lot of time listening to the client. You begin, then, to hear things that you didn’t think were possible. The imagination starts working and then you find a way.
Long Beach Failure to Maintain Lawyers
Representing Injured Truck Accident Victims
For the public safety, commercial trucking companies are subject to federal regulations concerning the maintenance of their big rigs. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations state: “Every motor carrier shall systematically inspect, repair, and maintain, or cause to be systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained, all motor vehicles subject to its control.” Parts and accessories must be in safe and proper condition at all times, and certain items on a truck must be inspected at least every 90 days.
Trucking companies that fail to maintain their vehicles in proper working condition create a risk for everyone on the roads. If you have been injured in a collision caused by failure to maintain a truck, your best course of action is to speak to an experienced Long Beach personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
How Do Trucking Companies Fail to Maintain Their Vehicles?
Some trucking companies may fail to maintain their vehicles in compliance with federal standards. Truck accidents can occur when carriers:
- Fail to maintain the brakes: Brake problems are a leading factor associated with large commercial trucks involved in crashes. Because of their size and weight, semi tractor-trailers need more time and distance to stop than other vehicles. When the brakes fail because they were not properly maintained, it can have catastrophic consequences for other motorists, bicyclists, or pedestrians.
- Fail to maintain the trailer: The trailer on a big rig must be properly aligned and safely secured to the cab. Misalignment can increase pressure on the tires, which can impair the driver’s ability to control the rig. It can also cause the tires to wear unevenly, potentially leading to a blowout.
- Fail to maintain the tires: Truck tires must be regularly inspected, maintained, and repaired or replaced. If they blow out at highway speeds, it can cause the driver to lose control of the truck. A big rig may jackknife or rollover after a tire blows out, hitting other vehicles and blocking lanes of the highway, potentially causing multi-vehicle pileups.
Why Do These Accidents Occur?
Inspections, maintenance, and repairs cost trucking companies money. They must hire and pay qualified people to perform these tasks. It can reduce earnings when a truck is out of commission for maintenance or repairs. Trucking companies may reduce spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs to maximize their profits. This failure to maintain can directly contribute to truck accidents that cause serious, catastrophic, or fatal injuries to others sharing the road.
Who Is Liable for a “Failure to Maintain” Truck Accident?
There may be more than one responsible party for a truck collision caused by failure to maintain. Liable parties may include the truck driver, the trucking company, or another company responsible for maintenance and repair of the vehicle. The firm can thoroughly investigate your truck accident to determine fault and liability and relentlessly pursue the compensation you deserve.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Represent You?
Truck crashes are complex cases involving state and federal regulations and multiple potentially liable parties. Trucking companies and their insurers are prepared to fight back against high stakes truck accident claims. Your best chance of recovering full and fair compensation is to get an experienced Long Beach truck accident lawyer on your side as soon as possible. If you act quickly, your attorney can take legal steps to prevent vital evidence contained in the truck’s black box from being destroyed.
After a serious truck accident, contact The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV at (562) 901-0840 or toll-free at (888) 454-5569 to get a dedicated legal advocate and seasoned trial lawyer in your corner.