If you were recently involved in a truck crash that you suspect may have been caused by a defect or poor maintenance, you might be confused about how to prove this and how it may impact your personal injury claim. The Scottsdale truck accident lawyers at Stone Rose Law can help you build a robust claim on your behalf. Contact us online or call us at (480) 428-2697 for a free case review.
Dangerous Malfunctions and Defects
Trucks contain thousands of moving parts that work together in the truck’s mechanical and electronic systems. If any of these parts fail, the driver could lose control of the vehicle and cause a serious crash. Some common problems that lead to truck accidents include:
Tire Blowouts
Trucking companies and their drivers are responsible for properly and regularly inspecting and maintaining tires. If tires are not properly inflated or they are too worn, tread can separate and tires can blow out. Drivers will have a hard time maintaining control of the vehicle in such as situation. Tire problems may be the result of:
- Failure to follow federal regulations
- Failure to conduct a pre-trip inspection
- Defective tires
- Worn tread
- Under inflation
- Over inflation
- Air leakage
- Misuse of tires of different sizes
- Mixture of bias and radial tires on the same axle
- Failure to meet minimum tread depth requirements
Brake Malfunction
The federal government imposes strict regulations on the braking systems of commercial vehicles. Trucks have to be able to develop a certain braking force that is based on a percentage of the truck’s weight, decelerate at a rate that is specific to the truck’s size and meet automatic brake adjustment requirements. If brakes do not meet these specifications, they may be unable to bring the truck to a stop quickly enough to avoid a collision in an emergency situation.
Failure to Maintain Trailer
Commercial truck drivers and companies are required to conduct regular inspections of their vehicles, perform necessary maintenance, and keep maintenance records of complying with these requirements. Problems with a truck’s trailer or couplings can cause serious accidents.
Who Is Responsible for Truck Defects and Poor Maintenance?
If trucks are not properly maintained, hazardous situations can result. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets standards to ensure trucks are safe to operate on open roadways. Parties who may be responsible for accidents caused by truck maintenance problems or defects include:
- Negligent truck drivers who do not conduct pre-inspections or notify the trucking company of a mechanical problem with the truck
- Trucking companies that skip inspections or do not follow requirements in an effort to cut costs
- Maintenance companies that the trucking company has outsourced maintenance to that fail to make necessary repairs
- Manufacturers of defective auto parts
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer with Stone Rose Law
Truck accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, and poor maintenance and defects are two of them. If poor maintenance or defects caused your truck accident, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible for your injuries. Here at Stone Rose Law, our truck and car accident lawyers in Scottsdale have extensive experience investigating truck accidents and holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they cause when they prioritize profits over safety. We will aggressively pursue financial competition from the parties responsible for your injury. Contact us online or call us today at (480) 428-2697 to start a free case review.
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