Large commercial trucks play a major role in the continued operation of the United States economy. These are large vehicles that transport freight across the country every day. Unfortunately, if these vehicles are not properly maintained by the drivers or the trucking company, serious accidents can occur. Here, our Santa Ana personal injury attorneys want to discuss the negligent maintenance of commercial trucks and how this plays into crash litigation.
Truck Maintenance is Required by Law
When we examine regulations set forth by the federal government, particularly the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), we can see that “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.”
The federal government requires that all parts and accessories on a truck be in proper and safe working conditions at all times. The federal government also requires trucking carriers to maintain records of inspection and maintenance for a specific amount of time so that they can be reviewed in the event an incident occurs.
In addition to the maintenance and inspection done by the truck carrier, the driver must also complete daily written post-trip inspection reports that should identify the vehicle and list any defects or deficiencies discovered that could affect the safe operation of the vehicle or cause a mechanical breakdown.
Safety Issues Caused By Negligent Truck Maintenance
If the negligent maintenance of a commercial truck only led to a breakdown of the vehicle and problems for the truck carrier and driver, that would be one thing. However, negligent maintenance can lead to significant safety risks on the roadway that could cause major accidents, property damage, and injuries to others.
These trucks are massive, weighing as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. There are many parts of a truck that must work correctly at all times to ensure the safety of the truck driver as well as other drivers and passengers on the roadway. This includes the steering system, brakes, lights, underride guards, tires, axles, connections between the trailer and the truck, and more.
When something goes wrong on a truck, the driver could lose control of the vehicle and crash into other vehicles or fixed objects. Unfortunately, due to the size and weight of a larger commercial truck, these incidents often affect many other drivers around them and could become a mass casualty incident.
Seek Compensation With Help From a Santa Ana Truck Accident Attorney
In the event you or somebody you love has been injured in an accident caused by the actions of a truck driver or a trucking company, there will need to be an extensive investigation into the truck accident. A truck accident attorney in Santa Ana should get involved quickly to maximize the opportunity to recover compensation.
All too often, when these incidents are investigated, negligent maintenance is uncovered. This could include drivers or companies ignoring obvious mechanical or electrical issues and choosing to operate the vehicle anyway. This could also include trucking companies failing to regularly inspect and maintain each vehicle as required by law.
In the event you were harmed due to the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company, you should be able to recover compensation for medical bills, property damage expenses, out-of-pocket losses, lost wages, and more. The team of attorneys at Callahan & Blaine have the skills and resources to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
