Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies have a duty to keep their trucks properly maintained through frequent inspections in order to meet the regulations imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Likewise, the manufacturers who supply truck parts, systems, and other vehicle components are responsible for the safety of their products.
When a trucking accident is caused by faulty truck parts, the manufacturer of the vehicle or its parts could be found liable for any resulting injuries. The trucking company may also be held responsible if insufficient maintenance and inspections may have played a role in the accident. If you or a loved one were injured in a trucking accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation. Contact the truck accident lawyers of Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. today for a free legal case review. If a faulty part may have caused the accident, a product liability lawyer may help you file a lawsuit against the manufacturer.
Determining Liability When Faulty Vehicle Parts Cause a Truck Accident
Trucking companies have a legal obligation to perform regular inspections for damaged and defective parts. When a faulty vehicle part causes a trucking accident due to a lack of or poor truck maintenance, the distribution company or contracted maintenance employees could be held responsible for any resulting damages. If the defect is not due to improper maintenance and is instead due to manufacturing error, then the vehicle or part manufacturing may be liable for any damages.
A qualified trucking accident attorney can help determine who may be responsible for the trucking accident by conducting a thorough investigation. Sometimes it may not be immediately apparent if a faulty part was to blame. which is why a detailed truck accident investigation is needed. If it appears that the accident was caused by a defective part, a product liability lawyer may step in and consult with a mechanical engineer and similar experts to determine what caused the defect.
What Defective Parts Can Cause Truck Accidents?
When a commercial motor vehicle breaks down or malfunctions on the road, it poses a great risk of harm to everyone in and around it. Truck crashes, including 18-wheeler collisions and semi-truck accidents, could be caused by the failure of the following vehicle parts:
- Engine or transmission failure
- Brake failure
- Blown or improperly installed tires
- Steering column failure
- Suspension failure
- Defective or insufficient lighting
- Trailer hitch failure
How Do Defective Parts Cause Truck Accidents?
Brake failure, one of the most common defective parts that cause truck accidents, can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, posing a significant risk of severe injury to other, nearby drivers. Recently Volvo recalled 17,500 commercial trucks due to a defect in the brake plate which could cause brake failure. Drivers should monitor their brake status and watch for signs of defects.
Tire problems, another common cause of trucking collisions, may also cause the driver to lose control of their truck and trailer. Commercial trucks should routinely undergo tire inspections to minimize the risk of a defective tire leading to an accident.
Talk to an Attorney
If you were injured in a trucking accident, contact the truck accident lawyers of Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. for a thorough investigation into what may have caused the collision that led to your injuries and who should be held liable for the resulting damages. Our truck accident injury lawyers are committed to advocating on your behalf and fighting for the maximum potential compensation available in your case. Contact the Houston trucking accident lawyers of Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. today for a free legal consultation.
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