Truck Accidents Caused by Improper Vehicle Maintenance

The size and weight of semi-trucks and other large trucks leads them to cause more extensive and serious damages when accidents occur. Despite the countless regulations in place to prevent serious accidents, they still happen. Some of those truck accidents are caused by improper vehicle maintenance. Worn tires and brakes can lead to serious and even deadly injuries for both the trucker and any other drivers on the road. At Chanfrau & Chanfrau in Daytona Beach, FL, our attorneys can help you file a suit against the responsible parties if you were a victim in a truck accident.

Truck Accidents and Improper Vehicle Maintenance

State and federal regulations require regular inspection and maintenance on all parts of semis and other large commercial trucks, including the cabs and trailers, brakes, and tires to ensure they are in proper working order. When these regular inspections do not occur, problems may go unnoticed. Issues that would be less serious on passenger vehicles can have disastrous consequences if not addressed on a semi.

Who Is Responsible for Maintenance?

Truck drivers have the responsibility to report any issues or problems to the trucking company that owns the truck. The trucking company is then responsible for ensuring maintenance and regular inspections are completed in accordance with regulations. In some cases, truck drivers own their own trucks, so it is their own responsibility to keep up with maintenance and inspections.

Liability

If you are injured in an accident that resulted from improper truck maintenance, the truck owner (either a company or the driver) is usually liable for injuries and other damages. In some cases, a truck driver may also sue the company for damages if he or she is also injured in the accident.

It is also possible that the mechanic who inspected or performed maintenance on the vehicle is at fault. They may have overlooked something that should have been addressed to avoid an accident.

Filing a Claim

It is important that you work with an experienced attorney if you are involved in a truck accident. Because these accidents have the potential to involve multiple at-fault parties, they are often more complex than other types of motor vehicle accidents. Additionally, there are numerous rules and regulations involved, both at the state and federal level. You need an attorney with a thorough understanding of the regulations that affect your case.

At Chanfrau & Chanfrau, our attorneys have studied federal and Florida trucking regulations. We know how often semis must be inspected and how frequently maintenance must be performed. As a result, we can better determine which party is responsible and hold them liable for your injuries.

Schedule a Consultation Today

We offer free consultations for truck accident victims, so contact us today to get started. We will thoroughly review your case and help you determine the next steps to take. We will also begin gathering evidence against the at-fault parties so we can ensure you receive maximum compensation.