When Can Improperly Maintained Equipment Lead to Truck Accidents?

 Posted on June 12, 2023 in Personal Injury

Every year, thousands of people are killed or injured in truck accidents, and in many cases, commercial truck crashes are caused by improperly maintained equipment. These accidents can be devastating, leaving victims with life-altering injuries and significant financial burdens. If you have been involved in a truck accident, an experienced attorney can help you determine whether equipment failures occurred and whether the collision was caused by negligence on the part of the truck driver, their employer, or other parties.

Common Types of Equipment Failures That May Result in Truck Crashes

Semi-trailer trucks have multiple types of complex equipment that must be regularly inspected and maintained. Failure to perform maintenance when required may lead to the failure of important systems, and dangerous truck accidents may occur as a result. Some of the most common types of truck equipment that may break down and cause accidents include:

• Tires - Truck accidents may occur because of tire blowouts. This can happen when a truck's tires are not properly inflated, have worn treads, or have been damaged in some way. When a tire blows out while a truck is traveling at a high speed, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a serious accident.

• Brakes - Tractor-trailer trucks use air brakes to provide the proper pressure and ensure that a driver can slow down and stop when required. These braking systems are complex, and regular maintenance is required to ensure that all equipment is functioning correctly. If systems such as air hoses, brake shoes, and other components are not properly inspected, maintained, and replaced when needed, they can fail to engage correctly, or they may not provide sufficient pressure to ensure that a truck can slow down properly. This can lead to a truck driver being unable to maintain control over their speed and being unable to slow down or stop in time to avoid a collision.

• Trailers and couplings - Trailers attached to semi-trucks will also require regular maintenance. If a trailer's wheels are not properly aligned, the trailer may sway or jackknife, leading to a dangerous situation for other drivers on the road. If trailer couplings are not maintained correctly, they may malfunction, and a trailer may become detached during transit, causing it to collide with other vehicles or overturn and block the road.

• Lights and electrical systems - A truck's lights are a critical component of safe operation. They allow other drivers to see the truck and understand its movements. When lights do not function correctly, drivers may not realize that a truck is slowing down or changing lanes, and they may be unable to avoid collisions. Other electrical systems can also malfunction if they are not maintained correctly, and this may affect a driver's ability to maintain control of a truck.

• Engines - A lack of regular maintenance on the truck's engine and other essential components may lead to engine failure or other dangerous issues. An engine that does not function properly may affect a driver's control over their truck, potentially leading to truck accidents. In addition, an improperly maintained engine may overheat, causing a fire that could injure others who are involved in a collision.

To prevent accidents caused by equipment failure, trucking companies and drivers are required by law to follow strict inspection and maintenance schedules. When these schedules are ignored or disregarded, everyone on the road may be placed at risk. Following a truck accident, an experienced attorney can review maintenance records and determine whether equipment failures were to blame.

Contact Our Lombard Truck Accident Lawyers

If you have been involved in a truck accident, Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices can investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision, identify the liable parties, and help you take action to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. Contact our DuPage County commercial truck accident attorneys today at 630-932-9100 to arrange a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.noregon.com/common-truck-breakdowns-catch-early/

https://northdixietruck.com/brakes-wipers-complete-annual-inspection-list/

https://bstruckrepair.com/automotive/5-most-common-truck-failures-problems-on-road/