Equipment Failures Common Cause of Semitruck Accidents

• March 15, 2023
• Trucking Accidents

Routine maintenance and repairs on large commercial trucks need to be done to ensure the safety of the trucker and other motorists on the road. Defective equipment, such as faulty brakes, worn tires, steering issues and more, can lead to an accident. When a truck experiences equipment failures, due to its size and weight, it can result in serious, life-threatening injuries.

Truck drivers are subject to frequent inspections of their trucks to ensure they are fit for the road; if determined to be unsafe, they are required to undergo repairs before returning to the road.

If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident caused by poor maintenance or other equipment failures, contact Nash & Franciskato for a free, no-obligation review of your case.

START YOUR FREE CASE EVALUATION

Common Equipment Failures on Large Commercial Trucks

Equipment failures range from improper maintenance to systems failures, defects in tires and more. Some common examples include:

• Tire maintenance. Worn tires can result from not being properly rotated, aired to the right level or changed. This can lead to a tire blowout causing a truck to lose control and crash. Tire debris from a blowout can strike other vehicles leading to accidents, too.
• Faulty brake systems include worn or damaged brake pads, brake lines, brake fluid, and more. Regular maintenance checks should also include the air brake systems and parking brakes. A faulty brake system may fail to stop an 80,000 lb. semitruck.
• Malfunctioning headlights, tail lights, turn signals and reflectors affect a semitrucks’ visibility to other motorists, making it almost invisible in the dark or inclement weather. Broken turn signals can mean lane changes not seen by other motorists and a turn can have serious consequences if other motorists cannot see a truck’s movements.
• Steering failure means the truck cannot be controlled or maneuvered.

Truck parts that need to be properly maintained and inspected include, but aren’t limited to:

• Hydraulic brakes
• Air brakes
• Parking brake
• Tires
• Trailer brake connections
• Lighting devices and reflectors
• Steering mechanism
• Windshield wipers
• Mirrors
• Coupling devices

Equipment failure can also include manufacturing mistakes or design errors.

FMCSA Inspections, Repairs & Maintenance

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees many aspects of driving, maintaining and repairing large commercial vehicles.

396.3 of the Code of Federal Regulations

• 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.
• Parts and accessories must be in safe and proper condition at all times.

Drivers are required to complete a daily written post-trip inspection report at the end of each driving day. In addition:

• The inspection report must identify the vehicle and list any defects or deficiencies discovered by or reported to the driver, which could affect the safety of operation of the vehicle or result in a mechanical breakdown.
• The motor carrier or its agency must certify that any listed defect or deficiency has been repaired or that immediate repair is unnecessary.
• Prior to requiring or permitting a driver to operate a vehicle, every motor carrier or its agency shall repair any defect of deficiency listed on the driver vehicle inspection report which would be likely to affect the safe operation of the vehicle.

Need Legal Assistance?

Injuries you could sustain from an accident with a large commercial vehicle include:

• Broken bones and/or fractures
• Neck injuries including whiplash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Back injuries
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Amputation
• Burns

Getting into an accident with a large commercial truck can result in life-threatening injuries. Reasons for truck accidents range from human/operator error to equipment failures, defective equipment, poor driving behaviors and more. If equipment failures and/or poor maintenance contributed to your accident, the attorneys at Nash & Franciskato will help prove that by investigating the truck’s maintenance records, pre-trip inspection logs and more.

RECEIVE A FREE EVALUATION FROM EXPERIENCED TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS

Truck accidents due to routine maintenance and repair of equipment can be devastating, leaving you suffering from severe physical and emotional injuries. Nash & Franciskato, a Kansas City based personal injury law firm, represents those injured in trucking accidents.

If you need to understand your legal options and the likelihood of obtaining compensation after an accident, contact our experienced trucking accident attorneys at (877) 284-6600. One of our experienced staff will speak with you personally and will provide you with a free, no-obligation review of your case.

START YOUR FREE CASE EVALUATION

RESOURCES FOR YOU

Would you like to receive news and blog updates on a regular basis? Sign up to receive our email newsletter. Your email address will only be used to send you our newsletter and respond to inquiries.

• Find related blog articles: Trucking Accidents
• FMCSA Regulations

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER

Past results afford no guarantee of future results and each case is different and is judged on its own merits. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements.