How Inadequate Maintenance Can Lead to Truck Crashes

Thursday, May 20, 2021

How Inadequate Maintenance Can Lead to Truck Crashes

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Semi-trucks, big rigs, tractor-trailers; no matter what you call them, they can lead to deadly but preventable accidents. Sometimes these accidents are the result of inadequate maintenance and inspections. With a lawyer on your side, you can determine what caused your accident and who is liable for your injuries.

While today’s modern vehicles are much more reliable and technological than before, they still require maintenance and upkeep. This is especially true of larger vehicles like semi-trucks. These vehicles are driven thousands of miles each week, exposed to many weather elements and road conditions, and are subjected to extreme wear and tear. Semi-trucks weigh approximately 80,000 pounds and have complex parts and technical components. Proper inspections and maintenance for these vehicles are so crucial that the federal government mandates it. Suppose you or someone you love was recently injured in a crash with a semi-truck. In that case, it’s possible that inadequate maintenance contributed to the crash. You need a well-versed Chicago truck accident lawyer to help you receive compensation.

The Problem with Poor Truck Maintenance

Truck drivers and trucking companies often skip required inspections and maintenance to save time and expense. Doing so can make them more efficient; delivering loads quicker means making more money in less time. However, it puts many innocent lives at risk. 

Tractor-trailer accident investigations routinely uncover problems with truck maintenance, including:

1. Broken taillights
2. Lack of reflective tape
3. Failure to install blind spot mirrors
4. Tire blowouts
5. Shredded tires
6. Brake failure
7. Broken taillights
8. Defective couplings
9. Defective air brakes

Each of these problems or circumstances that led to the issue could be easily discovered and mitigated if adequate maintenance and inspections are performed. When you hire a Chicago truck accident attorney to represent your injury claim, they can investigate many factors, including if truck maintenance was performed under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) laws. 

A large truck crash causation study performed by FMCSA found that:

1. 27% of trucks had brake safety issues
2. Three percent experienced tire problems

Federal Regulations Address Truck Maintenance

The FMCSA has comprehensive regulations concerning truck inspections, maintenance, and repairs that trucking companies and their drivers must abide by. Trucking companies, truck drivers, and anyone else involved in inspecting or maintaining these large and potentially dangerous vehicles should be knowledgeable about and adhere to these federal rules. They are also required to:

1. “Systematically inspect, repair, and maintain or cause to be systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained” all vehicles in their control 
2. Refrain from operating a big rig if it’s in a state that is likely to cause an accident or a breakdown 
3. Mark any tractor-trailer with an “out of service” sticker if it’s in a state that might cause an accident or breakdown 
4. Perform a pre-trip inspection of the truck to ensure its safe condition and that its load is secure
5. Review the last truck inspection report and sign off verifying any necessary repairs were done
6. Complete an inspection of the semi-truck and prepare a written report that documents any defect or deficiency found

Hire a Reputable Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer from Malman Law

Trucking accidents can have many different causes. Speeding, driver error, fatigue, and negligence play a role in many crashes. However, poor truck maintenance and trucking equipment failure could also play a part in causing or contributing to these accidents. At Malman Law, we hold truck drivers and trucking companies liable for their actions.

At this time, you might be focused on grieving the loss of loved ones or recovering from severe injury. While these tasks are crucial, it’s also essential to hire a Chicago truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights. For a free consultation, call (312) 629-0099 or use our online contact form. You will pay attorney’s fees only if we are successful in obtaining compensation for you.