Common Types of Truck Defects and Malfunctions
Tire defects
Tire defects are responsible for many auto accidents and injuries every year throughout the U.S., and they can be especially dangerous when large 18-wheeler trucks are involved. These trucks have eighteen tires, each one of which is necessary for safe operation of a large truck. If even one of these tires is defective, then the potential for a truck accident increases significantly. Sadly, victims of truck accidents are often left with serious injuries and medical costs that they may not be able to afford.
In cases such as this, where you or someone you love has suffered undue harm as a result of a defective truck tire, it may be possible to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. Thus, if you or someone that you know has been hurt in an accident with a large truck because of a tire defect, contact an experienced New Braunfels tire defects lawyer at the Burch Law Firm today by calling at 830-629-0955 to discuss your legal options.
Some Regular Defects
Tire defects can take any number of forms, and even a minor issue can cause a big problem. Some of the most common tire defects involve:
- Explosions
- Tire blowouts
- Tread separation
- Sidewall bulging
- Vault stem faults
These defects can easily cause a truck driver to lose control of his or her vehicle and may lead to a serious truck accident, involving not just the driver, but anyone else on the road as well.
Truck Brake Malfunction
Any vehicle defect or malfunction can pose serious dangers for truck drivers and other drivers on the road. Brake malfunctions, while perhaps not the most predominant cause of truck accidents, account for many of these incidents every year in the U.S. When a large truck’s brakes malfunction or are in any way defective, any person who is near the truck when this occurs might be in danger of incurring serious injuries as a result of an accident. With these injuries often come hefty financial costs, like vehicle repair or medical treatment, which is something that many people find hard to afford. However, sometimes financial compensation is available for those who are injured in a truck accident because of brake malfunction.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident caused by a brake malfunction, you might be due financial compensation. Contact a qualified New Braunfels brake malfunction lawyer of the Burch Law Firm today at 830-629-0955 to discuss your legal position and options.
What Goes Wrong?
Brakes might malfunction in several ways, all of which are dangerous for a truck driver. For instance, some problems might involve:
- Loose or soft brakes
- Brake pad slips
- Rotor or shoe problems
- Electrical / mechanical malfunction
- Poor design / construction
Whatever causes a truck’s brake malfunction, if you are injured in an accident with a truck driver because of this situation, you might be eligible to receive financial compensation. Contact an experienced New Braunfels brake malfunction lawyer at the Burch Law Firm today at 830-629-0955 to see what your options are.
What are the Regulations Regarding Inspection of Trucks?
It is not uncommon for automobiles to require regular maintenance and repairs. With regards to commercial vehicles such as semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, these vehicles may require more frequent inspections and maintenance. Due to their lengthy and frequent trips, these commercial vehicles are required to undergo inspection to make sure it is safely operating. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in a malfunction, causing a serious truck accident.
What are the federal trucking regulations regarding inspection and maintenance? According to Section 392.7 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, trucks and their equipment are required to undergo regular inspection in order to be used as a commercial motor vehicle. Specifically, no commercial vehicle can be driven unless the driver of the vehicle is satisfied that the vehicle and all of its parts and accessories are in good working order. Furthermore, the driver should not fail to use any part or accessories when and if needed while in operation.
In addition, drivers that are preparing to transport intermodal equipment are required to make an inspection of the vehicle ensuring all of its components are in working order. Drivers who are operating a commercial vehicle on the road are deemed to have confirmed that all the components of the vehicle are is good working order.
The failure to inspect a commercial vehicle could be deemed negligent operation. Moreover, if an accident occurs, the truck driver could be liable due to negligent truck maintenance and inspection.
Following a truck accident, accident victims should initiate a detailed investigation in order to establish cause and whether the commercial vehicle was in good working order and properly inspected. This could help determine cause and assign liability, assisting them with a cause of action to recover damages.
Know How to Proceed When a Truck Defect Causes an Accident
When a large commercial truck makes its way to Texas’ roadways, it needs to be in good working condition. There are state and federal regulations that truck drivers and truck companies must follow to ensure that the truck is safe for travel within the state. These laws are in place to keep others safe from an accident.
Often, however, these regulations are ignored. Trucks are poorly maintained and companies do little to remedy the situation. Eventually, these dilapidated vehicles cause serious truck accidents. In many cases, a defective auto part is to blame. Auto part defects can include tire issues, such as vault stem faults, blowouts or sidewall bulging. These situations are extremely dangerous and can easily lead to a collision.
When smaller vehicles are involved in a truck accident, the victims can be left with serious injuries. These injuries can leave people struggling to regain their physical health as they deal with mounting medical bills, lost wages and other unexpected expenses.
A lawsuit can often help people recover from these accidents. With the help of a qualified attorney, people can hold negligent truck companies and truck drivers responsible for defective equipment. It is the truck company’s responsibility to make sure their vehicles are safe, and the attorneys at Burch Law Firm can hold them to it.
Our compassionate staff will ensure that all proper legal steps are taken to get truck accident victims the compensation they need following an accident. Whether it’s negotiating with an insurance company, investigating a truck company or suing a truck driver, our firm will handle the case with the utmost care.
Contact Us
There are numerous ways a car may malfunction. If a truck driver loses control of his vehicle due to malfunction like a brake malfunction, it is possible that this accident could have been prevented. You should not have to suffer alone in this situation.
If you or someone you care about has been involved in a truck accident due to a truck tire defect, contact the qualified New Braunfels truck accident attorneys of the Burch Law Firm today at 830-629-0955 to see how we can help you. Our legal team is devoted to defending the rights of those who have been wronged by negligent manufacturers, designers, and other parties.
