How To Prove Negligent Truck Maintenance Caused Your Accident
Every year, there are hundreds of thousands of accidents involving commercial trucks in the United States, with most of these accidents resulting in severe or even fatal injuries. Truck accidents happen for various reasons, with one of the most common causes of these accidents being negligent truck maintenance. When truck maintenance is overlooked, resulting in an accident, the victim may be able to hold the liable parties accountable under Florida law and recover compensation. This article discusses what you need to know about proving negligent truck maintenance after an accident.
Understanding Negligent Truck Maintenance
Commercial vehicles require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure safe operation. Negligent truck maintenance can lead to dangerous mechanical failures on the road, which can cause serious accidents. Negligent truck maintenance arises when a truck owner, operator, or maintenance company fails to inspect, repair, or service a truck as required by law or industry standards.
The following are some truck parts that can become dangerous without proper maintenance;
- Tires
- Brakes
- Steering mechanisms
- Lights or signals
- Engine
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires trucking companies to keep their vehicles in good condition. Drivers are also required to inspect the vehicles they operate and report or address any safety issues before getting on the road. Failure to comply can result in legal liability if an accident happens due to poor truck maintenance.
How Poor Truck Maintenance Can Cause Accidents
When a commercial vehicle is not properly maintained, mechanical issues can lead to serious crashes. For instance;
- Tire blowouts can occur due to bald or underinflated tires, leading to loss of control
- Defective brake systems or worn-out brake pads can cause brake failure, preventing the vehicle from stopping in time to avoid an accident
- Faulty lights can prevent other road users from seeing the truck at night
- Defective steering systems can make the driver struggle to keep the truck under control
You may have a strong personal injury claim if you were involved in a truck accident and can show that any of the above issues or another issue not mentioned here existed due to negligence.
How To Prove Negligent Truck Maintenance
Proving that negligent truck maintenance caused your accident requires strong evidence. An experienced Florida truck accident attorney can help gather and preserve the following evidence;
- Maintenance Records: These can expose skipped repairs or missed inspections.
- Inspection Reports: Missing or incomplete inspection reports can support your claim. These reports may also point to violations of safety standards.
- Driver Logs: These can show if a driver reported an issue that wasn’t addressed.
- Expert Testimony: A mechanical expert can assess the truck’s condition to determine maintenance failure.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
If negligent truck maintenance caused your accident, the following are the parties who may be legally liable for your injuries and damages;
- Maintenance Providers: For doing insufficient repairs or ignoring issues
- Truck Driver: For failing to report or address a maintenance issue
- Trucking Company: For not performing proper maintenance
Contact Us for Legal Help
Our Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm have the resources and experience to investigate commercial vehicle accidents, uncover evidence of negligent truck maintenance, and hold liable parties accountable. Contact us today via 844-200-0000 or online to schedule a consultation and discuss your case.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Myers, Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, West Palm Beach, Naples, and Melbourne areas.