Importance of Truck Maintenance Records in Accident Claims
Truck accidents are quite common in the United States of America. According to the NSC, in 2022, more than 120,000 large trucks were involved in crashes resulting in injuries, and over 5,800 were involved in fatal accidents. In a state as busy as Florida, truck accidents are inevitable. Every year, there are thousands of truck accidents in the Sunshine State. Truck accident victims are often left struggling to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. Fortunately, truck accident victims may find relief by pursuing a personal injury claim against the negligent parties. But after you file a truck accident claim against a truck driver or a trucking company, you will need strong evidence to support your allegations. One of the critical pieces of evidence that can significantly impact the outcome of your truck accident case is the truck’s maintenance records. These records can offer valuable insight into the truck’s condition at the time of the accident and can help establish negligence, ensuring you recover the compensation you deserve.
What Are Truck Maintenance Records?
Truck maintenance records are detailed logs that provide a comprehensive account of the maintenance activities undertaken on a commercial truck. They document all inspections, repairs, and routine maintenance performed on a commercial truck. Truck maintenance records include information about, among other things, tire replacements, brake checks, oil changes, and engine tune-ups. Truck maintenance records can be compared to a person’s medical history since they show how well a truck has been cared for. They show issues a truck has experienced before and what was done to rectify those issues. Truck drivers and trucking companies are responsible for maintaining these records, which are meant to ensure trucks meet safety standards.
The Importance of Truck Maintenance Records in Accident Claims
In the event of a truck accident, the truck’s maintenance records can prove invaluable. These records can be used to determine whether the truck was properly maintained and if any issues with the vehicle caused the accident. If a truck’s maintenance records show that the vehicle had known issues, such as tire wear or brake problems, that weren’t addressed, this could be used as evidence of the truck driver’s or truck company’s negligence. Also, a lack of maintenance records can be used as evidence of negligence, which can help establish liability. The absence of maintenance records can suggest that the truck driver or trucking company failed to properly care for the vehicle. Lack of documentation can be used to prove that the driver or trucking company neglected their duty to maintain the truck.
Challenges in Accessing Truck Maintenance Records
Trucking companies will not simply hand over their maintenance records. You will likely need an attorney to get the trucking company to hand over its maintenance records. If necessary, an experienced personal injury attorney can issue a subpoena, compelling the trucking company to hand over its maintenance records. Without a legal representative, the trucking company might refuse to release its maintenance records. This might hinder your ability to establish liability and recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Our Tampa personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you obtain maintenance records and any other evidence that can help you establish liability in your truck accident case.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Ocala, Orlando, Naples, and Melbourne areas.
Source:
injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/large-trucks/