The consequences of a truck accident are major, to say the least. What causes these accidents is varied, but there are certain factors that play an undeniable role. One of these is always going to be when a truck is subject to improper maintenance. This guide explains all the reasons why this is true, and the consequences that could come as a result.
What Maintenance Should Trucks Have?
It is a legal requirement that all trucks have a routine maintenance scheduled included pre-trip inspections. The reasons behind this are simple. Firstly, to ensure that there are no obvious issues with the vehicle that would make it dangerous to drive and for other road users in the environment. Secondly, it is to reinforce safety as the number one consideration. Thirdly, to ensure that the reputation of the company is kept intact and there are no accidents associated with the brand. Lastly, it is to make sure that the truck is capable of fulfilling its obligations and that a job can be done properly and legally. All trucks need to be DOT compliant, and if they are found to be otherwise post-accident, there is a whole world of risk and consequences that comes along for the ride.
What Are the After-Effects of Improper Maintenance?
So, what happens when these duties are neglected, and maintenance schedules fall short? Unfortunately, there are a range of impactful consequences that could come about if these circumstances play out.
Loss of Control
Every driver is obligated to ensure their vehicle is safe. This is to guarantee that everything that can be controlled, absolutely is. A steering malfunction is the biggest reason here that leads to losing control of the vehicle, and if it happens there is no telling what could come about in the aftermath. When the steering is faulty, it is impossible to keep the truck on the road and where it should be. This may lead to it over-turning, crashing into pedestrians or other vehicles, and even rolling on a busy road.
Tire Failure
It is no secret at all that a tire blowout is a serious thing indeed. When it happens to a truck, a vehicle that is significantly bigger in size and weight than most other cars on the road, the aftermath is astronomical. A sudden tire fault means the truck will crash, the driver won’t be able to operate the vehicle safely in any way, and it may even roll as well.
Trailer Separation
Trucks are typically made with a trailer attached to the back. This has to be properly secured and kept safe throughout the whole journey while the driver is operating the vehicle. If, at any point, there is a fault with this setup, the trailer can become separated. You can only imagine what happens next. A wild trailer snaking about on a busy interstate can’t be stopped until it hits something big enough to stop it or it runs out of momentum. If it comes free at a high speed, it will hit everything in its path until it stops.
Underride Impact
When a car slides underneath a truck, it is known as an underride incident. This is more likely to happen if a commercial vehicle has a broken taillight or any other fault that makes it less visible to other vehicles out and about.
Brake Failure
The brakes are an essential part of a vehicle. The sheer size of trucks means the brakes have to be completely functional at all times. It is difficult enough to bring the vehicle to a complete stop in good condition. If there is adverse weather or a sudden change in driving conditions like an accident up ahead or a traffic jam, stopping quickly is another leading cause of accidents. Therefore, if faulty brakes are also playing a part, this is a formula for a devastating catastrophe.
What Happens Next?
This list of reasons is the primary cause behind improper maintenance accidents. If a truck is not held up to the correct standards, the victims are well within their rights to seek out compensation. When the truth is discovered, and the evidence pours in, there is no telling where the claims will end. Trucks, when caught in a collision or the main cause of one, will hurt a lot of people and create a wide range of consequences and this fact cannot be avoided.
Filing Your Claim
Our team can help you get the compensation that you deserve. Moving on with life post-accident is difficult, but even more so when it was because someone did not uphold their obligation to safety. This duty of care is true of all drivers, but it’s especially important when in charge of a large vehicle that could create a serious impact out there on the roads. Talk to us about how best to proceed with filing action and read the following advice to make things run more smoothly.
Know What’s Going to Happen
You will face a challenge when seeking compensation from any trucker company. These organizations are big, well-equipped, and have a reputation to keep intact. Therefore, they won’t want any major claims brought against them and will work hard to ensure that they are not found to be at fault. However, once an investigation has started, it can’t be stopped until the truth is found. Prepare yourself mentally for the days ahead.
Get Your Evidence Lined Up
If you feel comfortable sharing your medical journey, this will be useful. While you are not obligated to hand over personal medical details, it will be more difficult to show that you were adversely affected because of the accident. Improper maintenance incidents are serious things, and the victims face severe injuries like head trauma, loss of limb, and catastrophic bone breakages. Representing the facts is all you need to do.
Calculate Your Figure
Whether you have a sum in mind or not, it is easy enough to calculate. Figure out the costs you have incurred post-accident and add in things like lost wages, mental health implications, and any other grievances that play a part.
Find our main office in California and visit Karns & Karns Truck Accident Attorneys now. You can also find us in Texas and Nevada.
