It is no major secret that poor vehicle maintenance leads to accidents and malfunctions. So, what happens when a major commercial truck is improperly looked after or even neglected? Well, the consequences are sadly even more severe. The impact of such an event can lead to loss of life for both the driver and the other drivers involved in the crash, and significant injuries if not. The impact is major, but what exactly plays a role?
Tire Problems
Tires are an essential part of any truck. If they are within the legal limit, well inflated, and new enough, then there should be limited problems. While there are always circumstances that lead to a random blowout like sharp debris on a route, these are all natural unexpected events that can’t necessarily be avoided.
The problems start when tires are neglected. For a tire to blow out, it takes a lot. The tread has to be worn, the air pressure will be all wrong, and the tire itself will be far too old to warrant safe driving in any way whatsoever. Should this be the case, sadly there will be an accident.
Even if the tire doesn’t break, it will make it incredibly difficult to stay safe while driving and things like maneuvering or operating the truck in heavy rain, ice, or even snow are simply too risky. The vehicle might come off the road, fail to stop, swerve, or roll.
Brake Failure
Brakes also play a major role in how safe a truck driver can be while in charge of these big vehicles. If there has been a lack of maintenance, or a noted fault that has yet to be corrected, the consequences will be extremely severe.
If the brakes don’t work, the vehicle does not stand a chance of stopping properly or safely. This means, at any given moment, the worst could happen, and a truck could crash into other cars and vehicles on their route.
To be hit by such a weight is hard to recover from. It is likely that smaller cars will be completely wrecked, and that there will be big medical injuries to contend with too.
The Biggest Cause of Accidents
Faulty brakes are the most common cause of truck-related road incidents. This is simply because it requires much more power and focus to bring these vehicles to a halt. The conditions have to be ideal, and there must be enough time and room to complete the maneuver within a reasonable scope. If any random thing dictates that there is not enough time, or the surface of the road is not typical, then a brake failure will be even more devastating.
Inefficient Lighting
Headlamps and turn signals are crucial components of a truck. They make the vehicle visible and help the driver to operate safely as well. If something is broken, but the journey goes ahead regardless, the risks are simply too big.
A truck driver may signal to turn, but no one will be able to tell because the light never comes on. They turn anyway to merge or switch over and people around them are forced to brake or even swerve to get out of the way. You may wonder, how can something so big not be visible? But it does happen. Underride incidents happen more frequently than you may realize, and they are often fatal and happen primarily because of broken taillights.
Engine Problems
Trucks are often tasked with carrying heavy loads, long journeys, and all sorts of road conditions. This means their engines have a big job. They must function properly throughout all of this and stand the test of time. If something goes wrong, and there is a fault, then the whole operation is at risk. This is why regulations around maintenance exist so that companies can fulfill their duty of care and ensure every single vehicle sent out on a job is up to the required standard for safe operation.
Dealing with the Aftermath
If you find yourself the victim of a truck related incident, don’t lose hope. Whether you are a driver feeling let down by a company and facing life without a job and a serious injury, or a road user who has been hit by a commercial vehicle, Karns & Karns Truck Accident Attorneys. When you really stop and think about the size and weight of these machines, it is all too easy to understand exactly why improper maintenance is so dangerous. It can lead to a whole manner of accidents and injuries that, in other circumstances, would have been completely avoidable.
Don’t Delay
Stating your case for compensation is crucial. It is the only viable way to deal with the aftermath of the devastating consequences of improper truck maintenance. Every fleet owner has an obligation to ensure their vehicles are well looked after, and if this did not happen, it will be all too easy to prove. Representing the facts is what we do. Delaying your claim will make it more difficult to heal and recover on the long road ahead.
Sort Out the Admin
There will be certain things you need to bring to the table in order to proceed with a claim. You should be able to show exactly all the ways your life has been impacted as a direct result of the incident in question. If you have any suspicions that the truck was not well looked after, say why and have something to back it up. It could be photos from the scene, video footage, witness statements, and an opinion from the officer who attended the scene of the accident. These are all valuable pieces of evidence and can be used to find justice.
Being involved in a truck collision is the most common reason for the loss of life out there in the world of driving. While it doesn’t always lead to this, the alternative injuries are often devastating to contend with in life after the event takes place. Our team is here to help.
Come on down to Karns & Karns Truck Accident Attorneys office today in LA, or find us in Texas, California, and Nevada too.
