Commercial trucks are the workhorses of commerce, traveling hundreds of thousands of miles annually, carrying heavy loads in dangerous weather conditions. This constant presence on the highway puts them near passenger vehicles, and due to this proximity, there is a risk of a catastrophic collision. While the most well-known cause of a truck accident is driver error, a substantial number of trucking accidents are caused by improper truck maintenance practices, often due to trucking companies cutting corners instead of investing in legally required safety protocols and equipment, such as tires.
Understanding how maintenance failures contribute to accidents and ultimately determining who bears responsibility is crucial for accident victims who sustain injuries due to negligence that may not be immediately apparent.
The Hidden Danger of Poor Truck Maintenance and Equipment
When trucking maintenance inspection schedules are breached or ignored by trucking companies, this puts everyone sharing the road at risk. According to a 2023 National Safety Council Report (NSC), the majority of deaths in large-truck collisions are occupants of other vehicles (70%), followed by truck occupants (18%) and non-occupants, primarily pedestrians and bicyclists (12%). Another staggering statistic is that the number of deaths in large-truck accidents has increased by 40% in ten years (from 2013 to 2023).
Trucking companies are federally mandated to maintain their vehicles in a safe operating condition. Despite these requirements, maintenance-related accidents continue to occur with alarming frequency. Here are the five most common truck maintenance breaches that cause accidents to occur:
- Brake System Failures – Worn brake pads, damaged brake lines, or faulty air brake systems can prevent trucks from stopping safely and securely. Brake failures often result in rear-end collisions, jackknife accidents, or incidents involving runaway trucks.
- Tire Blowouts and Defects – Tire blowouts frequently lead to loss of vehicle control, rollovers, or debris striking other vehicles. Worn treads, improper inflation, or damaged sidewalls can cause sudden tire failures.
- Lighting and Electrical System Problems – Electrical failures can turn off critical safety systems or cause unexpected vehicle behavior. Malfunctioning headlights, taillights, or turn signals reduce visibility and communication with other drivers.
- Steering and Suspension Issues – A worn steering mechanism or a damaged suspension can affect the control and stability of a vehicle. These maintenance failures can cause trucks to become difficult to maneuver or to drift into other lanes of traffic, becoming a dangerous hazard.
- Engine and Transmission Problems – An overheated engine or a failing transmission can cause unexpected breakdowns on the road, setting up a dangerous scenario that can lead to an accident. Sudden loss of power or acceleration can create hazardous situations for surrounding vehicles.
Compelling trucking companies to maintain their vehicles prevents accidents and keeps our busy roadways safer than if there were no regulations. This factor makes poor truck maintenance negligence so dangerous because it harms everyone.
These same companies risk liability when preventable mechanical failures contribute to accidents. It’s essential to understand what liability is and who is liable in trucking maintenance accidents.
Who is liable in Truck Maintenance Accidents
- Truck Maintenance Liability: Trucking companies are held legally responsible for any accidents that occur due to failing to provide proper maintenance on their vehicles. The law compels them to ensure their trucks meet all federal safety requirements, and common sense ensuring they are safe to drive on public roads.
- Trucking Company Liability represents the broader legal responsibility companies face for accidents involving their vehicles, including liability for maintenance failures, driver actions, cargo securement, and compliance with federal regulations. Companies cannot simply blame drivers or mechanical issues—they bear ultimate responsibility for ensuring safe operations.
- Shared Liability occurs when multiple parties contribute to an accident. Liability in truck maintenance cases may be shared among the trucking company, the maintenance contractors, the parts manufacturers, and the drivers, who all bear responsibility for failing to report safety issues and correct problems.
Why Trucking Companies Should Never Fall Short on Maintenance
Responsible trucking companies know that rigorous maintenance practices are suitable for their bottom line. Safety matters.
- Paper trails: In the event of an accident, your lawyer can get access to maintenance records that demonstrate compliance and a commitment to safety, or the lack thereof.
- Safety practices work: Regular inspections are essential to prevent disasters waiting to happen on the highways.
When someone files a maintenance negligence claim against the company, those maintenance logs work to prove the case. - Prevention: Regular maintenance prevents the kind of mechanical breakdowns that can cause accidents and injuries.
Courts are strict about maintenance negligence and will hold trucking companies liable for accidents that proper upkeep could have prevented. Regulations and compliance officers are ultimately there to prevent accidents.
Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys understand the challenges.
If you or a family member suffered injuries in a truck accident caused by truck maintenance failures, here are four key factors to keep in mind:
- Evidence Preservation: This crucial evidence includes truck maintenance records, inspection reports, and mechanical evidence that can disappear quickly after accidents, so preservation is key before it’s lost or destroyed.
- Federal Regulation Compliance: Trucking companies are required to adhere to specific federal maintenance regulations. Evidence of violations strengthen liability claims and support a compensation claim.
- Multiple Liability Sources: Truck accidents frequently involve multiple liable parties. Legal teams like ours that specialize in truck maintenance issues investigate all potential sources of compensation, including trucking companies, maintenance contractors, and parts manufacturers.
- Time Limitations: Every state has different rules about how long you have to file a claim after a truck accident. Some states offer just one year, while others have longer timelines. Experienced lawyers understand this factor.
Because trucking accident cases are complex by nature, they should be handled by lawyers who have proven success in understanding all facets, including federal regulations, industry standards, and insurance issues related to trucking maintenance cases.
The path to recovery after a significant truck accident is difficult enough without having to navigate complex legal issues on your own. You will want seasoned truck accident lawyers on your side to handle the legal details, so you can focus on rebuilding your life.
The Fitzgerald Law Firm brings forty years of dedicated experience to trucking company liability cases, helping accident victims who were harmed by truck maintenance, equipment, and training failures. Our personal injury attorneys are committed to helping you get the support you deserve, and our results speak for themself: The Firm holds the record for the largest verdicts ever upheld on appeal in Wyoming for injuries and wrongful death. The firm’s track record includes record-setting results for clients, including maximum compensation awards.
Contact Fitzgerald Law Firm for a free case evaluation if you were injured or a family member was killed in a trucking accident.