Truck Accidents: Maintenance Issues
Serving West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Lake Worth and the Port St. Lucie area
Semi-trucks travel thousands and thousands of miles each year. Considering the amount of time these drivers spend on the road, the wear and tear on these vehicles is significant and can jeopardize a truck’s safety. From mechanical failures to defective products, there are a number of factors that can contribute to a serious truck accident.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, and you believe improper maintenance is to blame, consult a Florida truck accident attorney to assess your case.
Truck driver responsibility
The most effective way to prevent such a serious accident is for truck drivers to routinely inspect their vehicles and maintain appropriate truck maintenance.
Truck drivers must review the post-trip inspection report complied by the driver before them. If that report names necessary repairs, that driver is obligated to make those repairs before embarking on his or her trip. To prove that the repairs have been made, the driver must also obtain certification from the trucking company that the things which needed fixing were indeed fixed.
A typically driver inspection includes:
- Tires
- Steering mechanism
- Windshield wipers
- Rear vision mirrors
- Coupling devices
- Lighting devices and reflectors
- Service brakes including trailer brake connections
- Parking brake
- Horn
- Rims and wheels
- Emergency equipment
Improper truck maintenance
Given the serious risks to drivers on roadways across the United States, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes rigorous truck maintenance guidelines on both trucking companies and their drivers.
After each stop, a semi-truck driver should make a quick inspection of the mechanics of their vehicle. A simple walk-around inspection of their rig could catch a catch a small problem such as defective lights that could lead to a deadly tractor trailer crash. However, in an effort to save time and money, drivers often overlook this step.
Determining the cause of the accident
To collect compensation, you must find out who was at fault for the accident. There are various factors that may be responsible for a truck accident, such as:
- Improper truck maintenance
- Reckless driving
- Driver fatigue
- Unrealistic schedules
- Overloaded trucks
A trucking company is responsible for hiring qualified, professional drivers to haul freight. One of their most important duties is to ensure that their truck drivers follow all safety regulations and fix any problem they encounter.
A trucking company may also hire a third party to maintain and repair its trucks. These businesses may be held liable for a truck accident if improper maintenance led to a crash. Your safety should not be in jeopardy because of a truck driver or third party’s careless inspection of a truck.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck collision and you live in West Palm Beach, Florida or the surrounding area, please contact the office of Florida truck accident attorney Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. to schedule a free consultation. We can assess your case and help you move forward with your claim.
OFFICE LOCATION: 2090 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. Suite 402
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
1-800-GOLD-LAW
Call Toll Free 1-800-GOLD-LAW (465-3529)
Your understanding of the information on this web page about personal injury law does not constitute a formal legal relationship with the lawyers at Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. Please do not assume this content to be formal legal advise. If you would like to know if you have a valid personal injury claim, please contact a in Palm Beach County truck accidents attorney today for a complimentary consultation serving West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County and Port St. Lucie, Florida.
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