Improper Truck Maintenance and Trucking Accidents
Semi-trucks travel tens of thousands of miles every year. With the amount of time trucks spend on the road, things naturally go wrong. Simple wear and tear on a vehicle can compromise a truck's safety. Mechanical failures and defective products greatly increase the likelihood that a truck will injure you in an accident.
Given the serious risks to you and your family, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes stringent truck maintenance guidelines on truck drivers and trucking companies. If you were injured due to a failure to properly maintain a truck, contact attorney Joseph Klest for a free initial consultation. Located in Chicago, Illinois, our firm represents people injured in truck accidents in Illinois or nationwide.
Types of Truck Maintenance Issues
Many things can go wrong with a truck that puts on as many miles as do commercial vehicles. This is why it is so important to inspect a truck before each trip and after each stop. Depending on who owns the truck it can be the duty of both the trucking company and the truck driver to ensure a truck is maintained properly.
Under federal law, truck drivers and their employers need to make sure trucks are operating properly. A violation of truck inspection requirements can lead to serious injuries. Lawyer Joseph Klest has represented people injured in accidents caused by the negligent maintenance of truck features:
- Lights and reflectors
- Truck brakes, parking brakes, and brake couplings
- Steering mechanism problems
- Tire blowouts and tire tread issues
- Windshield wipers and defrosters
- Truck coupling devices
- Mirrors
- Inadequate rear or side underride protection
Trucking companies may also employ a third party to maintain and repair their trucks. These businesses may also be liable for injuries caused by improper maintenance. You must name them as defendants to hold them responsible.
To learn more about holding parties liable because of improper truck maintenance, contact injury lawyer Joseph Klest for a free initial consultation.
