Even if you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, you might have no idea what caused the crash. Most semi-truck accident victims don’t know right away. The truck driver may have been speeding or failed to abide by a traffic sign. But, in many truck accident cases, the crash was caused by something the other driver couldn’t see, like a vehicle system failure.
When equipment fails on large commercial vehicle and an accident results, it adds another layer of complexity to your claim for fair compensation. You should work with an experienced truck accident lawyer, who capable of investigating the underlying cause.
At Kemmy Law Firm, we have decades of experience litigating semi-truck accident cases. We will oversee a thorough investigation of the crash, including hiring the appropriate accident reconstruction and trucking experts. We will get to the bottom of what happened so you can prove the trucking company or manufacturer owes you compensation.
To learn more about investigating truck equipment failures, call (830) 264-6297 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
5 Common Semi Truck Equipment Failures
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found loss of vehicle control due to speeding, cargo shift, system failure, poor road conditions, and other factors were responsible for 29% of truck accidents.
1. Tires
Semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles endure a lot of wear and tear. Tires take the brunt of it. Over time, tires wear thin, and truckers risk blowing a tire during a trip. Tires also are more likely to fail when over- or under-inflated, or the truck axles are misaligned. A sudden flat or blown tire impacts the driver’s ability to control the vehicle and could contribute to a crash.
2. Brakes
Efficient and functional brakes are essential to any vehicle, but particularly one that can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. Due to corrosion, air leaks, internal water contamination, lack of maintenance, or shoddy repairs, brakes could fail. Brake failure during a haul could lead a trucker to lose control of the vehicle entirely.
3. Electrical Systems
Semi-trucks are high-tech vehicles. Even a small electrical failure could lead to problems, including the inability to control and navigate the vehicle safely. Electrical systems include the starter, alternator, and battery. When one of these parts fails, no one can operate the truck. An electrical failure also could impact the truck’s lights.
4. Trailer Couplings
The trailer coupling equipment keeps the trailer attached to the cab and its lights, brakes, and other systems. If the coupling fails, the trucker could lose the trailer while on the road. The loss of the trailer on a highway could lead to a devastating crash.
5. Engines
It seems almost too obvious, but a semi-truck’s engine needs constant inspections and care. Engine failure during a haul could result in the trucker’s loss of control of the vehicle and an accident. A common issue is an engine overheating, which could lead to a blown gasket or other issues.
Uncovering Semi-Truck Equipment Failure
To find out if equipment failure as the underlying cause of the semi-truck accident, you’ll have to investigate. Our truck accident investigations include:
- Sending a Preservation of Evidence Letter to other the truck driver, trucking company, manufacturer, and other potentially relevant parties;
- Gathering the available evidence, including the crash report, photos, video footage, an inspection of the truck, and eye witness statements;
- Hiring an accident reconstructionist to create a model of the crash and determine fault; and
- Gathering information on the truck driver and trucking company’s history.
Once we’ve obtained all the information we can, we’ll file a personal injury lawsuit. This lets us benefit from the discovery process to learn more.
During discovery, we’ll demand answers and information from the trucker, trucking company, and truck manufacturer. We might find more information about the inspections, maintenance, and repairs to the truck and its part, which helps us understand if a piece of equipment failed and why.
Who Is Liable for a Semi-Truck Equipment Failure?
The business liable for a crash caused by an equipment failure depends on what part failed and why. Typically, the trucking company or the manufacturer will be responsible for compensating you. A manufacturer is liable if our investigation determines the part was defective. The trucking company is liable if we find negligent maintenance led to the equipment failure.
Call a Truck Accident Lawyer for Help
Trucking accidents often lead to serious and catastrophic injuries, and it’s imperative to recover the most compensation possible to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. At Kemmy Law Firm, our truck accident lawyers offer aggressive representation.
While you focus on your recovery, we focus on investigating the crash, identifying the liable party, and pursuing a fair recovery. To learn more about how we can help, contact us online or call (830) 264-6297.
We offer free consultations and no upfront fees. We only get paid when we recover compensation.
Kemmy Law Firm serves clients across Texas and New Mexico:
Truck Accident Lawyers in Odessa, Texas
101 N Jackson Ave
Odessa, Texas 79761
Truck Accident Lawyers in Hobbs, New Mexico
1601 N. Turner, Suite 417
Hobbs, NM 88240
Truck Accident Lawyers in San Antonio, Texas
1924 N Main Ave
San Antonio, Texas 78212
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