The size and weight of semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles put immense stress on the thousands of parts that keep trucks functioning properly. That’s why state and federal regulators have strict maintenance rules for commercial trucks.
Unfortunately, many truck drivers or trucking companies neglect proper maintenance, and proving trucking company maintenance failures requires compelling evidence.
What Qualifies as Maintenance Negligence in a Truck Accident Case
Some examples of careless behavior that justify maintenance negligence truck accident claims include:
- Skipping annual inspections – Federal law requires trucking companies to have their fleet vehicles inspected every twelve months. These inspections frequently reveal worn or damaged parts, but trucking companies may overlook or deliberately avoid them to save time and money.
- Not performing routine fleet maintenance – Another federal law requires trucking companies to “systematically inspect, repair, and maintain” all vehicles they “control.” However, companies sometimes skip these maintenance checks (deliberately or accidentally), which may mean they don’t notice or repair broken parts. This type of negligence is the basis of many poor fleet maintenance claims.
- Truck drivers not performing mandatory vehicle inspections – Federal regulations require truck drivers to inspect their vehicles before and after each trip and at additional intervals during the trip. Drivers must also submit prompt reports if they notice any issues. Unfortunately, truckers sometimes skip these inspections because they’re in a hurry or face pressure from their employers.
- Cutting corners when making repairs – Many truck accidents occur when people or businesses fail to identify necessary repairs, reuse worn components instead of new equipment, or fail to fix defective truck parts. Liability in these cases can fall on individual repair crews, the trucking company, or other responsible parties.
If you suspect poor truck maintenance contributed to your accident, an experienced attorney from our law firm can help prepare a personal injury claim and collect evidence to prove liability, potentially against multiple parties.
Using Inspection Records and Repair Logs as Critical Evidence
Two of the best sources of evidence in negligent truck repair lawsuits are inspection records and repair logs. If the records and logs are accurate, they can show when the trucking company, truck driver, or maintenance crew performed their work, whether they met required deadlines, and whether the work was adequate given the truck’s problems. Alternatively, if the documents appear to be falsified, that indicates that the company knowingly broke the law and made a collision more likely. Trucking companies often move quickly to delete or hide these records, but a lawyer can demand they preserve improper vehicle inspection evidence for later use in a lawsuit.
How Trucking Company Maintenance Failures Affect Liability in a Truck Accident
Trucking companies are typically responsible for vehicle maintenance. Accordingly, failing to perform adequate repairs or conduct proper inspections could make the company liable for a crash. This distinction matters because trucking companies usually have much larger insurance policies than individual drivers, making it easier to recover compensation that fairly compensates truck accident victims for their losses.
Why a Truck Accident Lawyer Matters in Negligent Truck Maintenance Lawsuits
It’s practically impossible to win a lawsuit against a negligent trucking company without help from a Virginia truck accident attorney. These cases involve complex maintenance and safety regulations, and knowing the rules promulgated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is vital for building a robust case and proving negligence. Furthermore, truck accident lawyers know what evidence to look for and how to find it, which keeps the case moving smoothly.
Finally, you don’t want or need the hassle of a major legal battle when you’re healing from serious injuries after an accident. Your attorney can handle the legal work while you concentrate on rebuilding your life.
Ready to speak to a lawyer about your truck accident case? Call The Kendall Law Firm today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
