Failure to Maintain
Did Trucking Company Negligence Cause Your Crash?
Large trucks are an important part of Arizona’s economy, transporting vital goods throughout the state. As such, they travel alongside much smaller vehicles every day. In order to do this safely, there are many standard procedures a truck driver and a trucking company have to follow.
One of those is making sure the semi-truck is kept in good condition. When a driver or trucking company fails to do regular maintenance on a truck, they can be held responsible for any injuries that result from an accident caused by the faulty truck.
If you were injured in an accident due to a poorly maintained truck, speak to the experienced personal injury team at The Husband & Wife Law Team. Fighting big trucking companies can be extremely difficult, but our Phoenix truck accident lawyers know what to do. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.
Laws on Maintaining Trucks
Federal law states that all commercial trucks must be properly maintained to prevent accidents. The Compliance, Safety, Accountability program run by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is a scoring system intended to keep poorly maintained trucks off the road. Unfortunately, there is little enforcement, so improperly maintained trucks are often on the roads.
Truck drivers also have to cross state lines, and different states have their own laws regarding the maintenance of trucks. It’s the trucker’s job to be in compliance with every state that he enters, and the trucking company’s job to make sure of this as well. The Arizona Department of Administration – General Services Division has a whole section on fleet management for large trucks. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is responsible for enforcing both federal and state rules for these big commercial vehicles.
Common Problems with Poorly Maintained Trucks
When there are problems with any part of an 80,000-pound truck, it can easily cause an accident.
Brake failure may be the most deadly defect found on improperly maintained trucks. The truck may not be able to stop, which can cause a rear-end collision with another vehicle, a T-bone accident, or a head-on collision. When parking brakes are not properly maintained, a parked truck may roll, injuring other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians in the area.
Tire blowouts are even more common than truck brake failure. When tires are older or damaged, they should be replaced by the truck driver or company. A blowout can be especially devastating when the truck is traveling at high speeds on highways, and on any route with heavy traffic. Blowouts can cause a truck to rollover, jackknife, and swing into other lanes, crushing passenger vehicles.
When tie rods and axles become loose, they can cause a wheel to fall off. When this happens while a truck is moving, the driver can lose control, and it can be catastrophic for the driver and those around him.
Burnt-out or missing headlights, taillights, brake lights, or trailer lights keep a truck driver from being able to see properly, particularly at night. The trucker may have no way to alert other motorists that he is turning, reversing, or braking. Poorly maintained lights also make it difficult for other drivers to see the truck coming, and make an accident much more likely.
Statute of Limitations on Poorly Maintained Truck Accidents
When a poorly maintained truck causes serious injuries, the truck driver or the trucking company can be held responsible for providing compensation to accident victims. In order to claim that compensation, victims have to file a civil claim within two years from the date of the accident. Claims filed after two years will likely be thrown out of court.
Get the Legal Help You Need Today
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Phoenix, contact The Husband & Wife Law Team today. There is no time to waste, and the sooner you file, the sooner we can get to work getting you the compensation you are entitled to.