The commercial trucking industry is only as safe as the trucks themselves. Allowing an 18-wheeler to fall into a dangerous state of disrepair can lead to devastating truck accidents in Texas. Please make sure to contact a truck accident lawyer in San Antonio for legal guidance and support.
Although the federal government has laws in place for semi-truck maintenance, trucking companies often overlook items or skip pre-trip inspections to save time and money. This can increase the odds of large truck accidents.
Brakes
Brake failure is a significant crash risk in big rig trucking. When a large truck’s brakes give out, the truck can careen uncontrollably, resulting in serious truck accidents and multi-vehicle pileups. A truck driver may roll the vehicle over or jackknife the truck in an effort to regain control.
Regular brake inspections are key for preventing these accidents. The maintenance team needs to inspect the brake pads and linings for wear and tear, slack adjusters for even braking force, the brake chamber for cracks or air leaks, and air lines for leaks. If a trucking company overlooks any component during brake checks, the brakes may fail at a critical moment.
Tires and Wheels
The 18 wheels that are attached to a large truck are integral for safe drives. If even one tire has a maintenance issue, it could pop or explode and cause a tire blowout truck accident. Each individual tire and its wheel must be carefully inspected for issues such as:
- Worn-down or missing tread
- Bald spots
- Bulging or cracked sidewalls
- Uneven wear and tear
- Overinflated or underinflated tires
- Items lodged between tires
- Weak wheel fasteners
- Loose lug nuts
- Cracked rims
- Rusty, misshapen or weakened wheel areas
Failing to repair or replace a tire or wheel with problems could lead to a disaster where the truck loses one of its tires in transit. This can lead to a total loss of vehicle control for the truck driver.
Truck Cab
The interior or cab of a large truck is often overlooked during maintenance checks. It may be assumed that the inside of the cab cannot affect the drivability of the truck, but this is not the case. A messy, disorganized or cluttered cab can present a safety issue; an empty bottle could roll beneath the brake pedal, for instance, or high winds with the window down could turn clutter into projectiles. The interior of a truck should be kept neat and clean, with regular seat belt and airbag checks, as well.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident Caused By Inadequate Maintenance?
Motor carriers have a legal responsibility to properly inspect, maintain and repair their big rigs under Code of Federal Regulations § 396.3. This law states that all truck parts and accessories must be in safe and proper condition at all times. Violating this federal law is a tort, or wrongdoing, that could make the motor carrier liable for a related truck accident.
If poor truck maintenance, a lack of truck inspections or an equipment failure is behind a large truck accident in Texas, the trucking or maintenance company could face liability for the wreck. This means the victim could receive financial compensation for his or her medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering from the trucking company’s insurance carrier.
To recover compensation for a maintenance-related trucking accident, you must prove fault. Work with an experienced San Antonio personal injury attorney to help you meet your burden of proof.