Trucks on South Carolina’s roads can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, or more with special permits. These vehicles can present a serious hazard on the road if not maintained properly. Truckers and trucking companies must follow maintenance requirements and best practices to make sure that issues with trucks don’t cause crashes to occur. Unfortunately, sometimes these drivers and companies fall short — and the consequences can be dire.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck crash due to inadequate maintenance, Marc Brown Law Firm is here to help. Our South Carolina truck accident attorneys have a deep understanding of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requirements on inspection, repair, and maintenance, and we can help you to prove that a violation occurred and that this failure was the cause of your crash. To find out more about how our firm can help you in the aftermath of a truck accident resulting from inadequate maintenance, give us a call or contact us online today.
What is inadequate truck maintenance?
As the FMCSA Motor Carrier Safety Planner explains in 5.2 Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance (Part 396):
- Every motor carrier and equipment provider must “systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) under its control.”
- All employees of carriers involved in the inspection and maintenance of vehicles are also obligated to comply with rules and regulations in 49 CFR 396.
- All parts and accessories, including those specified in 49 CFR 393 or that may affect safe operations, must also be kept in “safe and proper operating condition.” This specifically includes frames and frame assemblies, axles, attaching parts, wheels, rims, steering systems, and suspension systems.
Unfortunately, trucking companies, drivers, and those responsible for maintaining commercial motor vehicles sometimes fall short and don’t follow these requirements. If that happens, this violation of a safety rule could result in a truck accident — and could make those who failed to fulfill their safety obligations legally liable for losses.
How does inadequate truck maintenance cause accidents?
Inadequate truck maintenance can result in accidents when critical parts or systems fail on commercial motor vehicles. Some of the most common types of inadequate truck maintenance leading to accidents include the following:
- Brake problems: Poor adjustments, air leaks, and worn pads can cause serious incidents, including rear-end accidents and truck override accidents.
- Tire problems: Tires that are worn, incorrectly inflated, damaged, or that have low tread depth can blow out, causing instability and leading to accidents.
- Lighting issues: When headlights, tail lights, or blinkers don’t work, this can impact visibility, causing accidents when truckers don’t see other drivers or when other drivers don’t see the truck.
- Mechanical failures: Issues with the vehicle’s steering, suspension, or other parts and systems could cause the driver to lose control, resulting in accidents like rollovers and lane-departure crashes.
- Coupling device problems: If the fifth wheel isn’t inspected or isn’t properly lubricated, this could cause the trailer to become detached from the tractor.
These are just some of the many examples of how inadequate truck maintenance could directly lead to accidents that cause injuries or even fatalities.
Getting help from a South Carolina truck accident lawyer
Marc Brown Law Firm understands the maintenance requirements that apply to trucking companies, as well as the consequences when those requirements are not fulfilled. We can help you to identify rule violations, determine which defendants should be held liable — including trucking companies, truck drivers, and mechanics or maintenance professionals — and work with you to fight for full and fair compensation.
To find out more about how our firm can help you after a truck crash with inadequate maintenance, give us a call or contact us online today.