
There are thousands of trucks on our roadways every day, so it’s no surprise they are involved in a good number of crashes. More than 15 million trucks are on U.S. highways, and more than 4,500 people lost their lives in large truck accidents in 2017.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Texas ranks among the states with the highest number of trucks and the largest number of truck accidents. After a truck accident, the cause and contributing factors must be determined to assess liability. If a manufacturing defect is found, the truck parts manufacturer could be held responsible.
Trucks have thousands of mechanical parts, so it is not unusual to find that one or more parts are defective.
When a defective part is essential to safe operation, the truck manufacturer could be held responsible for an accident. Some of the most common defective truck parts include:
Generally, the truck driver or owner is accountable for truck accidents. However, as with car accidents, the manufacturer could be at fault in some instances. The cause of an accident may fall into one of three categories: human error, mechanical malfunction, or external factors such as road or weather conditions.
Mechanical malfunctions can cause or contribute to serious and deadly truck crashes. There are several factors you need to consider when you determine the cause of a crash. The parts themselves could be defective. If that is the case, the manufacturer could be responsible for the accident. If the parts were installed incorrectly, the maintenance company could be partly to blame.
If the truck owner does not properly maintain the parts, the truck company might be at fault. Finally, the truck driver may not have operated the vehicle safely, and the parts may have failed due to human error. Commercial trucks must undergo inspections and follow federal rules and codes governing vehicle maintenance.
Truck accidents can be extremely complicated and, therefore, require help from a qualified truck accident lawyer. Your lawyer will review the details of the case and gather information and documentation to prove if there were defective parts that caused or contributed to the accident. This information can sometimes be difficult to obtain. Remember that the trucking company maintains truck maintenance records, and they may be unwilling to provide them after an accident without being compelled to do so. In some instances, your attorney may need to file a motion with the court to get the records that he needs to evaluate the case.
After a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries as well as money for pain and suffering and lost wages. If you were hurt in a truck crash, it is important to seek legal guidance as quickly as possible from an experienced truck wreck attorney.
Attorney Greg Baumgartner has obtained millions of dollars in truck accident settlements for our clients. We understand how to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact our skilled 18-wheeler accident lawyers today to schedule a free initial case review- at 281-893-0760!
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