Truck Maintenance Failures That Cause Lawsuits
Truck Maintenance Failures That Cause Lawsuits
Blog Article
Commercial trucks travel thousands of miles each week, often carrying tons of cargo across states and highways. With such heavy-duty usage, routine maintenance isn’t optional — it’s critical for safety. When companies or drivers neglect maintenance, it’s not just a violation of federal regulations — it can lead to devastating accidents, injuries, and lawsuits.
In this guide, we break down the most common truck maintenance failures that lead to crashes, explain who can be held legally responsible, and show how a qualified truck accident lawyer can help victims recover full compensation.
Why Truck Maintenance Matters
Trucks are complex machines. They weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car and take much longer to stop. When just one part — like the brakes or tires — fails, it can cause a major collision.
The Federal Motor copyright Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial motor carriers to:
Conduct regular vehicle inspections
Repair or replace defective components
Maintain records of all repairs and inspections
Remove unsafe vehicles from service
Neglecting these responsibilities isn’t just careless — it’s a legal liability. If poor maintenance caused or contributed to a truck accident, victims have every right to seek legal action.
Most Common Truck Maintenance Failures That Lead to Accidents
1. Brake System Failures
Brake failure is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. If brakes are worn out, misaligned, or improperly adjusted, a truck may be unable to stop in time — especially when descending hills or in heavy traffic.
Common causes of brake failure include:
Worn-out brake pads or rotors
Air leaks in brake lines
Overheating due to poor adjustment
Failure to inspect or replace components
If an inspection would have caught the issue, the trucking company or maintenance provider may be held liable.
2. Tire Blowouts and Bald Tires
Commercial trucks require high-quality tires with adequate tread and correct inflation. When tires are overused, underinflated, or damaged, they can blow out — often causing the driver to lose control.
Key failures include:
Ignoring visible tire wear
Failing to rotate tires
Skipping pressure checks
Using mismatched or defective tires
Tire maintenance is basic but critical. When neglected, it can result in deadly high-speed accidents.
3. Steering and Suspension Problems
A poorly maintained steering or suspension system can cause swerving, fishtailing, or rollovers. These problems often occur from worn-out components or failure to lubricate and inspect the system.
Issues include:
Loose steering linkages
Worn ball joints
Broken springs or shocks
Leaking hydraulic systems
These mechanical defects are especially dangerous at high speeds or on uneven road surfaces.
4. Faulty Lighting and Signals
Lights may seem minor, but they’re essential for visibility — especially at night or during bad weather. If a truck’s brake lights, turn signals, or headlights are not functioning, nearby drivers may not see or react in time.
Common violations:
Broken taillights or brake lights
Inoperative side marker lamps
Dim or flickering headlights
Burned-out turn indicators
Failing to maintain lighting can lead to rear-end collisions and side-impact crashes — and opens the door to legal claims.
5. Transmission and Engine Issues
Truck engines and transmissions are under constant stress. If they fail suddenly due to poor maintenance, a truck can stall in traffic or stop responding to the driver — creating a serious hazard.
Neglect in these systems includes:
Skipping oil and filter changes
Ignoring transmission fluid levels
Not replacing worn belts and hoses
Operating trucks with known engine faults
If mechanical failure caused by poor maintenance leads to a crash, the operator or service provider can be held accountable.
6. Faulty Trailer Attachments
In some accidents, the trailer becomes detached from the truck, causing it to strike other vehicles or spill cargo. This can happen when hitches, safety chains, or fifth-wheel connections are not properly maintained or secured.
Examples of negligence include:
Worn locking mechanisms
Unsecured cargo or trailer
Skipping trailer inspections
Use of incorrect parts
Trailer-related maintenance failures often result in lawsuits due to the severe damage they cause.
Who Is Legally Responsible for Truck Maintenance Failures?
Multiple parties may be liable when poor truck maintenance causes a crash:
Trucking Company
Companies are responsible for ensuring their fleet is roadworthy. If they skip inspections, delay repairs, or pressure drivers to operate unsafe trucks, they can be sued directly for negligence.
Third-Party Maintenance Providers
If the company hired an outside mechanic or repair shop and that provider failed to do their job properly, they may share liability in the lawsuit.
Truck Driver
Drivers must perform pre-trip inspections and report any issues. If a driver ignores visible defects or chooses to drive a truck they know is unsafe, they can be held liable.
Truck Owner (if different from copyright)
Some companies lease trucks or trailers from third-party owners. If the owner failed to maintain their equipment before leasing it out, they may also be brought into the case.
A skilled truck accident lawyer will identify every potentially liable party and file claims accordingly.
How to Prove Maintenance Negligence in a Lawsuit
Proving a crash was caused by poor maintenance requires strong evidence. Your lawyer will investigate and collect:
Truck inspection and maintenance logs
Repair invoices and mechanic reports
FMCSA compliance history
Pre-trip and post-trip inspection checklists
Black box (ECM) data
Expert mechanical analysis
Photos of the damaged components
Witness statements and accident reports
Timing is everything — the sooner you contact a truck accident lawyer, the better your chances of preserving crucial evidence.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
If truck maintenance failure caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Emergency medical care
Ongoing treatment and therapy
Lost income and future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Disability or disfigurement
Property damage
Wrongful death (if you lost a loved one)
Punitive damages (in extreme negligence cases)
Because trucking companies carry large insurance policies, these claims can result in significant settlements — but only when liability is clearly proven.
Preventable Maintenance Failures and FMCSA Violations
The FMCSA requires commercial carriers to follow a detailed set of maintenance rules, including:
Systematic inspection and repair programs
Retaining maintenance records for at least 12 months
Immediate correction of known defects
Minimum safety standards for brakes, tires, lights, and more
Failure to comply with these rules not only increases crash risk — it creates a strong foundation for your legal claim. Violating FMCSA standards is often considered negligence per se, meaning it automatically supports your case.
What to Do If You Suspect Maintenance Failure Caused Your Accident
If you're injured in a truck crash and believe maintenance issues played a role, follow these steps:
Get immediate medical attention
Call the police and request an accident report
Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible defects
Do not discuss fault with the driver or company representatives
Avoid signing anything from insurers
Contact a trusted truck accident lawyer right away
An attorney will start the investigation, protect your rights, and make sure all evidence is preserved.
Final Thoughts
Truck accidents caused by maintenance failures are not “just accidents” — they are usually the result of negligence, cost-cutting, or regulatory violations. When trucking companies fail to keep their vehicles safe, innocent people pay the price.
The good news is, you have the legal right to hold them accountable. A skilled truck accident lawyer can help you uncover the truth, prove liability, and secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
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