Failure to Maintain Commercial Trucks

Truck Accident Attorneys in Columbus Helping You

Commercial trucks require regular and careful maintenance to be deemed safe for use on public roads and highways. If a trucking company fails to properly maintain its fleet, everyone else is put in undue danger of being hurt in a truck accident. If you were injured in such a collision, there is a high chance that inadequate maintenance standards played a part in what happened. Allow our Columbus truck accident attorneys at Rourke & Blumenthal to get to the bottom of your accident. We have more than 150 years of combined legal experience we can use to pinpoint the cause of your accident, and use our knowledge to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Regular Maintenance Schedules Keep Everyone Safe

You might not have a mandatory maintenance schedule for your automobile but trucking companies do. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has dedicated their group to officially establishing what is and is not safe practice for all things related to commercial trucks on American highways.

This includes determining how often an 18-wheeler needs to be inspected, maintained, and replaced. It must be considered that if a poorly maintained truck was not a hazard, the maintenance regulations would not exist in the first place. Therefore, a trucking company that does not put in the proper effort to safely maintain its fleet is willfully exposing other motorists to harm.

Most trucks will require frequent maintenance in the form of:

• Tire pressure checks
• Brake system checks
• Steering column realignment
• Checking cargo bed strength
• Checking individual axle strength
• Headlight and taillight replacement

Without routine maintenance, the consequences could be:

• Blown-out tires
• Total brake failure
• Tipping due to freight shifting
• Truck body collapses as axles snap

Everything about a failing commercial truck is dangerous. The driver is put at risk of injury, as are cars next to the large vehicle as it careens out of control. To not do everything they can to prevent this outcome, trucking companies could be found liable for any resulting damage.

Signs of Improperly Maintained Trucks

Identifying a poorly maintained truck before it causes an accident can be challenging, but several warning signs can indicate potential maintenance issues:

• Uneven or Balding Tires: Tires that show uneven wear patterns or are balding can indicate inadequate tire maintenance. This can lead to blowouts, especially at high speeds.
• Squealing or Grinding Brakes: If a truck’s brakes are making unusual noises, it may mean the brake system is compromised. Brake failure is a leading cause of truck accidents.
• Leaking Fluids: Visible leaks under the truck can suggest problems with the engine, transmission, or hydraulic systems, which could lead to mechanical failures.
• Excessive Exhaust Smoke: Black or noxious exhaust smoke can indicate engine trouble, which may arise from poor maintenance practices.
• Flickering or Non-functional Lights: Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals that do not work properly can greatly increase the risk of collisions.
• Steering Issues: Difficulty in steering or unusual play in the steering wheel can indicate alignment or suspension problems, compromising the driver’s ability to control the vehicle.
• Rust and Corrosion: Excessive rust on visible parts of the truck can compromise structural integrity and indicate neglect.

How Our Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

When a poorly maintained truck causes harm to you or your family, it is important to hold the responsible parties accountable. At Rourke & Blumenthal, our experienced truck accident attorneys are well-versed in determining liability for maintenance-related truck accidents.

Here's how we can help you seek justice:

• Thorough Investigation: We conduct an exhaustive investigation of the accident scene and the truck's maintenance records to identify any lapses in required upkeep and establish negligence.
• Gathering Evidence: Our legal team collects and preserves critical evidence such as inspection reports, repair logs, and testimonies from maintenance personnel to build a strong case.
• Expert Testimony: We collaborate with industry experts who can provide professional insights into how maintenance failures contributed to the accident.
• Advocacy for Maximum Compensation: Using our combined legal experience, we aim to secure the highest possible compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
• Holding Trucking Companies Accountable: We are dedicated to ensuring that negligent trucking companies face the full consequences of their failure to maintain safe vehicles, thereby helping to prevent future accidents.

Our Columbus truck accident attorneys can support you in holding trucking companies liable. By addressing these maintenance issues head-on, we can help make the road safer for everyone.

Maintaining Your Wellbeing Through Legal Action

Even when it seems clear to you that a poorly maintained commercial truck caused your injuries, the trucker and their parent company will surely try to see things differently. You must expect and prepare for a serious legal battle, possibly against a team of defense attorneys. What they will not foresee is you coming to court with a team of your own—the highly knowledgeable and aggressive Columbus truck accident attorneys of Rourke & Blumenthal.