10 Commercial Truck Defects That Cause Accidents

Picture this: You’re driving down the highway, sharing the road with a massive commercial truck. Suddenly, the truck’s tire blows out, or its brakes fail, causing a devastating accident. Faulty components, lack of maintenance, or overlooked recalls can turn these powerful vehicles into dangerous hazards, putting innocent drivers like you at risk.

At Knowles Law Firm, we understand how catastrophic these accidents can be. We’ve spent decades helping accident victims uncover the root causes of devastating crashes, including those involving defective commercial trucks. With over 55 years of experience and a track record of multi-million dollar settlements, we’ve helped clients uncover the truth behind commercial truck defects and hold negligent parties accountable. If you’ve been injured due to a truck defect, we’re here to help you seek justice and fair compensation.

Common Commercial Truck Defects That Result in Vehicular Accidents

A commercial vehicle has many moving parts and it is possible a defect can cause an accident. Due to the risks and implications, several laws surround the maintenance and upkeep requirements for business owners with commercial vehicles. Some of the most common of these defects include the following:

• Blown out tire
• Broken-down or worn-out breaks
• Aging batteries
• Exhaust system breakdowns
• Suspension issues
• Broken clutch, either due to age or misuse
• Oil and fuel leaks
• Overheating systems
• Engine issues
• General electrical defects, such as for the motor, battery, or alternator

These defects and issues are nuanced, and it’s often likely that multiple factors cause parts to fall into disrepair or decay. For help learning about these defects and issues that manufacturers and businesses would be responsible for handling, please reach out to Knowles Law Firm. We can help you identify the problem, determine any underlying causes, and find and analyze evidence related to your claim.

How to Prove Liability in Your Commercial Truck Accident

Accidents involving commercial vehicles, including large commercial trucks, can be complicated. However, if you’re confident that an issue related to the commercial business or vehicle is the cause of your accident, we can help you prove their liability. There are four essential pieces necessary to prove liability in an injury claim, and when these are demonstrated, victims gain the right to compensation for their losses.

Duty of Care

Duty of care is a person’s responsibility to maintain safety in a given situation. Business owners also have a duty of care to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. For example, a business owner must train their employees, hire competent employees to perform their assigned tasks, and maintain their equipment.

Trucks and transportation are included in a company’s equipment. Ultimately, the owner of the commercial vehicle is responsible for properly maintaining the trucks. This means the owner should replace, test, and service every part and vehicle necessary to ensure processes and procedures are running smoothly.

Negligence

Someone is negligent when they breach their duty of care or do not act in a way that mitigates the risk of injury or death. A truck company may be negligent if it tests a vehicle and finds that it doesn’t break properly, and it still chooses to operate the faulty vehicle anyway. The company is also likely negligent if it refuses to test its vehicles according to federal, state, and other local regulations regarding its equipment’s safe and appropriate use.

Causation

Causation means that someone’s injuries were directly caused by a negligent action. Someone can be negligent without causing injury, and another person can get hurt without another individual being at fault. 

To prove that someone’s negligence caused your injuries, we encourage you to seek medical care as soon as possible. Providing medical records and documents, especially if you seek out care quickly, can help prove you were subjected to injuries due to no fault of your own.

Monetary Losses

To qualify for compensation in a commercial truck accident, you must demonstrate you’ve faced objective monetary losses. For example, lost wages, medical bills, and property damage repairs would be an adequate basis for your personal injury claim.

Did a Truck Defect Cause Your Motor-Vehicle Accident? Contact Knowles Law Firm Today

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a defective commercial truck, Knowles Law Firm is here to help you navigate the complexities of your case. With over 55 years of experience and a history of securing multi-million dollar settlements, we’ve built a reputation for holding negligent companies accountable. Our team understands how to gather critical evidence, prove liability, and advocate for the compensation you deserve.

Truck defect cases can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. Let us handle the legal challenges so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life. Contact us today at (402) 431-9000 or reach out through our contact form.