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Santa Barbara Failure To Maintain Truck Accident Lawyers
What Is Failure to Maintain?
“Failure to maintain” occurs when a truck owner or operator does not maintain a truck and trailer in accordance with state and federal safety standards. Trucking companies and their drivers are required to comply with federal regulations issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and published in the Federal Register. If trucking companies and truck drivers fail to maintain their vehicles, equipment failure and serious accidents are likely to occur.
If you have been injured in a Santa Barbara trucking accident that was caused by equipment failure, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The team at NordstrandBlack PC can help you fight for the compensation you deserve and hold the negligent parties accountable.
Examples of Failure to Maintain
Trucks are complex and require constant care and maintenance. Many trucks travel extreme distances in a variety of terrains and in varying weather conditions, so over time, parts of the truck naturally wear down. As long as truck drivers and trucking companies inspect the trucks and complete regular maintenance, these issues are not problematic as they can be identified and fixed before an accident occurs.
However, in some cases, when repairs are deferred, heavy trucks cause devastating collisions. Common equipment failures that can cause big trucks to crash include:
- Worn down tires
- Steering issues
- Failure to maintain trailers
- Engine failures
- Weak or broken suspension due to overloading
- Defective electrical systems
Types of Accidents That Can Occur
Trucks are extremely complicated machinery with many moving parts that must work together. If these parts have defects, they can cause a variety of accidents. A common type of accident that results from failing to maintain a truck is rollovers resulting from broken brakes or steering systems. Jackknife accidents can also occur when the driver loses control of the vehicle. Cargo spills or tanker truck leaks and spills also occur due to failure to maintain equipment.
Truck Accident Injuries
Due to the sheer size and weight of trucks, collisions involving a truck often result in devastating injuries. Some of the common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Brain damage
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Loss of limb
Liability and Compensation
Drivers and trucking companies are aware of the risks associated with operating poorly maintained or damaged trucks. They are also aware of the FMCSA regulations that require all trucking companies to regularly inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and log all repairs in a logbook. Any failures to identify and correct issues in a truck can make the truck driver or trucking company liable for a truck accident.
Other parties that may share liability for an accident are truck manufacturers. Truck manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure that a new vehicle is safe to operate and to produce high-quality parts. If an accident was caused by a defective component, then the injured party may be able to hold the manufacturer liable. A mechanic may also share liability if they failed to identify a defective component or properly repair the vehicle.
Get a Skilled Santa Barbara Truck Crash Lawyer on Your Side
Determining who is responsible for an equipment failure as a result of failing to maintain a truck can be a tricky task. This is why you need a skilled Santa Barbara truck accident lawyer on your side to carry out this investigation for you.
The team at NordstrandBlack PC understands how complicated these cases can be and are here to ensure that your legal case runs smoothly. We know how devastating these incidents can be for accident victims and are ready to fight for compensation on your behalf. Give us a call today at (805) 962-2022 for a free consultation.