What Happens If Poor Truck Maintenance Causes an Accident?

Poor truck maintenance is one of several potential causes of commercial truck accidents. From worn brake pads and tires to faulty hydraulic and electrical systems, various maintenance-related issues can cause truck drivers to suddenly and unexpectedly lose control. 

When poor truck maintenance causes a commercial truck accident, there are two key steps for proving liability: (i) proving the specific maintenance-related issue that caused the accident; and (ii) proving what company is legally responsible. Both of these require a prompt and thorough investigation, and this makes it important to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

Common Maintenance Issues Involved in Commercial Truck Accidents 

When you hire an experienced truck accident lawyer to investigate your (or your loved one’s) accident, one of your lawyer’s first priorities will be to determine precisely why the accident happened. Along with assessing potential driver-related factors such as driver distractions and fatigue, this will also involve assessing potential factors related to the truck itself. 

Some examples of poor truck maintenance issues that can cause (or contribute to causing) commercial truck accidents include:

• Inadequate Brake System Maintenance – Brake systems on large commercial trucks consist of several components. All of these components need to be functioning properly at all times. Worn brake pads, worn rotors, malfunctioning calipers, and malfunctioning hydraulic systems can all prevent truck drivers from stopping safely in time to avoid a serious collision. 
• Failure to Replace (or Properly Retread) Worn Tires – With the number of miles that large commercial trucks travel on a daily basis, they go through tires much faster than most cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs. Waiting too long to replace or retread a truck’s tires can prevent the truck’s driver from safely maintaining control. Improperly retreading truck tires can lead to dangerous accidents as well. 
• Driving With Burnt Out Lights – At night and in bad weather, it is critical that commercial truck drivers can both see and be seen. Burnt out headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and side markers can all increase the risk of a serious or fatal accident that could—and should—have been avoided with adequate truck maintenance. 
• Inadequate Engine and Transmission Maintenance – Inadequate engine and transmission maintenance can lead to sudden failures and other issues that can leave truck drivers helpless to avoid a collision. In some cases, oversights as simple as failing to top off a truck’s engine oil can cause catastrophic failures leading to dangerous or deadly accidents. 
• Suspension and Steering System Failures – Suspension and steering system failures due to poor truck maintenance can also present a variety of risks for truck drivers suddenly and unexpectedly losing control. Not only can these failures directly lead to accidents, but they can also lead to uneven tire wear and other similar types of issues that can eventually lead to a crash. 

Again, these are just a few examples. From issues with a truck’s electrical system to issues with the latches or straps used to secure cargo, various other maintenance-related issues can lead to life-altering consequences as well. Regardless of the specific issue involved, if you are facing the consequences of a trucking company’s or someone else’s negligence, you deserve full and fair compensation for your accident-related losses. 

Companies that Can Be Legally Responsible for Poor Truck Maintenance 

Once your lawyer identifies the specific maintenance-related issue involved in your (or your loved one’s) commercial truck accident, then your lawyer will be able to identify the company or companies legally responsible for your losses. Broadly speaking, there are two main possibilities: 

1. The Company that Owns (or Leases) and Operates the Truck 

Companies that own (or lease) commercial trucks that they operate on the public roads are required to ensure that their trucks are safe at all times. This includes ensuring that their trucks are properly maintained. 

2. The Company that Performed the Maintenance Work 

If the issue that led to a serious or fatal truck accident was due to negligent maintenance work, the company that performed the work could be liable instead. This could be a maintenance shop, dealership, tire retreading company, or any of a variety of other businesses. 

Talk to a Wisconsin Truck Accident Lawyer for FREE

After a serious truck accident, you should not have to take on trucking companies and insurers on your own. We take on the burden so you can focus on moving forward. At Studinski Law, LLC, we do more so you get more: more support, more clarity, and more peace of mind throughout your case. 

Do you need to know more about your legal rights following a maintenance-related truck accident in Wisconsin? If so, we encourage you to contact us right away.

Contact the Wisconsin truck accident lawyers at Studinski Law, LLC today online or at (715) 343-2850 for a FREE case evaluation. We proudly serve clients in Plover, Marshfield, Stevens Point, and all of Wisconsin.