Commercial Truck Accidents Caused by Mechanical Failure
Collisions with big rigs and other commercial vehicles are some of the most devastating types of accidents in which a driver can be involved. Like crashes involving only smaller vehicles, collisions with commercial vehicles can occur for a number of reasons, including distracted driving, falling asleep at the wheel, or failing to abide by traffic signals. These large vehicles, however, are more prone to mechanical failure, which can be alarming for anyone else on the road, as crashes involving commercial vehicles tend to have particularly catastrophic results. If you were injured in a crash with a large commercial vehicle and there is evidence that mechanical failure is at least partly to blame, please contact one of our dedicated Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyers for more information about collecting compensation for your losses.
Brake System Failure
Commercial vehicles are made up of a number of complex systems and a defect in any one of these systems could result in complete mechanical failure. Of these systems, brakes play one of the most important roles, as they are responsible for stopping the truck, which, when fully loaded, takes as much as 20 to 40 percent longer to stop than a standard sized car. Although specifically designed to shoulder this load, commercial truck brakes can and do fail, whether as a result of a manufacturing or design defect, or a failure to properly inspect or service the brake system on a regular basis. In either case, the trucking company or the vehicle’s manufacturer can be held liable for their negligence if it resulted in a collision.
Steering System Failure
Trucks also have steering systems that require regular maintenance and repairs, which, if not properly completed, can put anyone else on the road at risk. Some of the most common parts, that when faulty, can cause the failure of the entire steering system, include:
- The hydraulic fluid reservoir;
- The steer axle;
- Drag and steering links;
- Ball joints; and
- Arm connectors.
Trucking companies that fail to ensure that these parts, and the steering system as a whole, are properly maintained and functioning can be held liable for later steering system failures if those mistakes resulted in an accident.
Transmission Failure
Commercial truck transmissions experience a lot of wear and tear due to the fact that trucks have many more gears than the average car and are also required to shift more often. Failing to check for regular wear and tear, or inspect a vehicle for defects in the transmission system itself can have serious consequences, including the failure of the transmission. Transmission failure can also occur when a truck is overloaded. This is because transmissions are rated to carry a certain amount of weight and consistently overloading transmissions past their maximum limit can cause failure of the entire system.
Contact an Experienced Florida Truck Accident Lawyer
For help determining whether mechanical failure caused or contributed to your own collision with a commercial vehicle, please contact the dedicated truck accident lawyers at Boone & Davis by calling 954-566-9919 today.
Resource:
fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/research-and-analysis/large-truck-crash-causation-study-analysis-brief
https://www.booneanddavislaw.com/the-dangers-of-wide-right-turn-truck-accidents/
