According to a TRIP study of nationwide data, truck accident fatalities in the United States rose 18 percent over a recent five-year period. Unfortunately, many of these crashes are truck accidents due to negligent maintenance on the part of commercial vehicle owners, operators, and mechanics.
As more large trucks travel Oklahoma’s roadways, the likelihood of devastating collisions increases. When poor truck maintenance leads to a collision, you may face significant physical injuries, expenses, and questions about what you can do to hold the responsible parties accountable.
An experienced Oklahoma City truck accident attorney from Cain Law can guide you through your legal options when you contact us to get started with a free consultation.
How Cain Law Can Help Prove Negligent Maintenance Caused Your Truck Crash
The trucking crash attorneys at Cain Law bring more than a century of combined legal experience to fighting for victims of severe truck accidents. By thoroughly preparing every case as though it will go directly to trial, we signal to major insurance providers – and the trucking companies they represent – that we’re serious about recovering maximum compensation for our clients.
We have secured over $250 million in total compensation for truck collision victims and their families across Oklahoma, with such strong results as the following:
- $3.7 million – Wrongful death settlement for a semi crash
- $3.5 million – Wrongful death settlement for a trucking collision
- $3.3 million – Partial jury verdict and partial settlement for traumatic brain injuries in a semi crash
- $3 million-plus – Extensive injuries to two clients involved in a semi-truck collision
Don’t just take our word for it, though. We’ve earned many 5-star reviews from satisfied clients, including this one:
“I worked with Cameron Torres, and he was amazing. He was very communicative throughout the entire process and fought for me to get what we both felt I was owed. From the beginning, he investigated to make sure nothing was left unturned. If you’re looking for an attorney, he’s your guy.”
– Shaunte C.
Who Is Responsible for Maintaining Commercial Vehicles?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates commercial trucking activity in the U.S. in 49 CFR Part 393, 396, and 571. Commercial vehicle maintenance is among the regulated activities.
Commercial truck maintenance involves several parties, each of whom plays a role in keeping trucks safe for the road. When one or more of these parties fail to meet their responsibilities, it can lead to mechanical problems that endanger other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. By identifying which party or parties neglected their maintenance responsibilities, you can build a stronger case in a truck accident claim.
Potentially responsible parties include:
- Truck Drivers – Drivers must conduct daily inspections and report maintenance concerns to prevent mechanical failures. Skipping inspections or ignoring problems increases the risk of accidents.
- Truck Owners – Owners hold the primary responsibility for keeping trucks in safe operating condition. By neglecting scheduled maintenance or cutting corners on repairs, they put the truck driver and other motorists at risk.
- Trucking Companies – Companies managing fleets must establish and follow strict maintenance schedules. When companies pressure drivers to meet tight deadlines instead of prioritizing truck maintenance and the safe operation of their fleet, they can be held liable for resulting collisions.
- Mechanics and Maintenance Shops – Professional mechanics must perform accurate diagnostics and repairs on trucks. If a mechanic fails to repair known issues or installs faulty parts, their negligence could contribute to a crash.
Our truck accident lawyers can investigate your crash, review maintenance records, identify who bears legal liability for your injuries, and maximize your recovery.
How Defective Maintenance Can Affect Your Truck Accident Claim in Oklahoma City
Defective maintenance can have a direct impact on truck accident claims. When poor maintenance contributes to a crash, victims may hold various parties accountable for their resulting injuries and losses.
In these cases, identifying the responsible party and linking the accident to specific maintenance issues strengthens your claim and can influence the amount of compensation you may recover.
For example, FMCSA regulations require trucking companies to systematically inspect their vehicles. If a trucking company fails to regularly inspect a truck or skips scheduled maintenance to save time or cut costs, these actions can directly lead to crashes.
Truck accidents caused by poor maintenance can also occur if a mechanic performs subpar repairs. Poorly maintained brakes, worn tires, and faulty steering systems all increase the risk of a serious collision.
Additionally, truck owners and drivers may neglect daily inspections that could reveal problems, leading to preventable failures on the road.
When maintenance failures contribute to a crash, proving this link can significantly affect the outcome of your claim, making it possible for you to hold the right parties responsible for your injuries, losses, and other expenses.
What Types of Maintenance Issues Can Lead to Trucking Accidents in Oklahoma City?
Various maintenance issues can make large commercial trucks hazardous on the road. These vehicles rely on regular inspections and proper upkeep to remain safe. When any party involved in a truck’s care neglects their responsibilities, serious maintenance problems can arise and increase the likelihood of a crash.
Some common maintenance issues that can lead to trucking accidents include:
- Brake Problems – Trucks require powerful braking systems to slow down and stop safely. Worn brake pads, damaged air brakes, or brake fluid leaks can lead to brake failure, making it difficult or impossible for the driver to stop in time to avoid collisions.
- Tire Issues – Properly maintained tires help keep large trucks stable. Over time, however, tires can develop wear, lose tread, or lose air pressure, increasing the risk of flat tires and blowouts. A driver can lose control of a truck during tire blowouts.
- Suspension Failures – The suspension system supports the truck’s weight and maintains balance on the road. A worn or damaged suspension can cause a truck to sway or tip, especially in sharp turns or high winds.
- Steering Malfunctions – Steering system problems, such as loose or damaged components, can make it difficult for the driver to control the truck, especially at high speeds.
- Signal and Light Failures – Broken or missing lights reduce a truck’s visibility and make it harder for other drivers to anticipate its movements, especially at night or in bad weather.
- Broken Windshield Wipers – Broken or damaged windshield wipers can be extremely dangerous during inclement weather by reducing the truck driver’s visibility.
Each of these maintenance issues poses a serious threat to road safety. When mechanical issues contribute to a crash, these problems can serve as evidence in a truck accident claim that helps victims hold the appropriate parties accountable.
Contact Cain Law if You Were Injured In a Truck Accident Caused by Poor Maintenance on Oklahoma City
Cain Law brings over three decades of experience to our work on truck accident cases for clients in situations like yours – and we’ve recovered more than $250 million on their behalf. We’re available 24/7 to take your call and are prepared to start on your claim immediately to maximize your recovery.
When you need a truck accident lawyer for maintenance issues that caused a crash and injured you, contact us right away for your free initial consultation.
In Pain – Call Cain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a truck still be unsafe if it passed a recent inspection?
Yes. Because an inspection only shows the truck’s condition at the moment of review, parts could break, wear out, or fail the next day. In addition, mechanics may miss internal cracks, worn brake pads, or electrical flaws that are hard to see. Road debris, bad weather, or heavy loads can also contribute to a crash, even if a truck passes inspection.
How long are truck maintenance records usually kept?
Under federal regulations, trucking companies generally must keep vehicle maintenance, inspection, and repair records for one year while the truck is in active service, and for six months after the vehicle leaves the company’s control or is retired.
What if the truck had a recent repair before the crash?
This can shift or expand liability to include the third-party mechanic or repair shop that performed the faulty work. Vital evidence that could prove whether the shop made a mistake or used defective components includes repair records, invoices, parts receipts, and the physical failed part itself.
Should the truck be inspected after a maintenance-related crash?
Yes, for the following reasons:
- An expert can find broken parts that caused the crash, which would serve as physical proof for your case.
- Inspectors can compare the physical damage to paper records.
- It would prevent the trucking company from trying to fix or destroy the vehicle, thus preventing loss of evidence (known legally as spoliation of evidence).