How Often Do Maintenance Issues Lead to Truck Accidents?

truck sharing road with cars

Truck accidents can have many causes, but one that should not be overlooked is vehicle failure. A particular part failing at the wrong time can cause a dangerous situation for the truck driver and the motorists sharing the road with them. This is why trucking companies must make proper truck maintenance a top priority. If they do not and they cause an accident, a San Mateo County, California truck accident lawyer from our firm will do our best to hold them accountable.

How Often Do Vehicle Failures Cause Truck Accidents?

To learn more about how often maintenance issues could lead to truck accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration commissioned a study. It found that vehicle failures, usually brought on by poor maintenance practices, could be the primary cause of around 10 percent of truck accidents.

This is not the whole story though. Vehicle failures can also contribute to accidents, even when they are not the main cause. This study found that nearly 40 percent of truck accidents could at least partially be traced back to vehicle failures. So it is clear that proper truck maintenance absolutely needs to be one of a trucking company’s most important priorities.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Truck Accidents?

As we mentioned, vehicle failures and poor maintenance can often be contributors to truck accidents. That means that there can be multiple parties to hold accountable when an accident does occur. Liable parties could include:

  • The mechanic who overlooked an issue
  • The trucking company that did not prioritize routine truck maintenance
  • A truck driver who was speeding or following too closely

Even if vehicle failure was partly to blame for an accident, a driver who does not act responsibly can also be held accountable in a personal injury suit.

Can I Sue for Compensation After a Truck Accident?

After an accident with a truck, you may receive a settlement offer from an insurance company. These initial settlements are rarely enough to really cover the costs of the accident and make up for the mental anguish it caused. An attorney from our firm can help you sue for compensation that will help you cover:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages and earning potential
  • A loss of enjoyment
  • The cost of future medical care
  • Pain from disability or disfigurement

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?

A truck accident lawyer from our firm can act as your advocate at every turn. They will:

  • Investigate the trucking company’s safety record
  • Gather the evidence needed to make your case
  • Defend you from accusations of wrongdoing or fault
  • Calculate fair compensation
  • Answer your questions about the legal process

If it can help you build your case and hold all liable parties accountable for the harm that they have caused in this truck accident, your lawyer can do it.

Talk to Our Seasoned Truck Accident Lawyers

So if you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident with a truck, reach out to the Law Offices of Allister R. Liao. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you fight for compensation and hold anyone who contributed to your accident accountable.

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