(845) 802-0047The owner and driver of a motor vehicle must perform reasonable maintenance to keep his or her vehicle in good repair. This includes ensuring the brakes, lights, steering wheel, and other necessary equipment or devices on the car are working properly. These requirements also apply to commercial vehicles such as 18 wheelers, double trailers, tankers, and other large trucks. In fact, it is more important for commercial vehicles to keep their vehicles in good repair because even minor mechanical defects could result in catastrophic New York trucking accidents.
If a trucking accident does occur due to a maintenance issue or mechanical defect, it is usually the fault of the truck driving and trucking company. But it could also be a repair company, mechanic, or servicer who is liable for creating a mechanical error or neglecting to perform necessary repairs. Hiring a good New York trucking accident lawyer will help to prove who is at fault, as it is likely a thorough investigation and competent expert will be necessary to build a proper case to seek compensation for maintenance issues and mechanical defects.
Types of Maintenance Issues in a New York Trucking Accident
There is a myriad of different maintenance issues which could be caused in a New York trucking accident. The common causes for these maintenance issues include improper installation, improper maintenance checks, negligent repairs, product defects, or a combination of these causes. The most common maintenance issues include the following:
Tire Blowouts – When a semi-tractor trailer has a tire blowout, it is a very dangerous event for several reasons. First, the large commercial truck could lose control and careen into oncoming traffic or into another lane. This is particularly true when a box truck is on a highway, thruway, or interstate. Second, the shrapnel of the blown-out tire may launch and continue in multiple directions, including continuing forward, to the side, or backward. When this happens the heavy and dangerous tire debris can easily pierce through a windshield and kill another occupant.
Brake Failure – A brake failure on an 18 wheeler is a horrifying problem because it can turn a large big rig into a battering ram. This is particularly true on highways and other fast-moving roadways, but also up and down hills in more urban or residential areas. Usually, a brake failure trucking accident results in a collision at full speed which means collisions will be devastating.
Light Defects – Despite how large an 18 wheeler can be, at night or in inclement weather a big rig can be difficult to see—particularly when there are visibility problems on the roadway. This is why headlights, rear lights, emergency flashers, turn signals, and other lights on a large commercial vehicle are so important. When these lights do not work properly, or when they are not turned on, other motorists could collide with a cloaked tractor trailer and be seriously injured or wrongfully killed.
Steering Failures – Commercial vehicles are already difficult to maneuver when they are working properly. When steering failures occur these large and inherently dangerous big rigs turn into unguided missiles which can cause serious and fatal New York trucking accidents.
Unsecured Loads – Both New York State and Federal regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) require certain lashings, bindings, and securing mechanisms to be used for certain types of cargo or loads. Certain checks are required even before moving the commercial vehicle. Even once travel has started, the FMCSA regulations specifically require a truck driver to check the securing devices and cargo within a short period of starting the journey. When a truck driver fails to use the proper restraints, fails to properly secure cargo, and fails to check after delivery has begun, the truck driver and trucking company may be liable for any crashes caused by unsecured loads or falling cargo.
Lack if Inspection – Almost all of the maintenance issues and defects that a commercial vehicle could sustain are preventable. Meaning if proper inspections were conducted, the maintenance issues would be detected and resolved. The lack of an inspection can bring liability for trucking accidents under both New York law and Federal regulations.
Injured Due to Mechanical Issues in a New York Trucking Accident? Ask for Our Help
Commercial trucking accident cases are much more complicated than regular auto accidents. When a commercial trucking accident is caused by maintenance issues or mechanical defects, it is a significantly harder case. You cannot hire just any auto accident lawyer. Call our experienced New York trucking accident lawyer to represent you to ensure that your rights to compensation are protected in an 18 wheeler wreck.