Truck Equipment Failure Accident Lawyer in Fort Worth, TX
Truck accidents are often much more complex than car accidents for many reasons. They tend to cause more serious injuries because of the disparity between commercial trucks and smaller passenger cars. More parties may be involved in truck accidents. Also, the trucking industry is heavily regulated by state and federal law.
Many truck accidents are caused by defective equipment or equipment failure caused by lack of maintenance, which can be due to violations of state or federal laws. At Stephens Law, we have extensive experience representing the rights of people who are injured because of the negligent actions of others in Fort Worth, Texas.
You can contact a Fort Worth truck equipment failure accident lawyer online or by calling (817) 420-7000
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How Our Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help After Truck Equipment Failure Causes a Collision
Stephens Law focuses exclusively on representing individuals who have been harmed by the negligent acts of others, including truck accident victims and their families. For more than two decades, Attorney Jason Stephens and his team have fought zealously to obtain the compensation our firm’s clients deserve.
If you or a loved one was involved in a truck accident, you can count on us to:
- Thoroughly investigate the accident to identify all responsible parties
- Hold those responsible for your crash financially accountable for the harm you’ve suffered
- Answer your questions, address your concerns, and communicate about the progress of your case
- Fight for your rights through a negotiated settlement or other legal action
Attorney Jason Stephens strives to be a valuable advocate for accident victims and to level the playing field against profit-driven insurance companies. Contact Stephens Law today for a free consultation with an experienced Fort Worth truck accident attorney.
A Trucking Company’s Responsibility to Maintain Safe Vehicles
Trucking companies, drivers, and other parties involved in the trucking industry are required to maintain their fleets so that the vehicles can be safely operated.
They must:
- Regularly inspect the trucks
- Test equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation
- Complete pre-trip inspections to ensure vehicles are in a safe condition
- Properly maintain the fleet
- Secure loads within weight-restricted limits
If the trucking company or other party responsible for maintenance fails to properly maintain the truck, they may be responsible for any accidents that result due to this failure.
What Are Common Types of Truck Equipment Failure?
Some of the most common types of truck equipment failures that can lead to accidents include:
- Tires – Tires that are not checked often and replaced after a certain number of miles can cause blowouts and wrecks.
- Brakes – Brakes that are worn or defective can cause rollover accidents.
- Steering equipment – If a piece of steering equipment fails, the trucker may be unable to maintain control of the vehicle, and a crash can occur.
- Lights – Many truck drivers work primarily during the night when there is less traffic. If lights are not working, other drivers may be unaware of their presence, or the truck driver may not see a hazard in front of them and can wreck.
- Engine – Old or poorly maintained engines can fail and lead to sudden mechanical failure during transit.
- Electrical system – Truck drivers with malfunctioning electrical systems may not receive important information about how the truck is operating.
- Turn signals – If the truck driver’s turn signals are out, other drivers may be unable to anticipate their movements.
- Axles – An axle that breaks during transit can cause a rollover or jackknife accident.
- Mirrors – If mirrors are missing or detached, truck drivers may not be able to see nearby drivers and can crash into them.
- Trailer – A trailer can separate from the truck when a coupling system malfunctions.
- Cargo restraints – If cargo restraints fail, the cargo can become loose during a trip and pose a serious hazard to other motorists.
Our legal team will work tirelessly to determine what caused the truck equipment failure that led to your accident.
What Are Common Causes of Truck Equipment Failure?
Trucks involve many specialized parts. If one or more parts fail, serious accidents can occur.
Truck equipment failure may be due to the following:
- Design defect – A design defect occurs when there is an inherent problem with how the component was designed so that it does not aid in the safe operation of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing defect – A manufacturing defect occurs when there is a problem during the manufacturing process, so some of the components are not made according to specifications.
- Inadequate inspection – If the trucking company, driver, or third party sped through an inspection, they might have missed important problems with the truck.
- Poor maintenance – In a rush to get loads delivered and payment, trucking companies may skip routine maintenance on their vehicles.
- Overloaded cargo – If trucks exceed applicable weight limits, overloaded trucks can tip over or jackknife.
We will investigate the accident and preserve important evidence to help support your claim.
Contact Stephens Law To Speak With a Fort Worth Truck Equipment Failure Accident Attorney
If you were injured because of a truck’s equipment failure, a Fort Worth truck accident lawyer at Stephens Law can help. Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation to discuss your accident and the compensation you can seek for your injuries and losses.
