Large trucks are very complex machines that need to work right for everyone to stay safe on the road. A serious crash can be caused by even one faulty part. Truck drivers and companies are expected to check and maintain every part regularly. When they don’t, accidents can happen, and the results can be terrible.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck crash, there may be more to it than driver error. You might be able to get compensation if the cause was a faulty part. The knowledgeable truck accident attorneys from TopDog Law know how to investigate these cases and find out if the equipment is defective. To understand why these crashes happen, you must first know which parts commonly fail.
Brakes That Don’t Work
One of the most important parts of a truck is its brakes. The truck might not be able to stop in time if it fails.
Poor maintenance is a major reason why brakes fail so often. Sometimes, the pads wear out over time, or the air brakes leak. There are times when there is not enough brake fluid to keep the system working.
When brakes fail, they can cause rear-end or jackknife accidents. These are some of the most dangerous types of truck collisions.
Worn or Defective Tires
Tire troubles are a major reason why trucks get into accidents. If the tire blows out, the truck might swerve or roll over.
Tire problems can be caused by mistakes in the way they were made. Some are caused by normal wear and tear or improper inflation. Regularly checking the tread, pressure, and general state of their tires is important for drivers.
Ignoring tire issues can cause accidents involving more than one car or truck running into barriers. It’s hard to avoid these crashes, which are often very violent.
Broken or Poorly Maintained Lights
Trucks need lights to stay visible and help other drivers predict their movements. People can’t avoid danger when the lights go out.
Common lighting problems include burned-out bulbs or wiring failures. Trucks that don’t have working headlights, brake lights, or turn signals can cause rear-end accidents or lane-change collisions.
The law requires all truck lights to work at all times. Still, drivers and companies often put off repairs or don’t do regular checks.
Defective Rear Underride Guards
Underride guards are put in place so that smaller cars can’t slide under a truck during a crash. When they don’t work, it can be fatal.
Some guards break apart during collisions. Others aren’t installed correctly or are made of weak materials. If the guard is defective, it can make a crash much worse than it should be.
In rear-end accidents, these parts are very important. They can make the difference between a minor injury and a fatal accident.
Failing Steering Systems
A truck must be able to steer smoothly and quickly to stay safe. Accidents happen fast when something goes wrong with the steering system.
The wheel alignment, shock absorbers, and ball joints are all parts of the steering. It might be hard for the driver to stay in control if one of these parts is broken or worn out.
When driving on the highway or in tight turns, steering problems are especially dangerous. Over 1 in 5 truck accidents in one study were caused by problems with the steering.
Why These Defects Matter
Parts of trucks don’t always break down because it’s the driver’s fault. It could be the fault of the manufacturers, mechanics, or trucking companies.
Sometimes the part was made wrong. Other times, it wasn’t installed properly or never checked. Things like this don’t always show up right away.
If there is an accident, an investigation can show whether a defective part caused it. That’s why you need to act quickly after a truck accident.
