Were You In a Truck Accident Caused by Mechanical Defects?
A New York Truck Accident Lawyer is Ready to Help!
Whether you call them eighteen-wheelers, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, or big rigs, these large trucks are massive, imposing vehicles. They require significant maintenance and upkeep to operate properly. Precision is necessary at all stages to avoid a catastrophic accident on the road, from the truck’s manufacture to the training of the driver, loading and securing the haul, and making the delivery. If someone is negligent at any point, a serious accident is likely to occur. Mechanical defects in large trucks are especially dangerous, with the potential to cause catastrophic injury to anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby when the truck fails.
If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a truck accident caused by a mechanical defect in the Hudson Valley area, including Kingston, Marlboro and Ulster, contact a dedicated truck accident attorney at Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP, for a consultation with one of our attorneys. We will pursue your claims against truck manufacturers, freight companies, insurance companies, and any other parties who should be held responsible. We’ll fight for your right to compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other legal damages.
Common Truck Defects
Large commercial trucks are made up of thousands of individual parts, and any defect gives rise to an unreasonable risk of catastrophic damage. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a third of all truck-car accidents are caused by vehicle failure.
The FMCSA tracks truck accidents and their underlying causes, including the types of mechanical issues that are most commonly involved in trucking accidents. According to the FMCSA, the most common mechanical issue leading to traffic accidents is the degradation of the brakes. Other common truck defects include:
- Cargo shift failure
- Tire or wheel failure
- Steering issue
- Trailer attachment failure
- Suspension issue
- Defective lights
- Engine and transmission problems
- Issues with the truck’s body (hood, door, etc.)
Determining Liability After a Mechanical Issue Truck Accident
Liability for large truck accidents can be a more complex issue than liability after a standard passenger car accident. Truck drivers often operate commercially, either making deliveries on their behalf or as an employee of a freight company. Truckers are subject to additional safety rules and regulations, and trucking companies owe a duty to everyone on the road to ensure that their drivers, and their trucks, are safe for the public.
When a truck accident is caused by a mechanical defect, there are a number of parties who may be legally responsible. The issue turns on when the defect was introduced, how it came about, and who knew or should have known about the defect. Truck manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that vehicles they put into the market are fit for driving on the road. If a defect is introduced at the design stage or during the truck’s manufacturing, then the truck manufacturer could be held liable for any damage that results. If the coupling comes undone because it was not designed to hold sufficient weight or pressure, for example, the manufacturer may be to blame.
Trucking companies are also responsible for ensuring that their fleet is well-maintained and safe for driving. Truck parts can wear down over time with extensive use. If a freight company fails to inspect its vehicles and fix or replace worn-down parts, the trucking company might be responsible for any accident that results. Even if a defect was introduced by the manufacturer, if the trucking company should have identified the defect through routine inspection and maintenance, the trucking company could share in some of the responsibility for the accident.
A seasoned truck accident lawyer can evaluate your accident and determine who should be held responsible for the harm you have suffered.
Reach Out to a Dedicated New York Truck Accident Lawyer for Assistance With a Hudson Valley Truck Defect Claim
For a free consultation on your possible large truck accident claim, call the seasoned truck accident attorneys at the New York personal injury law firm Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP, in Kingston at 845-331-4100 or in Marlboro at 845-236-4411.
