Green Bay, WI inadequate truck maintenance attorneyTractor-trailer trucks are massive vehicles, dwarfing the passenger cars and trucks that most people use in their daily lives. The size and weight of commercial trucks makes them incredibly dangerous, and those who are involved in a truck accident are likely to be seriously injured or killed. Because of this, truck drivers and trucking companies are required to take steps to protect the safety of the public. However, one way they may fail to do so is by failing to perform proper maintenance on a truck.

The Dangers of Inadequate Maintenance

Semi-trailer trucks should be regularly inspected, and scheduled maintenance should be performed to ensure a truck is operating safely. In addition, truck drivers should inspect their vehicles before and after trips and address any issues they discover. Truck accidents can occur if the following types of maintenance are not performed:

  • Brakes – The air brakes used by semi-trucks are complex and have many parts which can fail if not maintained properly. Brakes should be checked to ensure they are adjusted properly and to discover any issues with parts such as brake shoes or air valves.
  • Tires – If tires are underinflated, this can affect a truck’s weight distribution and cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle. Worn or overinflated tires can cause a blowout, and if this occurs at a high speed, a rollover accident or other type of collision may occur.
  • Suspension – A truck’s shock absorbers and other components of its suspension system can become worn, especially if the truck carries a lot of weight. Suspension system failure can lead to bouncing or shaking that may affect a truck driver’s ability to avoid a collision.
  • Steering – Deterioration of a truck’s steering system can result in a driver losing control of their vehicle and colliding with other cars or trucks.
  • Engines – Leaks in engine fluids such as oil or coolant can cause a truck’s engine to overheat or catch on fire.
  • Trailer couplings – Flaws in the systems used to attach a trailer to a truck can result in a trailer becoming decoupled, which can lead to dangerous collisions.
  • Lighting and electrical – If headlights, taillights, or other lights on a truck or trailer are not working properly, other drivers may be unable to see or react in time to avoid a collision with a truck.

Contact an Appleton, WI Truck Accident Attorney

If you are involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer truck, the injuries and damages you suffer may affect you for years, or even for the rest of your life. When these injuries occur because of a negligent trucking company or driver that did not perform the proper maintenance, they should be held responsible for the harm that was done to you. To learn how our Green Bay personal injury lawyers can help you recover compensation for a truck accident injury, contact our office at 920-730-7366 to arrange a free consultation.

Sources: 

https://www.fueloyal.com/learn-all-about-truck-maintenance/