The safe operation of a commercial truck depends on ongoing vehicle maintenance. When these vehicles are not maintained to the proper standards, malfunctions can occur that quickly cause serious accidents.
If you were recently injured in a truck accident, exploring how the accident happened can help you pinpoint all potentially liable parties. For legal representation, consult a truck accident lawyer in New York today.
How Truck Accidents Arise Due to Vehicle Maintenance Issues
Large truck accidents are unfortunately the cause of many serious injuries and fatalities arising from motor vehicle collisions. In New York State, approximately 126 large truck fatalities occurred in 2022. There were approximately 4,061 total large truck personal injury crashes across the state that year, and roughly 87% of them involved multiple vehicles.
Many truck accidents occur due to unsafe driving maneuvers or traffic law violations. But accidents can also arise from inadequate maintenance, which causes the truck to malfunction and collide with another vehicle.
There are a few ways vehicle maintenance issues can cause serious accidents, including:
- Brake system failures: Maintenance issues like worn brake pads and brakes that are out of adjustment can significantly increase stopping distances, preventing truck drivers from stopping suddenly when necessary and increasing the risk of collisions.
- Steering and suspension defects: Collapsed suspensions and worn steering columns can impact the driver’s ability to stabilize and maneuver the truck, increasing the likelihood of drifting out of their lane or losing control when making sharp turns.
- Tire blowouts: Tires can suddenly blow out when they are under-inflated, damaged, or overworn. A blowout can cause drivers to swerve or lose control of their vehicles, striking vehicles in adjacent lanes.
- Electrical malfunctions: Burnt-out headlights or malfunctioning turn signals can make it challenging for other drivers to see or predict the truck’s actions, especially in low-visibility conditions.
If any of these malfunctions contributed to your accident, consult a truck accident lawyer in New York.
What Could Be Considered Negligent Vehicle Maintenance?
Negligent vehicle maintenance by a trucking company may arise when the company was expected to maintain the truck to reasonable standards but failed to do so, and this failure led to an accident. Negligence might arise when:
- The truck company failed to meet manufacturer standards for maintenance.
- The company installed aftermarket tools that did not meet reasonable safety standards.
- The company allowed an unqualified mechanic to perform shoddy work.
- A maintenance worker left tools in the engine, leading to malfunctions.
- The driver operated the vehicle while actively ignoring dashboard warnings, such as the “check engine” light.
In each of these cases, the driver, trucking company, or maintenance provider knew or reasonably should have known that their action (or inaction) could lead to unsafe vehicle operations, yet they failed to mitigate the issue.
Holding a Trucking Company Liable for Negligent Vehicle Maintenance
If you are thinking of suing a trucking company for poor vehicle maintenance, understand a few key concepts first:
- New York is a “no-fault state,” which means drivers generally file insurance claims through their own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance after suffering injuries in an accident.
- Only cases that meet New York’s serious injury threshold may enable an accident victim to make a claim against the at-fault party.
- If the applicable insurance coverage insufficiently covers your accident expenses, at this point you might explore a truck accident lawsuit with the help of an attorney.
To hold a trucking company liable for vehicle maintenance issues, you would need to collect evidence supporting the negligent maintenance, such as:
- Maintenance records
- Photos or videos of the malfunctioning part
- Police reports detailing how the accident happened
- Aftermarket parts that affected the vehicle’s operation
Speak With Our Trucking Accident Lawyers Today
Can you sue a trucking company for negligent maintenance? If you need help understanding truck accident liability, the Wohlgemuth Law Firm PLLC can represent you while you explore your legal options.
Call 718-474-9100 to request a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are truck companies liable for accidents caused by their drivers?
Yes, truck companies often assume vicarious liability for accidents caused by their drivers.
Can a third party be liable for negligent maintenance in a trucking accident?
Yes, a third-party maintenance provider might be liable for failing to maintain the truck to the necessary standards.
How can you prove a truck accident was caused by negligent maintenance?
You and your truck accident lawyer in New York can collect evidence to demonstrate that a truck accident was caused by negligent maintenance. Evidence might include black box data, photos or videos of the accident, maintenance records, and more.
