One of the most common reasons for tractor-trailer and big rig accidents in East Tennessee is truck maintenance issues. If you are injured in a crash, Maryville truck accident lawyer Mark Hartsoe is ready to help you seek damages. We have an accident reconstruction team on 24-hour standby that we can send out to the crash scene to determine whether truck maintenance issues caused it. It is important to consult Mark Hartsoe before you answer any questions from a truck driver or trucking company's insurance adjustor.
Truck Maintenance IssuesPoor maintenance is one common cause for a commercial vehicle accident. All big rigs, tractor-trailers, and other trucks need to meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration standards as well as Tennessee legal requirements before being taken out onto the road. Among other things, trucks need to be inspected before a trip to make sure that the cab and trailer are appropriately attached. They should also be inspected after a trip to ensure that the truck parts are still intact and working well.
Unfortunately, our economy is so heavily dependent on large trucks that they are on the road for many miles and hours, and therefore they experience a lot of wear and tear. If a trucking company and its driver do not routinely check trucks for problems or repair parts that may be worn, the consequences may be devastating. Items on a truck that need routine checks include the braking system, the tires, the steering, the engine, the lighting system, the electrical system, and hydraulic lines. On interstate highways, the Federal Department of Transportation sets up roadside checkpoints to make sure that companies and their drivers are compliant.
When a maintenance problem is a cause of a truck accident, both the driver and the trucking company may be liable for negligence. You will need to show that the defendant failed to act reasonably under the circumstances and that this failure was the cause of the accident. If either the driver or the trucking company fails to check the brakes according to the required maintenance schedule, and the brakes have worn down, resulting in an accident, the failure to check the brakes will likely be viewed as a negligent act. Sometimes the party that loaded the truck may also bear some responsibility for an accident caused by truck maintenance problems.
There are instances in which some component of the truck fails to meet federal standards, even if it has been through routine maintenance. A truck must possess a specific braking force based on its weight, decelerate after going 20 mph at a rate particular to its size, and abide by automatic brake adjustment system mandates. When proper maintenance has been conducted on a truck, but the manufacturer has failed to design proper brakes, or a manufacturing defect has occurred, you may have grounds to sue the manufacturer under the Tennessee Product Liability Act.
Seek Guidance from Maryville Lawyer Mark Hartsoe After a Truck AccidentTruck maintenance issues may wreak havoc on the road. Maryville truck accident attorney Mark Hartsoe can evaluate the facts of your case and represent you in a claim. Call the Hartsoe Law Firm at 865-804-1011 or contact us via our online form to arrange a free consultation. Mark Hartsoe assists people who need a motor vehicle collision lawyer throughout East Tennessee, including in Blount, Knox, Monroe, Loudon, Jefferson, Grainger, Cocke, Campbell, Hamblen, Greene, Anderson, Cumberland, and Fentress Counties.