Truck equipment failure can be a major cause of truck accidents, leading to catastrophic consequences. Some of the most common equipment failures that can result in accidents include brakes, tires and wheels, steering, and trailer attachments. According to the FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study, degraded equipment was found to be the most frequent mechanical failure in truck crashes across the nation. It is crucial for trucking companies to properly maintain and repair these essential safety components to ensure the safe operation of trucks on the road. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, contact Joel A. Gordon and Associates, an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer who has experience in accidents caused by truck equipment failure, and other factors, will assist you in your journey forward.
Truck Equipment Failure is Dangerous
Truck equipment failure can indeed be extremely dangerous. When crucial components like brakes, tires and wheels, steering systems, or trailer attachments fail, it can lead to serious accidents with severe consequences.
Truck equipment failure can be a significant cause of truck accidents. Some of the most common equipment failures that can lead to truck accidents include:
- Brakes: Brake failure can occur due to worn-out brake pads, malfunctioning brake lines, or inadequate maintenance. This can result in longer stopping distances or complete brake failure, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Tires and Wheels: Tire blowouts or tread separation can cause the driver to lose control of the truck, leading to accidents. Improper tire maintenance, including underinflation or overloading, can also contribute to tire failure.
- Steering: Faulty steering systems can result in the driver’s inability to steer the truck properly, leading to loss of control and accidents. Steering system failures can be caused by worn-out components, inadequate maintenance, or manufacturing defects.
- Trailer Attachments: Inadequate or faulty trailer attachments, such as fifth wheels or hitch couplings, can cause the trailer to detach from the truck during operation. This can lead to jackknifing, rollovers, or collisions with other vehicles.
- Cargo shift: Cargo shift occurs when the cargo in a truck is not properly secured and moves around during transit. This can cause the truck to become unbalanced and lose control.
- Overloaded truck: An overloaded truck is a truck that is carrying more weight than it is designed to carry. This can cause the truck’s brakes and other components to fail, which can lead to a serious accident.
- Lighting and Visibility Issues: Equipment failures related to lights, turn signals, or reflective markings can reduce a truck’s visibility, increasing the risk of accidents, especially during nighttime or adverse weather conditions.
It is crucial for trucking companies and truck drivers to regularly inspect and maintain their equipment to prevent such failures and ensure the safety of everyone on the road.
Houston Truck Equipment Failure Accident Lawyer
Types of Accidents Due to Truck Equipment Failure
Accidents resulting from truck equipment failure can vary in severity, but some of the most common types include:
- Rear-end collisions: Brake failure or faulty braking systems can lead to longer stopping distances or complete brake failure, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions with other vehicles.
- Rollover accidents: Tire blowouts or tread separation can cause the driver to lose control of the truck, leading to a rollover accident. These accidents can be particularly dangerous and result in serious injuries or fatalities.
- Collisions during turns: Faulty steering systems can impair the driver’s ability to maneuver safely, increasing the chances of a collision, especially during turns. This can be particularly dangerous in intersections or narrow roads.
- Trailer detachment incidents: Inadequate or faulty trailer attachments can cause the trailer to detach from the truck while in motion. This creates a hazardous situation on the road, potentially leading to accidents involving other vehicles.
Truck equipment failure can have deadly consequences for both the truck driver and other motorists on the road. If you are involved in a truck accident, it is important to seek legal advice to determine your rights and options.
Common Types of Compensation Available in Houston Equipment Failure Truck Accidents
In Houston, victims of truck equipment failure accidents may be eligible for various types of compensation to cover their losses and damages. These types of compensation typically include:
- Medical Expenses: Compensation for all medical costs related to injuries sustained in the accident, including hospital bills, surgeries, doctor visits, medication, rehabilitation, and future medical expenses.
- Lost Wages: Reimbursement for income lost due to injuries, including past and future earnings, as well as potential reductions in earning capacity caused by permanent injuries.
- Property Damage: Compensation for the repair or replacement of damaged property, including the victim’s vehicle, personal belongings, and other assets affected by the accident.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages awarded for physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological suffering experienced as a result of the accident and injuries.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the impact the injuries have on the victim’s relationship with their spouse or family members, including loss of companionship, support, and intimacy.
- Wrongful Death Damages: If the accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may be eligible for compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or willful misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future.
- Legal Fees: In some cases, the injured party’s legal fees may be covered as part of the compensation, ensuring that they don’t have to bear the financial burden of pursuing their claim.
To determine the full extent of compensation available in a truck equipment failure accident, it’s advisable to consult with an experienced truck accident attorney in Houston. They can assess the unique details of the case and help victims pursue the appropriate compensation for their losses.
Why You Should Consult with Our Houston Truck Accident Attorney
Our Houston truck accident lawyer can help you in a number of ways in an equipment failure truck accident claim, including:
- Identify all of your damages: Truck accident victims often have a variety of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Our truck accident lawyer can help you identify all of your damages and ensure that you are compensated for all of your losses.
- Account for future damages: Truck accident injuries can have a long-term impact on your life. You may need ongoing medical care or physical therapy. You may also lose income in the future if you are unable to work or work full-time. Our truck accident lawyer can help you account for future damages and ensure that you are compensated for all of your losses.
- Negotiate with the insurance company: Truck insurance companies are often reluctant to pay out large settlements. Our truck accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and fight for the highest possible settlement.
- File a lawsuit: If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, our truck accident lawyer may file a lawsuit on your behalf. This will allow you to take your case to court and seek a judgment from a jury.
Joel A. Gordon & Associates, a Houston law company, has successfully defended a number of clients in a position similar to yours, and we are ready to support your claims and ensure that you obtain a sizable settlement for your severe losses. We have the advantage when it comes to defending your rights because of our in-depth understanding of the insurance industry’s tactics for depriving you of your just damages. To obtain what you deserve, our truck accident attorneys employ the most aggressive legal strategies.