Because we all share the road, commercial trucks – as large and as imposing as they are – represent an obvious potential danger to other vehicles. In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation1 finds that the number of injury-causing crashes involving big rigs has steadily increased since 2009. Because of their massive size, semi trucks are apt to cause the deadliest and most destructive wrecks.
Critical Maintenance of Commercial Trucks
Commercial trucks, like all motor vehicles, are made up of thousands of moving parts, all of which have the potential to malfunction and cause damage to other vehicles on the road. There are several parts that are most likely to fail and are, therefore, most likely to cause a semi-truck accident:
Tires are every vehicle’s only connection with the road and are thus crucial for maintaining safe driving. A defective tire can lead to a driver’s inability to control the commercial truck, creating a significant safety hazard.
Brakes are critical to safe driving and the braking systems in commercial trucks are exceptionally complicated and require consistent and significant maintenance.
Coupling devices connect semi trucks’ trailers and cabs, and any malfunction represents a potentially catastrophic safety hazard; proper maintenance and inspection are essential to road safety.
All of these maintenance concerns can lead to perilous driving conditions and potentially catastrophic accidents.
Commercial Trucks and Safety Responsibility
The responsibility for maintaining a commercial truck in roadworthy condition falls not only to the truck’s driver but also to several other contributors:
- The trucking company;
- The truck’s manufacturer;
- The manufacture of the truck’s parts; and
- The truck’s mechanic.
Although commercial truck drivers and trucking companies are responsible for regular maintenance and inspection of the rig, other actors can also be implicated in accidents that occur due to a semi truck’s mechanical failure. If you or someone you care about has been involved in a Texas semi-truck collision that was caused by mechanical failure, it’s important that you act quickly.
Contact an Experienced Houston Commercial-Truck Crash Lawyer Today
If you’ve been involved in a semi truck collision caused by mechanical failure, you know how devastating the experience can be. You do not have to deal with this alone – help is available. Do not fail to discuss your case with an experienced Houston lawyer who has expertise in big rig wrecks. The experienced team at the law firm of Stewart J. Guss will determine liability in your case and will fight for the compensation that your case merits.
We understand the intricacies of this complicated process because we’ve been doing it for over 20 years. We will thoroughly investigate your case, work with the insurance company to obtain your rightful compensation, and when necessary, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf. If you or your loved one has been involved in a commercial truck collision, don’t hesitate to give the team at Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at law call at 281-816-3452. Your consultation is free, and you never pay anything until we obtain the settlement that you deserve.
1https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/LTCF2015%20Early%20Release.pdf
