Many tractor-trailers and other commercial trucks speeding down the highway throughout the year are unsafe, and truck equipment malfunction causes many truck accidents. Blowouts are sometimes caused by manufacturing issues. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) believes that driver error was the most likely reason in most cases, with drivers pushing truck tires above their speed rating. Even though equipment malfunction in cars and other passenger vehicles is of important concern too, the malfunction in trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles are potentially fatal.

Common Truck Equipment and System Malfunctions

Truck equipment malfunctioning or failure most likely happens with the brakes, suspension, steering, body, doors, hood, trailer attachments, transmission, tires, and wheels In truck accidents, investigations reveal that missing mirrors or a lack of warning lights played a role in the collision, indicating poor truck maintenance. Defective tie-downs can allow cargo to shift, quickly shifting the center of gravity within a truck and causing the driver to lose control or even roll over.

FMCSA Regulations

Accidents involving defective equipment, on the other hand, are avoidable and should not occur. Part 396 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations addresses the inspection, repair, and maintenance of all commercial motor vehicles and intermodal equipment under the control of a trucking company. According to FMCSA rules, every trucking company, its drivers, representatives, and employees involved in the inspection or maintenance of commercial motor vehicles are required to follow the rules.

In Texas for instance, a driver must conduct a vehicle inspection in the presence of a licensing examiner in order to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). According to the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook, the driver must walk around the vehicle, point to each item, and explain to the examiner what is being checked and why. In other words, drivers understand what is expected of them in order for their trucks to be safe to operate on the highway.

Importance of Truck Equipment Inspection

Owners of trucking companies, who invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in each truck they operate, understand what it takes to inspect, maintain, and repair the vehicles in their fleet. Motor carrier managers are also aware that they must ensure that employees who perform hands-on work are properly trained and supervised.

When equipment failure is discovered to be the cause of a truck accident, the investigation begins with the trucker and the trucking company. They are in charge of inspecting the equipment and ensuring that it is in good working order.

In some cases, an equipment manufacturer may be held liable if faulty equipment was designed or manufactured.

A Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help

In the unfortunate event of a truck accident, you may get in touch with a truck accident lawyer. If the accident has been caused by the malfunctioning of the truck or its parts, systems or components, the manufacturer, distributor, or carrier may be held liable for the injuries and losses of accident victims. Your lawyer can conduct thorough investigations into commercial vehicle accidents to determine who is at fault and aggressively pursue maximum compensation.