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Poorly Maintained Trucks: A Risk on Our Roads

 Posted on December 02, 2016 in Personal Injury

truck accidents in illinois, wheaton personal injury lawyerHealth professionals recommend annual physicals for all individuals as a means to check and see if there are any issues which need addressing. The same is recommended for personal vehicles. To ensure safe transportation, all vehicles should be maintained regularly. When it comes to commerce, several modes of transportation traverse our roads and highways, and we expect them all to be roadworthy. Whether it be school buses to large tractor trailers, we all want to feel safe on the road.

Unfortunately, the vehicles that can cause the most devastating accidents are massive tractor trailers. Their sizes alone can cause irreparable damage when involved in an accident. In 2014, 3,744 fatal crashes involved a large truck, and the number of large trucks involved in injury crashes increased by 21 percent, from 73,000 to 88,000. Therefore, what would you say if you discovered that the reason a truck caused catastrophic injury in your particular case was because it was not maintained and was a ticking time bomb to cause harm?

If you were involved in an accident with a truck and suspect the cause to be improper maintenance, you may have a viable legal avenue to pursue. Involving an experienced personal injury attorney will enable you to weigh up your options which could lead to significant compensation for the injuries you suffered.

Federal Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in partnership with the State of Illinois, has an extensive policy regarding the requirements for safe transportation on our roads. Typically, in the interests of the bottom line and money over safety, these mandates are often ignored and, in the eyes of the law, violated.

Four of the expectations that are commonly violated include the following:

  • Driver fatigue, which can lead to accidents caused by rest periods not being obeyed;
  • A driver is under the influence of drugs and alcohol;
  • The load on the truck is overweight; or
  • A vehicle is poorly maintained.

Usually, the reason for these incidents occurring is the interests of profits over common sense and safety. What is not taken seriously, is the severe impact any one of these conditions could have on innocent lives. Regular inspections are a legal requirement, and if violated will lead to not only punishment by government bodies, but serious injuries to innocent lives.

While pinpointing how poor maintenance can then lead to equipment failure may seem difficult, retaining the services of a personal injury attorney who is experienced with these types of cases is recommended. An experienced attorney will know to make thorough investigations of the accident scene, maintenance records, and other important information to determine which parties are responsible.

Careless shortcuts on large tractor trailers can lead to a myriad of equipment failures which can mean dire consequences on the road. Examples of negligent care resulting in serious failures might include:

  • Brake failure;
  • Faulty interior engine parts;
  • Tire pressure issues leading to a risk of a blowout;
  • Impaired visibility due to faulty mirrors, wipers or windows; and
  • Reduced steering capability.

Experienced Legal Help in Illinois

A concerted commitment is what you expect and deserve from your legal counsel. Based in DuPage County, the Law Offices of David W. Clark is a firm you can trust to serve your needs. Going forward with a case where you have been injured in an accident involving a truck, means you may go up against a business, possibly a large corporate trucking company with significant resources. This is where is it so important that you have experienced Wheaton truck accident attorneys on your side. Call 630-665-5678 today.

Sources:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2014

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/safety/vehicle-inspections

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