Tucson Mechanical Defect or Malfunction Truck Accident Lawyers

With an 18-wheeler, it is important that all parts of the vehicle are in sound working condition and regularly maintained. If they are not, serious accidents can be caused by any of the following issues:

• Tire defects – Because of their heavy use, tires on 18-wheelers can wear out quickly and therefore require regular maintenance. If tires are too worn, underinflated, unbalanced, or incorrectly weighed, mounted, or installed, then a driver is more likely to lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
• Brake malfunction – Another vehicle part that sustains regular use, brakes remain the most important deterrent to dangerous accidents. Defective brake pads, lines, pedals, or cylinders can cause brake failure and endanger drivers on the road.
• Insufficient underride protection – Since commercial trucks are much taller than the average vehicle, trucks must have underride guards to prevent cars from being jammed underneath the front of an 18-wheeler in T-bone and rear collisions. Accidents due to underride malfunctions can be some of the most dangerous to victims.
• Rear guard failure – Similar to underride protection on the front of a truck, rear guards help prevent vehicles from getting stuck underneath the back of an 18-wheeler. Even if these guards are properly installed and maintained, safety tests have unfortunately indicated that rear guards can break when a vehicle hits it at only 35mph.
• Headlight, tail light, or sidelight outage – One of the most preventable and easily observed malfunctions with commercial trucks is a light outage. Properly-functioning lights are crucial to safe truck driving.
• Steering malfunction – Any malfunction of a truck’s power steering pump, tire rods, hydraulic lines, or suspension system could either cause an accident or hinder a truck driver’s ability to avoid one.
• Engine defect – A malfunctioning engine or transmission could cause serious problems, such as the truck stopping suddenly and/or the driver’s loss of control.
• Windshield wipers – If a driver cannot see in rainy or snowy conditions because their windshield wipers are not functioning properly, it could cause them to crash.
• Ignition – A recent case showed that a defective ignition switch can cause a truck to shut down an engine without warning while driving, causing a serious safety risk.

There are many early and identifiable signs that these defects can turn dangerous if not taken care of quickly. With large vehicles that are used throughout most of every day, truck drivers are required to regularly service their trucks and pass inspections. If highway patrol discovers a malfunction, they ticket truck drivers, who are then required to report the needed repairs to their employer. However, since these necessary repairs can take time out of driver routes and schedules, they can sometimes be overlooked. This irresponsible decision can lead to disastrous consequences.

Some of the most serious injuries and deaths on Arizona roads are caused by 18-wheeler accidents. You should not have to suffer after experiencing a serious injury in such an accident, especially when a truck’s mechanical defect was the cause. Medical expenses can quickly pile up for serious injuries after accidents like this, not to mention your emotional suffering and the time off work you may need in order to recover. Seeking compensation in a mechanical defect case will help alleviate your suffering after a serious injury from a truck accident.