Bridgeport Truck Accident Lawyers for Improper Maintenance

Attorneys Assisting With Truck Accidents Caused by Equipment Failures and Maintenance Issues in Bridgeport, CT

Commercial trucks can travel hundreds of thousands of miles while carrying heavy loads, operating in different weather conditions, and spending long hours on the road. This constant use takes a toll on every component of a truck, from the engine and transmission to the brakes, tires, and steering system. Regular maintenance is not optional. It is a legal requirement, and it is necessary to protect the safety of truck drivers, other motorists, and everyone who shares the roads.

When trucking companies neglect to perform maintenance in order to save money or meet tight delivery schedules, they gamble with public safety. A truck with worn brakes, bald tires, or failing steering components is an accident waiting to happen. The consequences of these maintenance failures can be catastrophic, since they can lead to truck accidents that may result in serious injuries, permanent disabilities, or wrongful death.

Victims of truck accidents caused by maintenance failures may feel like they are facing an uphill battle. They may need to take steps to prove that a mechanical failure occurred and that the failure resulted from negligent maintenance practices. This will require a thorough investigation, detailed documentation, and an understanding of federal trucking regulations and mechanical systems. At Tremont Sheldon P.C., our lawyers have the knowledge and skills needed to uncover evidence of improper maintenance and hold trucking companies or other parties liable for truck accidents.

The Critical Importance of Proper Truck Maintenance

Commercial trucks contain many complex systems that must work together reliably. When one component fails, it can trigger a chain reaction that can lead to a catastrophic accident. A small brake adjustment that gets skipped during routine maintenance can eventually lead to complete brake failure. A tire with insufficient tread that should have been replaced can blow out on the highway. A loose steering component that should have been tightened during an inspection can suddenly fail, leaving the driver unable to control the vehicle.

Trucking companies are required to inspect vehicles regularly, maintain detailed records of all maintenance and repairs, and ensure that drivers conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections. These requirements create a paper trail that can be invaluable in determining whether maintenance negligence contributed to an accident.

Common Maintenance Failures That Can Cause Truck Accidents

Our attorneys understand which components are most likely to fail due to poor maintenance. We can take steps to establish the link between maintenance failures and truck accidents. We can help determine whether an accident was caused by issues such as:

• Brake System Failures: Commercial truck braking systems are complex, and they may include air brakes, brake drums or rotors, brake pads or shoes, brake lines, and multiple types of valves and regulators. Brake pads can wear down with use, and they must be replaced before they become too thin. Air brake systems will need to be adjusted to maintain the correct pressure. Brake drums can develop cracks or become warped. When any of these components fail, the truck may be unable to slow or stop effectively, leading to devastating rear-end collisions or accidents at intersections.
• Tire Problems: A truck's tires must have adequate tread depth to maintain traction, especially in wet conditions. Underinflated or overinflated tires can wear unevenly, and they will be more prone to blowouts. Tires with cuts, bulges, or other damage should be removed from service immediately. When trucking companies run tires beyond their safe lifetimes or fail to maintain proper inflation, sudden tire failures can occur, and a truck driver may lose control.
• Steering System Failures: Power steering systems can develop leaks in hoses or seals, leading to loss of power. Steering linkages can become loose or worn, creating excessive play in the steering wheel. Ball joints and tie rod ends can wear out over time, and they must be replaced when necessary. When steering components fail, the truck may suddenly veer off course, drift across lanes, or become impossible to turn.
• Lighting and Electrical System Problems: Headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals must function properly so other drivers can see a truck and anticipate its movements. When lights fail, other motorists may be unable to see a truck clearly, or they may not realize when a truck is braking or turning.
• Suspension System Failures: Springs, shock absorbers, and other suspension components will absorb impacts and help maintain contact between tires and the surface of the road. Worn suspension components may lead to excessive movement or bouncing, making a truck harder to control. Broken springs or shock absorbers can cause a truck to lean dangerously or bottom out, potentially causing a loss of control or damaging tires.
• Engine and Transmission Problems: While an engine failure may not directly cause a collision, a truck that stalls in a lane or on a highway shoulder can create hazards for other traffic. Transmission problems can cause unexpected lurching or difficulty maintaining speed on hills.
• Coupling and Hitch Failures: The coupling that connects a semi-trailer to a truck's cab must be properly lubricated and maintained. Safety chains and electrical connections must be maintained. When these components fail, a trailer can detach, jackknife, or fall onto the road.
• Windshield Wiper and Defrosting Systems: Worn wiper blades, cracked windshields, or malfunctioning defrosting systems can make it difficult for a truck driver to see clearly during rain, snow, or fog. The weather conditions in Connecticut make these systems particularly important, and failure to maintain them may be considered negligence.

How Our Attorneys Investigate Maintenance-Related Accidents

Proving that inadequate maintenance caused a truck accident will require a detailed investigation and an analysis of multiple sources of evidence. A physical examination of the vehicle by qualified mechanics can reveal the condition of brake components, tires, steering parts, and other systems. Measurements of brake pad thickness, tire tread depth, and component wear provide objective evidence of improper maintenance.

Federal regulations require trucking companies to maintain detailed maintenance records. These records must document all inspections, repairs, and maintenance performed on a vehicle. Our legal team will take steps to obtain these records through discovery, and we will analyze them carefully. We will look for patterns of delayed maintenance, skipped inspections, or repairs that were recommended but never completed. Gaps in maintenance records can be just as telling as the records themselves, suggesting that required maintenance was not performed.

Driver vehicle inspection reports can provide daily snapshots of a vehicle's condition. Our lawyers will review these reports to determine whether a driver reported maintenance issues before an accident and whether a company addressed those concerns. If a driver reported brake problems, tire issues, or other defects days or weeks before the accident, and the company failed to make repairs, this may demonstrate negligence.

Maintenance facility records from shops that serviced a truck may reveal what work was actually performed versus what was documented. Invoices, work orders, and parts receipts can help verify whether maintenance was truly completed as claimed in company records.

Electronic data from a truck's computer systems can provide information about warning lights, error codes, and system malfunctions that occurred before an accident. This data may show that a truck was experiencing problems that should have prompted maintenance, but these issues were ignored.

Identifying Liable Parties in Maintenance Failure Cases

Multiple parties may bear responsibility for maintenance-related truck accidents. Our attorneys can pursue claims against the negligent parties and take steps to secure full compensation for a victim's injuries.

Trucking companies are responsible for maintaining the vehicles in their fleets. They must establish maintenance programs, ensure that inspections are performed, make necessary repairs promptly, and keep vehicles in safe operating condition. When they fail in these duties, they may be held liable for accidents that occur as a result.

Maintenance companies and repair shops may be held liable if they performed substandard work or failed to identify and repair safety issues. If a shop certified that brakes were properly adjusted when they were not, or if mechanics failed to notice worn components that should have been replaced, the shop may share responsibility for a truck accident.

Truck drivers are required to perform daily inspections and report defects. While drivers are often employees following company policies, they can share liability if they knowingly operated vehicles with serious defects or falsified inspection reports.

Parts manufacturers may be liable if defective components contributed to a truck accident. Our lawyers can perform investigations to determine whether parts were defectively designed or manufactured.

Contact Our Bridgeport, Connecticut Truck Maintenance Accident Attorneys

Truck accidents caused by maintenance failures should be completely preventable. When trucking companies put profits ahead of safety by cutting corners on maintenance, they may be held accountable for the harm they have caused. At Tremont Sheldon P.C., our team understands the complex technical and legal issues involved in maintenance-related truck accident cases. We know how to obtain and analyze maintenance records, work with mechanical professionals to prove causation, and pursue claims against all responsible parties.

The physical injuries from truck accidents can be severe and life-changing. Medical treatment can be expensive, and recovery can take time. Lost wages can create financial pressure precisely when expenses are highest. Our law firm provides compassionate representation focused on achieving results for clients. We will fight to secure compensation that addresses all of your damages, including future medical needs and other long-term effects of your injuries. Contact our Bridgeport maintenance-related truck accident lawyers at 203-335-5145 to arrange a free consultation.