Truck Accidents Due to Negligent Maintenance in NC

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Negligent maintenance is a critical factor in 10% of truck accidents. Failing to address maintenance can result in injury and property damage.

If you’re hurt in a truck accident, negligent maintenance may be to blame. The trucking company could be at fault for the accident, and you may be entitled to compensation.

Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys discuss truck accidents due to negligent maintenance in NC.

Can You Get Compensation for a Truck Accident Due to Negligent Maintenance?

Yes. Negligent maintenance may make a trucking company or other responsible party liable for compensation because of an accident.

Negligence is a lack of reasonable care. Sometimes, negligence happens on the road, such as speeding or tailgating another vehicle.

However, negligence can also occur before operating the vehicle, such as failing to perform maintenance on the truck. It may also mean failing to stop and address maintenance issues when there are signs of a problem.

How Negligent Maintenance Leads to Accidents

Negligent maintenance may:

  • Result in a loss of steering
  • Cause brake failure
  • Lead to a tire blowout or other structural damage
  • Make a vehicle behave unpredictably
  • Lead to overcompensation
  • Prevent signaling to other motorists
  • Make a driver overly cautious

When maintenance is not addressed, a vehicle may have a sudden failure and become uncontrollable. There may be subtle ways the vehicle does not react in a normal way, leading to operational errors. Broken electrical components may mean that other drivers can’t understand the truck’s signals.

If maintenance is negligent in a way that leads to an accident, it may be grounds for fault, and a victim may bring a claim for compensation.

Common Maintenance Issues in Truck Accidents

Brake wear and failure

Truck brakes endure a lot of wear and tear. They endure friction, heat, and stress. Brake pads can deteriorate, and rotators can thin and warp. Brake lines that are corroded can leak fluid, reducing hydraulic pressure. Preventative maintenance should include inspection, lubrication of components, and fluid checks. A brake flush may be appropriate to remove debris.

Tire blowouts

Semi-truck tires can fail from carrying heavy loads, including through regular wear and tear and extraordinary pressure from an uneven load or difficult terrain. Maintenance can identify risk factors for a tire blowout, such as axle alignment issues, poor balancing, and faulty valve stems. Failing to replace worn tires can increase the risk of a tire blowout.

Electrical issues

Trucks can have a variety of electrical issues, like blown fuses to prevent electrical overload, dead batteries, alternator problems, and corroded electrical connections. Electrical issues can lead to malfunctions and system failures. Broken lights are also an electrical issue.

Malfunctioning indicator lights can lead to miscommunication with other travelers.

Engine issues

Engine issues may include overheating, leaking oil, motor and ignition problems, and loss of engine power. Maintenance issues may increase wear and tear on engine components. Overheating can lead to more severe damage if not addressed. Addressing the root cause of a semi-truck engine issue can prevent more serious harm.

Clutch failures

The clutch transfers power from the engine to the transmission. An issue with the clutch may be called a slipping or dragging clutch. The clutch doesn’t fully engage, or it may fail to disengage completely. The result may mean poor acceleration, unusual feel of the truck, or difficulty shifting gears.

Fuel system issues

Fuel system issues may result from damaged components, including the fuel injector or injector pump. Contaminated fuel may damage a truck. There may be inefficiencies, leaks, and combustion abnormalities that affect truck performance.

Other maintenance problems

Trucks have a tractor unit, trailer, and wheels and include many parts. They can weigh 10,000 to 25,000 pounds unloaded. These components can fail due to lack of maintenance. Issues with the suspension, exhaust system, wheel components, cooling system, or other parts can result in an accident, endangering safety.

Liability for Negligent Maintenance in NC Truck Accidents

  • Trucking companies have a high duty of care for the safety of others. They must use reasonable care in how they conduct their operations.
  • Adequate maintenance includes periodic vehicle checks plus addressing concerns as they arise.
  • Maintenance as an underlying cause or contributing factor may not be immediately apparent when an accident occurs. You may need to investigate.
  • North Carolina uses a system of pure contributory negligence. The injured party may not have contributed to the accident in any way.
  • Negligent maintenance may be the sole cause, but the trucking company or other liable party may be responsible for multiple acts of negligence that make them liable for the accident.

Evidence Needed To Prove Negligent Maintenance

Evidence to prove negligent maintenance may include:

  • Inspection of the truck, parts inspections
  • Accident reconstruction
  • Maintenance records
  • Inspection logs
  • Statements of the driver
  • Statement of other trucking company employees

Proving a claim for negligent maintenance can take significant case preparation. You may need to inspect the truck. Discovery proceedings may allow you to secure maintenance records. Accident reconstruction can help explain the maintenance failure and how it caused the accident. Your attorney can undertake these important steps to prepare your case.

Types of Injuries Associated with Maintenance-Related Accidents

Maintenance-related accidents can cause:

  • Blunt force trauma
  • Spinal cord damage, paralysis
  • Broken bones
  • Cuts and bruises
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Burns and disfigurement
  • Mental health injury
  • Wrongful death

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Negligent Maintenance Case?

Compensation that you can recover in a negligent maintenance case includes both economic and non-economic damages. You may seek financial losses like medical bills, vehicle damage, and lost wages. Economic damages may be projected to occur in the future. Compensation may include pain and suffering and emotional anguish.

Contact an Experienced Gastonia Truck Accident Lawyer

If you have been in a truck accident, we are genuinely sorry. Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys are here to make sure that you don’t suffer financially. If a truck accident may be because of negligent maintenance in NC, it may qualify you to receive compensation. Our attorneys can pursue the compensation you deserve.

Call or message us now.

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