Large trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when they’re fully loaded with cargo, which means they often do serious damage when they collide with other vehicles. If you’ve been hurt in an accident with a large commercial truck, you could be facing overwhelming medical costs, and as a result, you might be wondering who is responsible for compensating you.
While you might think that the truck driver or the trucking company is to blame for the accident, that isn’t always the case. If faulty truck parts led to the accident, the truck manufacturer, or the manufacturer of the defective parts, could potentially be on the hook for your losses.
Truck accidents are complex, and you will need the help of an experienced Duluth truck accident lawyer to help you determine liability. If you were injured in a truck accident, contact Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC right away to discuss your case during a free, no-risk consultation.
When Are Truck Parts Considered Faulty?
Commercial trucks and truck parts can be considered defective for a variety of reasons. There are three distinct categories of faulty parts:
- Design defects – Some truck parts are defective due to a faulty design. Design defects occur before a truck part is manufactured. If a part is poorly designed, it could be inherently dangerous even if it is manufactured according to the proper specifications.
- Manufacturing defects – Manufacturing defects occur during the manufacturing process. Even if a truck part is properly designed, it could be hazardous and contribute to truck accidents if the truck part manufacturer is negligent.
- Faulty marketing – Faulty marketing is a type of defect that occurs when a truck part is dangerous to use, but the manufacturer fails to provide trucking companies with sufficient warning.
If you’re involved in a truck accident and a faulty truck part is to blame, you must be able to establish that the defect directly contributed to the crash and your resulting injuries in order to receive compensation.
Types of Defects that Could Lead to a Truck Crash
There are numerous types of defective truck parts that could potentially cause an accident, including:
- Faulty brakes – Due to their massive size and weight, tractor-trailers must have a robust, functioning brake system. Most tractor-trailers have two brake systems, one for the cab and another for the trailer. If either brake system is compromised or fails, the truck driver may not have sufficient time to slow down or stop upon encountering a road hazard.
- Tire issues – Trucking companies are obligated to ensure that each of their trucks has functioning tires and that these tires are kept at the appropriate PSI. The trucking company is also responsible for adjusting a truck’s tire pressure after goods have been loaded into the truck’s trailer and must replace tires that have worn down. However, proper maintenance is worthless if a truck’s tires are faulty from the get-go. If truck tire manufacturers are negligent during the design or manufacturing process, then the tire may fail, leading to a blowout.
- Defective steering – If the truck’s steering mechanism malfunctions due to a design or manufacturing flaw, the driver may not be able to properly maneuver the vehicle. If any part of the steering system is faulty – including the wheel itself, gears, joints, rods, and power-steering components – the truck may be more difficult to control.
- Fuel tank problems – Fuel tank issues can lead to dangerous explosions even when a commercial truck is not in transit. For instance, if a truck’s fuel tank is placed in an improper location, or the fuel pump does not function as it should, the truck could be dangerous to operate.
When truck accidents are caused by defective parts, the manufacturer may be at-fault for any losses suffered by the victims.
Proving that the Parts Manufacturer Is Liable for the Crash
It can be challenging to prove that a vehicle or parts manufacturer is liable for a truck crash, which is why it’s crucial to hire legal representation. Your attorney may consult with accident reconstruction experts and other specialists to find out how the accident occurred. They will also collect a range of critical evidence to establish fault for the collision.
If an investigation reveals that the truck or faulty part manufacturer knew or should have been aware that the vehicle or its parts were defective, an attorney can help you hold them responsible for any losses you suffered, including medical costs required to treat your injuries, pain and suffering you endured, and property damage caused by the accident. While many personal injury cases settle during the insurance claims process, your attorney can also represent you in court if the manufacturer fails to take responsibility for their negligence.
When the Trucking Company Might Be Liable for an Accident Caused by Defective Parts
While truck parts manufacturers can be held liable for accidents that occur due to poorly manufactured or designed parts, trucking companies are still responsible for properly maintaining and replacing parts when needed. If a trucking company fails to conduct regular maintenance and inspections and one of its vehicles causes an accident, then the trucking company could be liable for losses related to the crash.
If you were harmed in a truck accident, a reputable truck accident lawyer has the resources to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the crash, determine the cause of the accident, and identify all possible sources of compensation.
Contact a Duluth Truck Accident Attorney
Were you hurt in a Duluth truck accident? If so, contact Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC to get started with your claim. Without the help of an experienced Duluth truck accident attorney, it will be incredibly difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the crash. We can thoroughly assess the crash, identify the liable party or parties, and help you build a strong case for compensation.
