Proper truck maintenance is crucial in ensuring that commercial trucks are road-worthy and safe for interstate or Florida travel. Unfortunately, each year Miami truck accidents are caused by incorrectly maintained trucks, and in these cases multiple parties can be liable since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and other governing bodies maintain that both truck drivers and the companies that hire the drivers or own the trucks are responsible for truck maintenance. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers are responsible for inspecting a number of things at the start and end of each working day, including:
-Tires (including tread and tire inflation) and rims
-All brakes, including parking brakes, front brakes, and rear brakes
-Reflectors and lights
-Horn
-All truck mirrors, including rear-view and side mirrors
-Windshield wipers and fluid
-Emergency gear
-Coupling devices
Drivers must carefully record their inspections in a daily log and these inspections must be available to the company that hired the driver. In addition, the company that hired the driver must conduct full truck inspections, following the FMSCA guidelines, before a truck is declared safe to travel across state lines. The details and reports of these inspections must also be kept.
Since inspections can be time-consuming and costly, there have been cases where drivers and truck companies have not followed the guidelines for inspections or have failed to fix problems found during inspections. In some cases, drivers and companies have even forged documents and records to cover up poor inspection practices. When this occurs, Miami car accidents involving trucks become more likely, since incorrectly maintained trucks do not respond as they should increasing the risk of collisions.
If you have been in a Miami traffic accident caused by poor inspection practices, it is important to consult with a qualified Miami personal injury attorney in order to hold those responsible accountable for their negligence. A good attorney can investigate the cause of the accident and can keep your best interests in mind while pursuing your case to the full extent of the law. If someone’s negligence has caused your injuries, you may be able to recover the costs of medical treatment, lost income, and other expenses related to your injuries.
In a Miami truck accident, there are often multiple liable parties. This can actually improve your chances of collecting fair compensation for your injuries, so that you do not need to pay the often high cost of medical care and lost income out of your own pocket.
Do you need to speak with a professional Miami personal injury attorney? If so, contact the Flaxman Law Group today to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your case. The legal team at the Flaxman Law Group has helped thousands of South Florida personal injury victims over the years. As a full-service firm, the Flaxman Law Group has a variety of resources to help you every step of the way as you try to get back on your feet after your injury.