There is no doubt that trucking and car accidents in Homestead and across the country are a serious concern for every American. In 2012 alone, traffic collisions killed 33,561 people across the country. Motor vehicle accidents are among the top causes of death for all age groups and are the leading cause of fatalities for those under the age of 34, according to government statistics.
Trucking accidents in Homestead and other communities can be especially deadly, because of the size of big rigs, 18-wheelers, and other commercial trucks. Many trucking accidents are caused by motorist negligence, but a number are also caused by poor truck maintenance.
Both truck drivers and motor carriers are expected to take proper care of their vehicles. Truck drivers are responsible for day-to-day maintenance of their vehicles, including checking tire pressure and reporting any problems that require the services of a mechanic. Motor carriers are expected to maintain their fleets, replace trucks as they become unsafe, and take care to provide the proper level of maintenance for each of their vehicles.
Unfortunately, there are many things that can go wrong that can prevent trucks from getting proper maintenance:
•Truck drivers may not check tire pressure, brakes, and other systems before every trip, leading to excessive wear and tear, as well as mechanical failure
•Motor carriers may try to reduce costs by cutting back on the amount of maintenance on their vehicles
•Motor carriers may be negligent and may hide maintenance problems or delay maintenance in order to save money
•The companies or professionals tasked with fixing vehicles may be negligent in evaluating and properly fixing truck systems
When trucks are incorrectly maintained, mechanical failure in Homestead and other communities can occur, causing trucks to possibly careen out of control. Incorrectly maintained brakes may fail, tire blowouts in Homestead and other communities can occur if tires are not correctly kept properly inflated, and other systems may fail as well, causing severe injury and serious crashes.
Unfortunately, if you’ve been injured in this type of car accident caused by mechanical failure or poor maintenance, it can be difficult to prove that the truck was not correctly maintained. The incident may simply be blamed on bad luck or on an unfortunate accident. It often takes working with a good personal injury attorney in order to evaluate the maintenance schedule of a truck as well as any prior known problems with the vehicle.
It is especially important to consult with a personal injury attorney if you’ve been injured by a rental truck or by a commercial truck. Unfortunately, a number of investigative reporters over the past few years have shown that rental truck companies do not always perform the maintenance necessary on their fleets, and each year Americans are seriously injured or even killed due to this negligence. In addition, commercial truck accidents often require the help of an attorney because these cases are complex and often involve multiple defendants who are protected by powerful attorneys. A good personal injury attorney in this case can protect your interests.
If you would like to learn more about what can be done in your case, contact Flaxman Law Group today to arrange for a free, confidential consultation.