It isn’t hard to imagine the horrific scene that can occur if a truck’s brakes or tires fail. A trucker may lose control of his vehicle and crash into other nearby motorists or pedestrians with little warning and without reducing speed.
A crash that is caused by a defective truck can be catastrophic, but the truck driver may not be the only one who is at fault or who is responsible for compensating you for your injuries. If you’ve been hurt, our experienced Louisville truck accident injury lawyers encourage you to learn more about these types of accidents and about how to protect your rights.
Trucks Are Required to Have Regular Maintenance
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires trucks that engage in interstate commerce be maintained according to specific regulatory standards. Truckers and trucking companies are required to maintain trucks in good working order by:
- Conducting an inspection and completing a report before and after every trip. Before a truck goes out on the road, for example, systems such as brakes, lights, mirrors, tires, steering mechanisms, and emergency equipment should be checked and tested.
- Keeping complete and accurate records of all maintenance and repairs done on the vehicle. These records may be important in determining liability after a truck wreck.
- Conducting a thorough inspection of the truck every 12 months or more frequently if needed. The results of this inspection should be kept on the truck.
The failure to conduct these inspections, the failure to fix any problems identified in the inspections, or a mistake made during repair of the vehicle could lead to significant accident injuries.
Injuries Caused by Defective Trucks
Your truck accident injuries will depend on how fast your vehicle and the truck were traveling at the time of the collision, the angle at which the truck hit your vehicle, and other factors. Some of the serious injuries you could sustain because of a truck that was not properly maintained include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Amputations
- Burn injuries
- Respiratory illnesses
- Fatal injuries
It is important to see a medical provider immediately after your truck wreck so that an accurate diagnosis can be made and the right treatment plan can be developed to manage your pain and help prevent your injuries from worsening.
How a Truck Injury Lawyer Can Help If You’re Hurt
If you have been hurt in a truck crash, our experienced Kentucky truck accident injury lawyers can investigate what happened to you and hold the right people accountable for your injuries. One or more of the following parties may be liable for your truck accident injuries:
- The truck driver. If the truck driver failed to perform a pre-trip inspection, failed to take care of any maintenance issues identified in the pre-trip inspection, or continued to drive a truck with a defect that was known or should have reasonably been known to the driver, the trucker could be liable for your accident injuries.
- The trucking company. The trucking company has a duty to provide a safe rig for the trucker to use on the road.
- The mechanic or repair company. If a mistake was made during the repair or routine maintenance of the truck that caused the vehicle to malfunction and crash, the mechanic or repair company could be responsible for the crash and your resulting injuries.
The party, or parties, that caused your accident will be responsible for paying your damages. Your financial recovery should include full compensation for your past, current, and future medical expenses, lost income, out-of-pocket costs, physical pain, emotional suffering, and other damages.
To learn more about your rights, our Kentucky truck accident law firm encourages you to call us or to reach out to us via this website at any time—24/7/365. We would be pleased to provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation.
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