After a truck crash, you may know that someone made a mistake, but figuring out who caused it can be hard. The driver or trucking company may not be the only party at fault. If poor repair work or a missed defect played a part in the crash, the company that serviced the truck could also be held responsible.
Here are three situations where this may apply.
Negligent truck repairs
A maintenance company may be liable when poor repair work causes a truck part to fail and leads to a crash. For example, a mechanic might repair the brakes the wrong way, leaving the driver unable to stop in time to avoid hitting your car.
The same risk applies to faulty repairs on tires or steering systems. If the bad repair helped cause the crash and your injuries, the company may share the blame.
Failure to report known defects
Sometimes, a mechanic discovers a dangerous fault but fails to warn the trucking company. For example, a mechanic might notice badly worn brakes during a repair but fail to report the problem. If the brakes later fail and cause a crash, the failure to warn the truck’s owner could support a claim against the maintenance company.
The central issue is whether the company knew about the defect and failed to take the action its duties required.
Failure to perform proper inspections
Poor inspection practices can also lead to liability when a mechanic skips key checks or fails to follow the required inspection process. For example, a mechanic might overlook the truck’s braking system during a scheduled inspection, allowing a serious fault to go unnoticed.
Federal rules require trucking companies to ensure that their vehicles receive proper inspections and maintenance. If an outside provider performs this work poorly and the missed defect contributes to a crash, its inspection practices may come under scrutiny.
Protect your right to compensation after a truck accident
Poor repairs, unreported defects and inadequate inspections can all contribute to a truck crash, but a maintenance company is not automatically liable whenever a mechanical problem occurs. An attorney can review the circumstances of your accident as part of the claims process and determine whether another party beyond the driver may share responsibility for your injuries.