When commercial vehicles are improperly serviced, drivers can suffer from brake failures, tire blowouts, engine malfunctions, and suspension issues. The size and weight of commercial vehicles further complicate problems like these when they arise.
When a commercial vehicle isn’t properly maintained or serviced, the risks to drivers—both truck drivers and those in other vehicles—are life-threatening. That’s why it’s important to take proactive measures to prevent these issues from occurring.
However, if you or someone you love was hurt in a crash involving commercial vehicles, an Indianapolis truck accident lawyer can help. With legal counsel by your side, you can look into your options for seeking justice and pursuing compensation.
What Are the Risks of Driving an Unserviced Commercial Vehicle?
Commercial vehicles are larger and heavier than regular passenger cars. On top of that, they often operate under more conditions since they are commonly used to haul heavy loads across long distances. Naturally, this can put a lot of stress on various parts of the truck.
When these vehicles aren’t properly maintained, truck drivers can experience breakdowns or failures that lead to dangerous accidents. Let’s look more closely at what it means if a commercial vehicle undergoes these issues:
- Brake failures
- Tire blowouts
- Engine malfunctions
- Suspension issues
Brake Failures
The braking system of a commercial vehicle is a critical safety feature. If the pads are worn down or the system is not properly inspected, brake failure might occur.
This failure can prevent the truck from stopping in time, especially in an emergency, causing serious collisions.
Tire Blowouts
Tires on large trucks bear an enormous amount of weight and pressure. If they aren’t properly inflated or wear down without being replaced, they are at greater risk of blowing out.
A tire blowout can cause truck drivers to lose control, swerve into other lanes, or roll over onto their side. In many cases, these incidents can also cause serious damage to other vehicles on the road.
Engine Malfunctions
An engine failure can cause a commercial vehicle to stop or lose power without notice. This can put the truck in a dangerous situation on the road, especially in high-speed areas or busy traffic.
Suspension Issues
Truck suspension systems are designed to keep the vehicle stable, particularly when moving through rough terrain or carrying heavy loads over long distances.
When suspension systems are not checked or maintained, trucks can become unstable, which increases the likelihood of rollovers or collisions.
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What Are the Consequences of Operating a Commercial Vehicle That Has Been Improperly Serviced?
Improper servicing of commercial vehicles not only puts the drivers of those vehicles at risk but also threatens the safety of everyone else on the road. The size and weight of trucks make them particularly dangerous for the following reasons:
- Escalates the intensity of accidents
- Heightens the severity of injuries
- Increases dangers on the road
Escalates the Intensity of Accidents
When a commercial vehicle experiences a mechanical failure, the truck driver can lose control of their vehicle, collide with other cars, or cause collisions that block other lanes of traffic. This is why multi-vehicle accidents are not uncommon when commercial vehicles are involved.
In some cases, pedestrians or cyclists may also be involved in the crash. As a result, what might have been a minor collision among smaller cars becomes a massive crash due to the impact of the commercial vehicle.
Heightens the Severity of Injuries
Truck drivers are often the first ones to suffer when their vehicle malfunctions because it often results in a total loss of control. This can be dangerous no matter what, but it’s particularly frightening if the vehicle rolls over or crashes into other cars on the road.
Increases Dangers on the Road
When you get in the car and start driving on public or private roads, you are taking a risk that you might get into a collision. However, not everyone anticipates the increased dangers of colliding with a commercial vehicle.
Poorly maintained commercial vehicles can quickly become frightening hazards to others on the road. A brake failure, tire blowout, or engine malfunction can cause the truck to suddenly veer into other lanes and hit other vehicles, sometimes at high and uncontrollable speeds.
Who is Responsible for Vehicle Maintenance?
Making sure commercial vehicles are properly serviced is a legal responsibility that both trucking companies and truck drivers must uphold. However, mechanics and service centers are also in charge of ensuring that all the repairs they make are performed correctly.
If a truck accident occurs as a result of improper maintenance, a number of parties might hold liability for the crash:
- Truck owners and operators: The responsibility for maintaining commercial vehicles generally falls on the truck owner or the operator of the truck. Regular inspections, servicing, and repairs must be performed to ensure that the vehicle is safe to drive.
- Mechanics and service centers: Service centers that perform inspections or repairs also play a role in ensuring the vehicle’s safety. If the service center fails to identify issues during routine inspections or makes improper repairs, it could be held liable for any resulting accidents.
Contact a Truck Accident Law Firm in Indianapolis for More Information
When commercial vehicles are improperly serviced, truck drivers are more likely to get into a crash. Not only is an accident stressful in and of itself, but the stress of dealing with insurance claims, legal battles, and financial instability can add further strain.
However, the good news is you don’t have to worry about handling everything alone. At Vaughan & Vaughan, we have more than 100 years of experience. For a century and counting, we’ve helped our clients recover over $25 million in compensation.
If you’ve been involved in a semi-truck crash, we understand how confusing and stressful the aftermath can be—but we’re here to fight for the financial recovery you need. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay a dime unless we win.
