Miami Truck Maintenance Safety Attorney
In any commercial truck accident, the initial suspicion of fault almost always falls on the truck driver. After all, the driver was in control of the vehicle, so it stands to reason that if something went wrong, it must have been a negligent act on that driver’s part. Yet that is often not the case–or at the very least, driver negligence does not tell the whole story. Indeed, many truck accidents are the result of a mechanical failure exacerbated by poor maintenance practices on the part of the truck company.
The Miami truck maintenance safety attorneys at Pike & Lustig, LLP, represent truck accident victims in seeking compensation from negligent operators, repair companies, and even drivers who fail in their duty to ensure their vehicles are safe to operate on the road. Our team understands that truck accidents are often the result of systemic failure with respect to maintenance and safety. And we will make sure those persons and companies who ignored their responsibilities in these areas are held legally accountable for the harm they caused.
Truck Maintenance and Accountability Under Florida Law
Anyone who owns a motor vehicle knows they need to have a qualified mechanic perform regular inspections and repairs. When it comes to commercial trucks, however, this is not just a matter of common sense. All companies that transport cargo need to follow specific federal and state truck maintenance safety regulations. Indeed, one of the first things that our attorneys examine following a client’s accident is whether anyone responsible for the truck’s maintenance and safety skirted or ignored these rules.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations expressly state that a truck company “must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) under its control.” This duty extends to “[e]very employee of a carrier that is directly involved with the inspection and upkeep of vehicles.” Even truck drivers need to inspect their vehicles before and after each trip and report any maintenance issues they observe to management.
When truck companies fail to implement and follow proper maintenance procedures as required by these regulations, the result can be a catastrophic accident. The reality is that a semi-truck is a complex vehicle with thousands of parts. And a failure of certain critical parts while a truck is on the highway can lead to disaster. Some of the more common mechanical failures that we see in truck accidents include:
- brakes;
- exhaust and fuel systems;
- headlights, turn lights, and other signal lights;
- steering column;
- the truck’s suspension;
- tires, wheels, and rims;
- trailer hitches.
Many of these issues only require simple maintenance to fix. Yet when a truck company has developed a culture of ignoring safety issues over time, they are more likely to see one of their vehicles fail a critical moment and injure innocent people. Such negligence is inexcusable.
Contact Pike & Lustig Today
Determining fault for a Miami commercial truck accident often involves a careful investigation of the truck company’s safety practices, or lack thereof. Our Miami truck maintenance safety attorneys are here to help you and your family undertake this important task. Contact Pike & Lustig, LLP, today at (561) 291-8298 to schedule a consultation.
