Tyler Truck Accidents Often Caused by Equipment Failures
A recent report reminded us that many tractor-trailers and other commercial trucks barreling down the highway in Tyler are not safe and that equipment failures cause many truck accidents.
A blog post by the National Law Review says truckers traveling at 75 mph or faster are knowingly risking a blowout and probable crash.
“Many, if not most, heavy truck tires are designed for a maximum sustained speed of 75 mph,” the report says. “Driving a tire above its rated speed is a recipe for disaster, as the heat generated can cause the tire to break down and fail.”
It further quotes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics that say between 2009 and 2013, more than 14,000 crashes in the United States that involved heavy trucks and buses caused nearly 16,000 deaths. Tire failure was a reported factor in 198 of those crashes.
In some instances, blowouts are related to manufacturing problems. But NHTSA says the most likely cause in each instance was driver error, with drivers pushing truck tires beyond their speed rating.
Tires are just a starting point.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) landmark “Large Truck Crash Causation Study” cited vehicle failure as a factor in 10 percent of truck accidents.
Some of the pieces of equipment or systems most likely to fail before truck crashes are:
1. Brakes
Brakes are essential for stopping a vehicle safely. Common issues include:
- Overloading: Trucks overloaded beyond their braking capacity can lead to brake failure.
- Driver Error: Improper use of brakes, such as excessive braking or riding the brakes, can cause overheating and failure.
- Maintenance Neglect: Worn brake pads, damaged air systems, or uneven brake wear can significantly impair braking performance.
2. Tires and Wheels
Tires are crucial for traction and stability. Key failure points include:
- Speed Rating Exceedance: Driving tires beyond their rated speed can generate excessive heat, leading to blowouts.
- Improper Maintenance: Worn or improperly inflated tires can blow out, causing loss of control.
- Wheel Detachment: Loose lug nuts or worn-out wheel bearings can lead to wheel separation, resulting in catastrophic accidents.
3. Steering
The steering system is vital for vehicle control. Common issues include:
- Faulty Components: Problems with the steering box, leaking power steering fluid, or worn tie rods can lead to steering failure.
- Alignment Issues: Misaligned wheels can cause handling problems, making it difficult to steer accurately.
- Regular Inspections: Lack of routine checks can lead to unnoticed wear and tear, increasing the risk of failure.
4. Trailer Attachments
Trailer couplings are critical for towing safety. Potential failure points include:
- Faulty Latches: Rusted or cracked latches can lead to trailer detachments.
- Improper Coupling: Incorrectly attached trailers can separate during transit, posing a danger to other road users.
- Maintenance: Regular checks are necessary to ensure that all attachment points are secure and functional.
5. Suspension
The suspension system affects ride quality and vehicle stability. Key issues include:
- Overloading: Excessive weight can strain suspension components, leading to failure.
- Worn Parts: Damaged shock absorbers or springs can compromise handling and stability.
- Poorly Balanced Loads: Improperly distributed cargo can lead to uneven wear and potential suspension failure.
6. Body, Doors, and Hood
The structural integrity of the truck is vital for safety. Common problems include:
- Body Damage: Cracks or dents can weaken the structure and affect performance.
- Door Malfunctions: Faulty door latches can lead to doors opening unexpectedly while driving.
- Hood Issues: A malfunctioning hood latch can cause the hood to fly open, obstructing the driver’s view.
7. Transmission
The transmission is responsible for power transfer from the engine to the wheels. Key failure points include:
- Overloading: Excessive loads can put undue stress on the transmission, leading to failure.
- Fluid Issues: Low or dirty transmission fluid can impair shifting and lead to overheating.
- Mechanical Wear: Worn gears or bearings can cause grinding noises and shifting difficulties.
In other truck accidents, investigations show that missing mirrors or a lack of warning lights contributed to a collision, reflecting negligent truck maintenance. Defective tie-downs can allow cargo to shift, which can quickly move the center of gravity within a truck and cause the driver to lose control or even make the truck roll over.
But accidents involving defective equipment are preventable accidents and should not occur. FMCSA regulations Part 396 specifically address inspection, repair, and maintenance of all commercial motor vehicles and intermodal equipment subject to a trucking company’s control.
The FMCSA’s rules say that every trucking company, its drivers, representatives, and employees involved with the inspection or maintenance of commercial motor vehicles must comply with the rules.
To obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Texas, a driver must conduct a vehicle inspection in the presence of a licensing examiner. The driver is required to walk around the vehicle and point to each item and explain to the examiner what is being checked and why, according to the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook.
In other words, drivers know what is required of them to ensure their trucks will be safe to operate on the highway.
Trucking company owners, who invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in each truck they run, know what is required to inspect, maintain and repair the vehicles in their fleet. Motor carrier managers also know they are responsible for ensuring that employees who do the hands-on work are adequately trained and supervised.
When equipment failure is found to cause a truck accident, the investigation focuses first on the trucker and the trucking company. They are responsible for inspecting the equipment and determining that it is in good condition.
In some cases, an equipment manufacturer may be held accountable if a piece of equipment was faulty due to its design or manufacture.
The truck accident law firm of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is serious about assisting Texans who have been injured or lost loved ones in commercial truck accidents. We investigate commercial motor vehicle accidents to determine who is responsible and aggressively pursue maximum compensation for our clients.
If you or a family member has been injured in a tractor-trailer accident in Texas, contact Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., today.
ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
With over 100 years of combined experience among the legal team of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our Texas personal injury attorneys have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases. When representing injured Texas residents, we fight for justice against wrongdoing and aggressively pursue the best resolution to complex personal injury claims.
If you or a loved one was injured, please get in touch with us for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is a locally based law firm that holds negligent individuals and companies accountable for their wrongdoing. We are not a personal injury mill that advertises nationwide. We provide individualized advocacy in attending to all aspects of claims that involve. Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Dallas, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.
We remain by our client’s side, handling all aspects of their claims and attending to all legal, medical, and financial needs. That dedication combines experience, legal knowledge, and insight from a former insurance adjuster and several former insurance defense attorneys. Whether our clients suffer from physical pain from an accident or the emotional grief of death, we treat clients with compassion. We put their mind at ease during difficult times by answering their questions concerning the length of their claim, medical bills, financial compensation, and their overall need for a lawyer.
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