Who's at Fault for a Truck Collision Caused by Faulty Parts?
Truck accidents are often severe due to the sheer size of commercial vehicles. Additionally, truck accidents have a range of causes that may impact who is at fault for your accident. For example, in cases where a truck accident is caused by mechanical failure, determining fault can be complicated.
The Dallas, TX, truck accident attorneys at Ramey Law Firm, PLLC, can help you investigate the causes of your accident in order to identify all parties that may be at fault. We can help you determine who's at fault for a truck collision caused by faulty mechanical parts and pursue compensation for your injuries.
The Truck Driver May Be To Blame
One of the first people to look at after a faulty mechanical part causes a truck accident is the driver of the commercial truck. Semi-truck drivers are required to seek regular maintenance on their rigs. Generally, they are required to undergo vehicle inspection before taking to the road. Additionally, they may have a specific checklist and set of procedures to follow to comply with maintenance requirements.
If you have medical bills or property damage and want to recover compensation, the driver may be covered by their own insurance policy or their employer's policy. A truck accident lawyer in Dallas can help you understand what you need to do to hold the driver responsible.
The Owner of the Trucking Company May Be at Fault
Trucking company owners must follow extensive rules and regulations to ensure they are compliant with state and federal laws. In truck accidents caused by mechanical failure, they may be liable for the following reasons:
- Driver inspections - Truck companies are required to perform background checks and other kinds of screenings on all truck drivers. If they fail to perform these checks, and the driver behaves negligently leading to your accident, the company may also be at fault.
- Driver hours - The number of hours a truck driver can drive per day is highly regulated to ensure safety. A truck company owner might be at fault if a driver failed to perform required maintenance checks because they drove too long or because their employer pressured them to hit specific timelines.
- Vehicle maintenance procedures - If the trucking company owner failed to outline a process for regular maintenance checks to the driver, they might be at fault for your accident.
A Mechanic Who Worked on the Truck May Be Liable
If a mechanic who works on the truck doesn't exercise enough care in doing their job, they may be responsible for your truck accident. Additionally, if the mechanic's negligent repairs led to a mechanical failure in the truck involved in your accident, they may be considered to be at fault.
A mechanic may be covered under a company insurance policy, have their own personal policy, or have professional insurance to compensate you for your injuries.
The Designer or Manufacturer of a Faulty Part May Also Be to Blame
Sometimes a part used on the truck is faulty, either by design or through the manufacturing process. Parts manufacturers are required to issue recalls on defective parts to prevent injuries.
You may look to the parts designer or manufacturer if you can show that the product defect led to your truck accident. However, it may be difficult to prove the part's manufacturer was negligent, so you may want to work with a Dallas truck accident lawyer to gather the evidence you need to prove your claim.
The Legal Team at Ramey Law Firm Can Help
If you need help figuring out who may be liable for your truck accident, call us at (972) 437-5577 or contact our law office online to schedule an appointment today.
