Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Yes, poor maintenance can prove negligence in truck cases because it serves as a reliable form of evidence. This information can show that either a trucking company or the owner of the vehicle failed to properly inspect, maintain, or repair the truck.
As a result, your truck accident lawyer in New York can argue that they failed to take preventative measures that could have otherwise prevented the crash. The sooner you contact an attorney, the more time your lawyer will have to prove negligence in your case.
Why Truck Maintenance Matters in Personal Injury Cases
Truck drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles safely, but trucking companies have responsibilities as well. Commercial trucks travel thousands of miles every week while carrying heavy loads. Due to the size and weight of these vehicles, even a relatively minor mechanical problem can create a dangerous situation for everyone nearby.
When brakes fail, tires blow out, steering systems malfunction, or lights stop working, the consequences can be devastating. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh tens of thousands of pounds, making it difficult for a driver to avoid a crash when critical vehicle components fail. If proper maintenance could have prevented the crash, parties like these might be held liable:
- The trucking company
- Maintenance providers
- The vehicle owner
- Another responsible party
A lawyer’s role is not simply to prove that a crash occurred. The goal is to uncover why it happened and determine whether negligence played a role. In many truck accident cases, poor maintenance records can prove negligence.
How Poor Maintenance Can Contribute to Truck Accidents
Truck accidents caused by maintenance failures occur in many different ways. A rather common issue involves brake failures. Commercial trucks require a lot of stopping distance even under ideal conditions.
Drivers can have a hard time stopping in time to avoid a collision if brake systems are worn, damaged, improperly adjusted, or inadequately inspected. The same can happen when its tires are excessively worn, improperly inflated, damaged, or overdue for replacement.
These factors can increase the risk of blowouts and loss of vehicle control. At highway speeds, a tire failure can quickly turn into a catastrophic accident. Steering system defects may also contribute to crashes. Other maintenance-related issues include:
- Defective lights
- Broken mirrors
- Suspension-related issues
- Failures with coupling
- Engine-involved malfunctions
- Damaged safety equipment
The trucking company might face allegations of negligent behavior if your attorney can prove that these failures are the result of skipped inspections, delayed repairs, or known problems that were ignored.
What Evidence Can Show That Poor Maintenance Caused a Crash?
One of the biggest challenges after a truck accident is proving what happened. Victims often assume that maintenance issues will be obvious. Unfortunately, trucking companies and insurance carriers do not typically admit fault voluntarily.
In many cases, evidence must be uncovered through a detailed investigation. This is where legal representation can make a significant difference. Your attorney can collect evidence in the following forms:
- Maintenance logs
- Inspection reports
- Invoices for repairs
- Service-related records
- Driver inspection reports
- Safety policies of the company
- Electronic data inside the truck
Federal regulations require trucking companies to maintain certain records related to vehicle inspections and repairs. These records can reveal whether safety issues existed before the crash and whether the company took appropriate action to address them.
In some situations, attorneys work with accident reconstructionists, engineers, and mechanical professionals who can examine the vehicle and identify defects or maintenance failures that contributed to the collision.
Understanding Negligence in New York Truck Accident Cases
When accident victims hear the term negligence, they often wonder what it actually means in a legal context. Generally speaking, negligence helps lawyers determine liability, and it involves the failure to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances.
In truck accident cases, this may involve failing to properly inspect, maintain, repair, or monitor commercial vehicles. To successfully pursue compensatory damages, your lawyer typically must show that these claims are true:
- The responsible party had a duty to act safely.
- That same party breached their duty of care.
- As a result, they caused your injuries.
For example, if maintenance inspections were skipped or repair recommendations were ignored, those actions may become important evidence in a personal injury lawsuit. The focus is often not on whether a mistake occurred, but whether that mistake directly contributed to the accident and resulting injuries.
Call Shulman & Hill ASAP for Help Figuring Out if Poor Maintenance Can Prove Negligence in Truck Cases
If you’re curious about the possibility of poor maintenance proving negligence in truck cases, don’t wait any longer to contact Shulman & Hill. Established in 2013, our law firm is home to attorneys with more than 200 years of combined experience.
Together, we have recovered over $1 billion in compensation on behalf of 26,000 clients and counting. We’re New York’s premier injury law firm, and we pride ourselves on being part of the local community. Our office is diverse, just like the boroughs surrounding us.
Not only do we work on a contingency fee basis, but we also conduct comprehensive investigations for every case. The sooner you contact us, the more time we can dedicate to your case. Every Borough, Every Block, New York, We Got You.