While driver negligence, like speeding or driving while distracted, is the most common cause of truck accidents, another significant cause of these devastating crashes is mechanical failure due to defective or poorly maintained vehicle components.
If you suffered an injury in a truck accident caused by a mechanical defect or malfunction, contact Triumph Law Group at 602-595-5559 for a free consultation with one of our experienced Phoenix truck accident lawyers. We’ll review your case, explain your options for seeking the compensation you deserve, and answer any remaining questions you have.
Our team is committed to providing robust legal counsel to individuals and families harmed by large trucks in the Phoenix area. We have a successful track record of recovering compensation for our clients through settlements and trial awards. Let us show you why we’re a trusted firm in Arizona.
Truck Defect Cases Our Firm Handles in Phoenix
Many types of truck defects can lead to catastrophic accidents, leaving victims with life-long injuries. Some of the most common truck accident cases involving mechanical failure our firm handles include:
- Tire Blowouts – When a truck tire blows out, it can lead to collisions in two main ways. First, the tire can come off of the rim or shred into pieces, posing a hazard for other motorists who may strike it. Second, the truck can lose control due to the blowout, causing it to collide with other vehicles or even roll over.
- Brake Failures – While a truck’s brakes can fail at any time, they most often fail when going downhill. Due to the truck’s weight, its downhill momentum can become too great for the brakes to counteract, leading to a failure and a likely rear-end collision.
- Steering Failures – If a truck’s steering fails, the driver may be unable to take evasive action to avoid a collision. While the brakes may still be operational, the driver may panic when the steering fails and not immediately hit the brakes, leading to a collision. Additionally, due to the vehicle’s weight, the brakes may not stop the truck in time before it crashes, even if the driver uses them.
- Trailer Coupling Malfunctions – When a truck’s coupling mechanism fails, the trailer can become partially or fully detached. These failures may lead to jackknife or rollover accidents as the trailer begins to swing independently from the vehicle cab.
- Cargo Securement Failures – Even when cargo is secured correctly, securement devices such as chains and other tie-downs can sometimes fail. These failures may lead to the truck’s cargo shifting, causing a weight imbalance that can lead to various crash types, or cargo can fall from the back of the truck and become a road hazard.
Truck Mechanical Malfunction Statistics
According to data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), in one recent year, there were over 114,000 truck accidents resulting in injury and over 5,000 resulting in death. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also found that large truck crashes accounted for 11 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in the same year.
What are the most common causes of large truck accidents? According to a study done by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver negligence was the biggest contributing factor, playing a role in 87 percent of collisions. However, the second-biggest contributing factor was vehicle malfunctions, which played a role in 10 percent of crashes.
A recent study published in the Journal of Advanced Transportation also looked at the most common mechanical problems leading to truck accidents. It found that 43.1 percent of crashes were attributed to tire failures, with an additional 29.6 percent attributed to brake system failures.
Examples of Truck Accidents Caused by Mechanical Defects
If you were rear-ended by a commercial truck while sitting in traffic, it may not have been because the truck driver was distracted by their phone. Instead, they may have suffered a brake failure that prevented them from stopping before colliding with you. In this case, your lawyers would have to demonstrate that the brake failure caused your injuries and identify the party responsible for that failure.
What if you were involved in a jackknife accident, where the truck’s trailer swung out alongside the cab and struck your vehicle? While many jackknife accidents result from truckers driving too fast for the conditions, they may also result from mechanical failure. A tire blowout or coupling device failure can lead to trailer instability and jackknifing.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mechanical Defects
Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions relating to truck accidents caused by mechanical failure.
Who Is Liable for Injuries Caused by a Truck Mechanical Failure?
Multiple parties could be liable for your injuries caused by a mechanical failure on a truck. For example, the truck driver or trucking company could be liable if they knew the truck was overdue for routine maintenance but failed to perform that maintenance.
The truck maintenance provider could also be liable if their poor maintenance contributed to the failure or if they didn’t provide the necessary maintenance. For example, the maintenance provider may have seen that the truck’s brakes were worn but figured they didn’t need to be changed.
Vehicle and component manufacturers could also be liable for your injuries if the mechanical failure resulted from a design or manufacturing defect.
What Compensation Is Available to Victims of Truck Accidents Caused by Mechanical Defects?
Truck accident injury victims can seek compensation for various losses they suffered due to the crash. Some of the most common are:
- Medical Expenses – Compensation for your past and future medical treatments
- Lost Wages – Compensation for the wages you lost or will lose because of your injuries
- Pain and Suffering – Compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you experienced
- Loss of Consortium – Compensation for the impact your injuries have had on your marital relationship
- Permanent Disability – Compensation for permanent disability you suffered, such as if you no longer have the mobility you once did
- Funeral and Burial Costs – Compensation for your loved one’s funeral and burial costs if they died as a result of their injuries
How Will Triumph Law Group Help Prove Liability in My Truck Accident Case?
Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the accident that caused your injuries to identify all liable parties and gather evidence demonstrating the connection between their negligence and the crash. Some evidence we may use to prove liability includes accident scene photographs, traffic camera footage, eyewitness statements, crash reconstruction specialist testimony, and the truck’s maintenance records.
Our lawyers can use various types of evidence to build a strong case and help you seek the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Contact Our Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyers
If you were injured in a Phoenix, Arizona, truck accident caused by a mechanical defect or malfunction, working with a team of skilled truck accident lawyers is crucial for proving liability and recovering compensation for your injuries. Contact Triumph Law Group at 602-595-5559 for a free consultation with a Phoenix personal injury lawyer from our legal team. During your initial meeting, we’ll review the details of your case and explain your options for seeking compensation, including through auto insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. We look forward to listening to your story and helping you understand the next steps for pursuing the justice you deserve.
T