Earlier this week, the driver of a tractor trailer lost control of the truck, which led to a fatal accident. According to a report by Chron.com, the tractor trailer was traveling down route 180 in Maine when it hit a slick patch of road, sending the huge vehicle sliding into a nearby pickup truck. The truck was driven by a 64 year old man and his wife. The man was killed in the crash and his wife is still in the hospital recovering from severe head injuries. The police are still investigating whether mechanical failure played any role in the fatal accident.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance
When any vehicle experiences a problem on the highway and becomes disabled on the side of the road other motorists are put into danger. When that disabled vehicle is a semi truck, the danger is even greater. With their size, weight, and inability to quickly maneuver, disabled semi trucks are a serious danger to any motorist.
Semi trucks are giant machines that must be fine-tuned in order to be driven safely and to run properly. Trucking companies are responsible for the regular maintenance of their fleet of trucks. This is not just for environmental compliance or mechanical soundness, but also for highway safety. If any one system on a semi truck breaks down, the potential for disaster increases. This couldn’t be more true this time of year with the cold weather and rain, which can lead to slippery roads and even ice in some cases.
The following are just some of the areas that must be regularly inspected on all semi trucks that travel across state lines:
- The hydraulic brake system
- The tires (tread, wear, etc.)
- The cabin
- The trailer (cargo area, hitch, etc.)
Accidents Caused by Negligent Maintenance
When a semi truck is negligently maintained, accidents can and often do happen. These accidents all too often have tragic outcomes due to the nature of semi trucks and the high-speed roads they are often travelling on.
When there is a semi truck accident due to negligent maintenance, the victim of that accident has a right to recover damages from the trucking company as well as the truck driver (and likely the driver’s insurance company). While the monetary compensation can never put you in the position you were in before the accident, it can often help you move on with your life.
What To Do If You Have Been Injured in a Semi Truck Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi truck accident, you should speak to an experienced Fort Worth truck accident attorney as soon as possible. You may be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries or loss depending on the specific facts of your case.
The Law Offices of William Berenson has over 30 years of experience holding negligent drivers responsible for the injuries they cause. The firm’s founder, Bill Berenson, is a Board Certified Specialist in Personal Injury Trial Law and has the dedication and experience you need to recover in your case. Contact the Law Offices of William K. Berenson online, or call 817-855-0000 locally, or 1-888-801-8585 toll-free and schedule a free initial consultation today.
See More Blog Posts:
Fatalities And Injuries From Tractor Trailer and Truck Crashes Rising, October 9, 2013.
Hire The Best Attorney For Your 18 Wheeler Crash Case, August 27, 2013.