Improper Maintenance Leads to Commercial Truck Accidents in Tennessee

Anyone who has traveled the Interstates and highways with large commercial trucks likely has experienced a moment when they had truck come barreling up behind them or entering a roadway when you had nowhere to go and you hoped that the truck’s brakes were working properly.  This actually is a very serious concern because many of the trucks with which we share the road are not maintained as well as they should be.

Tractor-trailers are built for long-distance hauling, which means that that are as long, heavy, and high as regulations allow.  This super-size also means that these behemoths do not stop quickly, turn tightly, or steer nimbly.  When poor maintenance is added to the mix, these big rigs are accidents waiting to happen.

Part of the problem with keeping a tractor-trailer up-to-date on its maintenance is that there usually are a number of owners, leasers, and servicers involved with any particular truck.  There often is a trucking company that controls the long-haul contracts and usually owns the trailers.  The cab may be owned by the truck driver, who is contracted to haul specific goods, or the driver may lease the cab.  It also is possible that the truck company owns the cab and simply hires the driver to get the truck from one place to another. To further complicate things, there may be a parent company involved in the organizational structure.  The maintenance work may be handled by employees of the trucking company or it may be outsourced.

Are you confused yet?  Well, imagine trying to keep track of when the tires of a specific trailer need to be replaced or brake lines repaired.  Of course, these details are required to be recorded in accordance with state and federal laws in order to ensure that the trucks are safe to travel across the State of Tennessee and the rest of the country, but negligence does occur, which places all travelers in jeopardy.  The information that must be recorded includes:

• The nature of the work that was done on the truck, that date that the part or system was inspected or repaired, the name of the person who performed the work, and specific vehicle identifying information;
• The specific parts that were installed in the truck as part of a repair or routine upgrade; and
• Any issues that arose for a particular truck, including requests for inspection or repair.

Despite a system that seems to provide oversight for the maintenance and repair of trucks, there are many problems that still exist, including:

• Failing to inspect tires as required and replace them as necessary;
• Failing to inspect brakes;
• Failing to inspect the truck’s steering system;
• Installing the wrong size or type of tire, including installing retreads that are not made to withstand the strain of long-haul trucking;
• Failing to properly test the restraints that secure and stabilize the load being hauled; and
• Failing to adequately inspect the coupling mechanism that attaches the cab to the trailer.

These maintenance failures may lead to a catastrophic accident when the truck is on the road.

If you have been involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer, you likely experienced serious injuries that required extensive medical treatment.  It is important to retain the skilled Memphis truck accident attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC in order to obtain the compensation that you need to continue to receive ongoing medical treatment, pay your bills, and work towards a quality of life that approaches what you had before the accident.  We will learn about your specific challenges and needs during the initial free and confidential consultation and will develop a case strategy that meets your needs.  To start towards recovery, call us at 901-680-9777 and set up a time to talk about your accident and its aftermath.