CHICAGO, IL – Truck drivers and trucking companies often skip required inspections and maintenance to save time and money. While trucking companies may generate more revenue by delivering loads in a quicker, more efficient manner, it puts the lives of many innocent individuals at-risk.
Truck crash investigations have routinely shown problems with truck maintenance, such as:
- Brake failure
- Broken taillights
- Defective air brakes
- Defective couplings
- Tire blowouts
- Failure to install blind spot mirrors
- Lake of reflective tape
- And more
If trucking companies and truck drivers routinely ensured that tractor trailers were maintained and inspected, the above listed problems would be easily discoverable. If you have recently been injured due to the negligence of a truck driver, contact the truck accident attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group who will represent your injury claim and investigate if truck maintenance was performed under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) laws.
A study performed by FMCSA found that 27 percent of trailer trucks had brake safety issues and 3 percent experienced tire problems.
FMCSA Truck Maintenance Regulations
The FMCSA has comprehensive regulations for trucks in terms of inspection, repair, and maintenance that all drivers must abide by, such as:
- “Every motor carrier shall systematically inspect, repair, and maintain, or cause to be systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained, all motor vehicles subject to its control.”
- Parts and accessories must be in a safe, proper condition at all times.
- Pushout windows, emergency doors, and emergency door marking lights must be inspected every 90 days, at minimum.
- Refrain from operating any large rig if it’s in a state that’s likely to cause an accident or breakdown; if so, you must mark the trailer with an “out of service” sticker.
- Drivers must perform a “pre-trip” inspection to ensure its safe condition and the load is secure.
- Review the last truck inspection report and sign off verifying any necessary repairs were completed.
- Complete an inspection of the truck and prepare a written report that documents any defect or deficiency.
Contact the Dinizulu Law Group Today
The truck accident attorneys of the Dinizulu Law Group are experienced and knowledgeable about trucking laws and accidents and investigate all of our cases thoroughly to determine what caused the accident. Call our office now at (312) 384-1920 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and begin the process of getting the compensation you deserve.
