Lawyers for Trucking Accidents Caused by Mechanical Defects
If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident caused by a mechanical defect, Crowe & Harris, LLP can help.
Large commercial trucks, or 18-wheelers, serve numerous purposes, and can be extremely useful in transporting products throughout the country. However, when a mechanical defect or malfunction occurs, these large vehicles are prone to causing serious, sometimes fatal, accidents. When this happens, you need an attorney to assist you in recovering for your injuries and ensure that your best interests are met – whether through negotiations and mediation or litigation. The Boston trucking mechanical defect attorneys of Crowe & Harris, LLP , understand that many Massachusetts accident victims face debilitating injuries, expensive hospital bills, lost wages, and property damage. Our lawyers believe that innocent victims shouldn’t be held responsible for covering expenses related to such an accident, and we know how to help victims hold the responsible parties liable for their losses.
Call our office today at (617) 404-3417 to talk about your case and see what you are eligible to recover for your injuries.
Why You Need a Lawyer
Mechanical defect cases are not always easy to prove. The cases get even more complex when you have to address who was responsible for the mechanical defect, even though everyone in the chain of commerce – or at least manufacture – may be sued and potentially held liable. This is because most defects do not just happen on the production line of the 18-wheeler, but may occur in the production of a particular component part. This means tracking down all of the suppliers an 18-wheeler manufacture relies on and investigating their parts, quality control, history of any related litigation, etc. These cases also typically require knowledge about industry standards in the vein of safety measures taken, norms with regard to those measures, and whether or not the manufacturer and/or supplier adhered to those standards. For these reasons, alone, it is important to have an experienced mechanical defect attorney on your side.
An attorney with a history of mechanical defect claims and litigation will already have the knowledge you will need as you go forward with negotiations and/or litigation. An attorney will also have the resources to investigate any and all of the parties involved. This allows you to rest easy and recover from your injuries in a way that you could not otherwise if you tried to handle your mechanical defect case alone. Contacting an attorney is your best bet for success in your claim against manufacturers and suppliers of 18-wheelers. Hold these manufacturers and suppliers who have let mechanical defects slip by responsible, as their negligence has ultimately led to harm toward you and your loved ones.
Why You Should Choose Crowe & Harris, LLP
At Crowe & Harris, LLP we have the talent and knowledge you need in this area of law to ensure you the best results possible in your claim. We know what it takes to fully develop a mechanical malfunction claim and get you the compensation you are legally entitled to receive from the parties who have caused you harm. Our track record of success for our clients and their injuries in these matters means that we have the skills you need in the courtroom or when negotiating with the opposing parties to get what you deserve.
While every case is different, we treat each of our clients with compassion and care, ensuring that all of your needs are addressed as you recover from your injuries and seek justice from those who harmed you. Whether you have just been in an accident with an 18-wheeler and know that a mechanical malfunction was the cause of the accident or it has been months since you have addressed this issue: contact us. We can help you in whatever stage of the legal and claims process you are in and will ensure that you have the best results possible. Before you sign any settlement agreements, contact us to review the agreement and make sure that you are getting all you that the law entitles you to receive.
Types of Mechanical Malfunctions
Since 18-wheelers are such large vehicles, if any facet within the machinery malfunctions, the results could be disastrous for the truck driver as well as others on the road. The following are common mechanical defects that cause truck accidents:
Brake Malfunction
Of the numerous mechanical systems that work together to power trucks, the one system that is perhaps the most important when it comes to safety is the braking system. When a commercial truck’s brakes malfunction, a dangerous accident is much more likely to occur.
Individuals who have suffered as a result of runaway trucks may always struggle with the physical and emotional trauma, but they should not have to shoulder the financial burdens as well. Crowe & Harris, LLP ‘s trucking brake malfunction attorneys are committed to helping you.
Insufficient Underride Protection
One of the most dangerous types of collisions that a personal vehicle can have with a commercial truck involves a truck’s lack of underride protection. These accidents are called underride collisions, and they happen far too often. The front bumpers of most cars stand at about 30 inches tall, whereas the tail ends of most commercial truck trailers are as high as 45 inches tall. This fifteen inch discrepancy makes it alarmingly easy for cars to get jammed under trailers in both rear-end and t-bone collisions.
Fortunately for many drivers, trucks have been required to utilize underride guards since 1996. While these guards have proven effective in preventing injury during rear-end collisions, the threat of underride accidents is still very serious when a truck lacks a sufficient underride guards.
Tire Defects
Unfortunately, there are a number of potential defects that can affect the integrity of tires on 18-wheelers. Various parties will be responsible for ensuring that a truck’s tires are not over- or under-filled, are not too old, will not lose traction in certain conditions, are rotated regularly, and so on. Just a few of the different parties who could be responsible for ensuring and maintaining properly functioning tires are:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The tire manufacturer
Every truck tire should be inspected by enough individuals and with enough regularity that no defect goes unnoticed. Sadly, there are still plenty of opportunities for oversight in the system, and accidents happen far too often as a result of faulty tires.
Trailer Malfunction
Federal and state agencies have imposed certain safety standards and practices on those involved in the trucking industry in an attempt to make roads safer for everyone on them. Unfortunately, there are truck manufacturers and companies that try to save time or money by skipping important steps in ensuring the quality and safety of their trucks.
When these protocols are ignored or not followed correctly, dangerous accidents can happen. Massachusetts trucking employees who improperly load trailers create opportunities for cargo to cause an accident by shifting or unevenly distributing weight. Additionally, manufacturers and owners who do not ensure that trailer gear such as hitches and brake lights are properly functioning may be liable for any damage caused as a result of the faulty product.
Who Is Liable for a Truck’s Mechanical Defect?
Most people are unaware that a mechanical defect claim may involve several parties – not just the manufacturer of the 18-wheeler. Other related parties may include:
- The manufacturer of the isolated defective or malfunctioning part
- The seller or supplier of the part
- The trucking company, if there was also a failure to maintain the 18-wheeler in a way that would have given notice of the defective part
If you have been injured in an accident with a malfunctioning 18-wheeler, you should not go through your ordeal without assistance. The right legal team can help you collect the compensation that you need to deal with your injuries. Whether your case matches a situation listed above or is different, you have rights. So contact Crowe & Harris, LLP today to discuss your situation and what you may be able to recover for your injuries.
Contact a Mechanical Defect Attorney in Boston Today
If you or someone that you care about has been involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, a vehicular malfunction might be to blame. The mechanical defect attorneys at Crowe & Harris, LLP , are prepared to help you determine if this is the case and whether or not to file a personal injury claim. To speak with an attorney ready to handle your case, call our office in Boston today at (617) 404-3417.
Our consultations are free, and we can help you determine what your rights are, how best to pursue the most compensation for you, and what compensation you may be able to recover.
