Who Is Liable When A Defective Part Causes A Truck Accident?
Generally speaking, when there is a truck accident it is usually the truck driver or the trucking company who is to blame. However, there are times when other parties are to blame. One such instance is when a defective part causes a truck accident. Manufacturers can be held liable for a crash when they create a defective part, but there are other entities who can also be to blame. Below, our San Antonio truck maintenance safety lawyer explains more.
Common Defective Truck Parts
A single truck is made up of thousands of moving parts. These parts must all be in good working condition so they can work together to stabilize the vehicle and avoid an accident. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Although any defective truck part can cause a crash, there are some that are more likely to be defective than others. These include:
- Brakes
- Tires
- Steering columns and mechanisms
- Lights
- Hydraulics
- Wires and connections
Who is Liable for Defective Truck Parts?
It is easy to assume that manufacturers are responsible for defective truck parts and many times, this is the case. All manufacturers have a legal obligation to ensure the products they create are safe to use and will not cause injury. This also holds true for manufacturers of trucks and truck parts. If the manufacturer created a defective part, they can be held strictly liable, which means you do not have to prove they were negligent. You must only show the part was defective and that you were injured as a result.
It is not only manufacturers who can be held liable for an accident caused by a defective truck part. There are many people who work on trucks, including inspection and maintenance companies. These are incredibly important to ensure a truck is safe and roadworthy, and to prevent serious crashes from happening. If a company failed to properly inspect a truck, or did not properly maintain it and a part they worked on caused the accident, these companies can also be held liable.
Lastly, trucking companies can also be held liable for defective parts. Trucking companies are always looking for ways to cut corners and protect their own bottom line. They may not have their vehicles properly inspected or maintained in an effort to save money. Or, they may allow defective parts to be installed because they are older and cheaper than brand new parts that are entirely safe. When trucking companies use these tactics and prioritize their own profits over the safety of others, they can be held liable for their actions or inactions.
Our Truck Maintenance Safety Lawyer in San Antonio Can Determine Who is Liable for Your Crash
It is never easy to determine liability after a truck accident but when a crash is caused by a defective part, it is even more challenging. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our San Antonio truck maintenance safety lawyer will conduct a full investigation to determine who is at fault and hold them fully accountable for paying full and fair compensation for the injuries that you have suffered. Call or text us now at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more.
Source:
ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-396/section-396.3
