Trucks are among the most dangerous vehicles on the road, and any defects in them could make them even more dangerous. Vehicle defects can cause truck accidents in Mississippi for several reasons. They can cause a driver to lose control, resulting in a crash into victims. Defects can also indicate that other parties, such as manufacturers and technicians, could be partially to blame for an accident.
Our truck accident lawyer in Jackson, MS at Hearn Law Firm will assess all vehicle defects related to the specific type of accident and known concerns. Some details on how vehicle defects cause truck accidents in Mississippi include the following.
Types of Defective Parts in Trucks
A full investigation into what occurred is often completed on-site by the police and sometimes by the Department of Transportation. They seek evidence of the cause of the accident by examining the vehicle’s working components to pinpoint any signs of abnormal wear and tear.
Any component on a truck can be defective.
- It could be defective due to the component’s design. This indicates that the manufacturer’s part was defective and risky from the start.
- It may also be defective if it was produced in a way that introduced errors, such as without quality assurance or lacking the use of proper materials.
- There are times when defects may result from improper installation, maintenance, or replacement over time.
Your attorney will gather evidence of what occurred and then investigate additional accidents like the one you were in. They are looking for any indication that the accident was caused by a defective part.
What Happens When Defective Parts Are Used
From manufacturing to the replacement of older parts, defective parts create weaknesses and instability in the truck’s operation. Vehicle breakdowns often cause the driver to lose control of the truck, usually suddenly. Some of the most common types of moving part defects that create such risks include:
- Tire blowouts
- Brake failures
- Failed ball joints
- Steering capability failures
- Trailer attachment failures
- Cargo shifting due to restraints
In each of these situations, the loss of functionality poses a risk to the driver’s ability to stop, steer, and move the truck away from others on the road. This can indicate a potential product liability claim for victims.
Determining Fault with Defective Trucks
If a truck part is defective and evidence shows as much, it is necessary to determine fault. Fault is dependent on the situation. For example:
- The truck driver and trucking company could be at fault if the driver failed to inspect the components prior to the trip according to federal laws.
- The manufacturer of the part could be at fault if they failed to inspect finished products to spot any inconsistencies.
- Maintenance technicians and repair shops could be at fault if they knowingly used defective parts in vehicles, thereby putting others at risk.
Through an investigation, your attorney will pinpoint every party that played a role in the accident to build a strong case against them. This often means seeking legal action against numerous parties who all contributed to some degree.
Keep in mind that trucking companies, insurers, and sometimes police do not automatically share that a defective part caused your accident. Yet it could be incredibly important to know that when it comes to filing a claim for your losses against those at fault. Call Hearn Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.