Understanding How Truck Defects Affect Accident Cases

Although rare, a not-insignificant amount (~10%) of truck accidents in Arizona are caused by defective components within the truck itself. These defects can crop up at any point from assembly to maintenance to the time of the crash, so it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact source of mechanical failures—difficult, yet not impossible. Understanding truck defects can help you resolve your Arizona truck accident case and secure fair compensation for the extensive financial and personal losses you’ve likely sustained.

Common Defects and Safety Recalls

Vehicular defects are incredibly varied by nature and can affect almost any component of any vehicle depending on the situation. However, there are certain parts of a truck which see defects far more frequently than others:

• Brake mechanisms. Given the sheer mass of trucks and the complex brake mechanisms they employ, these are among the most dangerous and most common points of defects.
• Steering systems. Losing control of a truck’s trajectory is a terrifying prospect, but isn’t entirely uncommon due to strained systems of intricate hydraulics. 
• Tires. Tires on a truck tend to burn out (and blow out) at a far higher rate than in other vehicles; furthermore, the additional tires on larger rigs simply provide more potential points of failure.
• Lights and signals. While seemingly far more benign than the others on this list, remember that the wide turning radiuses and ungainly builds of trucks make signals to other drivers especially important; even a single broken light could cause a catastrophic accident.

Manufacturing defects aren’t very common and are usually discovered before trucks get onto the road at all. However, when defects inevitably do slip through the cracks, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s commercial recall process in Arizona comes into play.

Who Might Be At Fault for a Defect

Defects are tricky to determine the source of at times, as some may slip by inspections unnoticed or otherwise be of indeterminate age; however, the type and scope of a defect can usually help to narrow things down. It’s very rare for the trucker themselves to be responsible for a defective part, although they are expected to perform thorough inspections of their own; they might be partially at fault if they negligently fail to inspect their vehicle and catch an obvious defect before it causes an issue. Similarly, manufacturers are rarely to blame due to stringent inspections and tests, but at times, they might be liable for faulty designs and errors in the manufacturing process.

In general, defects can be traced to those who’ve worked on and had a more recent hand in the truck’s performance: trucking companies, sellers, and maintenance workers can all be liable for defects and damages that they either create or allow to slip by unnoticed. Black boxes in truck accidents can help pinpoint the exact mechanical failure that occurred, which can then be attributed to specific establishments and individuals who worked on the area, helping to prove who’s to blame.

Truck Accident Attorneys in Arizona Can Help

Getting compensation for a truck accident is a complex affair, but with strong legal representation, it doesn’t have to be a difficult one. Give ELG a call at (623) 877-3600 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Phoenix truck accident attorneys, and learn more about the auto accident claims process and your unique case. We can relieve you of a significant legal and financial burden, securing you the best recovery possible while giving you time to focus on your personal life.