Negligent Big Rig Maintenance leads to Injury and Death

The FMCSA oversees truck safety on our U.S. roadways. A raft of regulations exists governing truck maintenance, inspections, and driver behavior. But the Houston truck injury attorneys at Denena Points, PC know that negligent truck maintenance continues to be a problem. When a critical piece of truck equipment fails, the vehicle can go out of control and leave a trail of serious injuries or deaths in its wake, as well as road damage and frustrating traffic delays for hundreds of other road users.

For example, Friday morning on the 610 East Loop in Houston, the rear axle of a tractor-trailer truck broke off, sending the truck into a spin. The semi ended up in the middle of the freeway facing oncoming traffic. Another 18-wheeler and an SUV were also involved in the crash. The accident shut down all lanes of the East Loop near the Port of Houston until about 1 p.m. (Dale Lezon, Houston Chronicle, 5/9/14)

The news report didn’t mention what had caused the axle to separate from the semi. It will likely require a thorough investigation before the cause can be determined with certainty. But our Houston truck injury attorneys note that negligent maintenance or a failure to conduct a proper pre-trip truck inspection could easily have contributed to the major 3-vehicle wreck.

7 Steps in Pre-Trip Inspections of 18-Wheelers

1. Check that the axle seal is not leaking, and check the oil level.

2. Check the inside wheels on the axles to make sure they’re not bent, cracked or damaged, and check for non-factory welds.

3. Check for missing, loose, or corroded lug nuts.

4. Check the hose and couplings for the brake chamber for cracks, leaks, or wear.

5. Check the brake chamber itself for secure mounting, cracks, air leaks, and missing or damaged parts.

6. Check the brake drums for cracks, holes, or dents.

7. Check that the 5^th wheel is securely mounted, all safety pins and latches are present and secured, the kingpin is not bent, and the jaws are locked around the kingpin.

These 7 steps actually represent only a few of the specifics that must be checked before a tractor-trailer truck pulls out into traffic. The tractor must be fully inspected, and the trailer and its parts must be inspected for safety too. Proper inspection could ensure that the truck’s tires won’t blow out, the cargo won’t spill, the trailer won’t separate, and the axles won’t break off while the truck is in transit.

But truckers and trucking companies are under strong pressure to make as many deliveries as they can in a short period of time. And companies can never seem to find enough qualified truck drivers to haul their cargo, so they try to make do with fewer drivers. Our Houston truck injury attorneys point out that this pressure could easily lead to missed or negligent inspections and truck maintenance.

If You’ve been Injured in a Big Rig Wreck, You may be Entitled to Full Financial Compensation for Your Injuries. Contact Us To Learn How

At the Law Firm of Denena Points, PC, we believe that needlessly injured accident victims deserve strong advocacy and protection of their rights against big trucking companies and the powerful insurance companies that would try to minimize the value of their losses. Insurance companies and trucking companies working to protect their bottom lines could leave you hurting and incapable of meeting the heavy financial burdens you face after a serious truck accident injury.

We could help you hold them financially accountable for your losses from negligent truck maintenance, inspection, or driving. Call us today at 713-807-9500 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a FREE initial legal consultation to discuss your injuries. We will meet with you face to face to hear your story. You have no obligation to hire an attorney. And our Board Certified Houston truck injury attorneys’ in-depth knowledge of 18-wheeler accident cases could help you make informed decisions about your future following a serious crash.