Who Is Responsible Of Semi Truck Accident Caused By A Mechanical Problem?

One of the complications of a commercial truck accident is that there are typically several parties that may be responsible for the semi’s crash. Mechanical issues may contribute to a truck accident. But identifying the precise mechanical problem will require a careful investigation by an experienced attorney working with a truck mechanic.

If you have been injured in a semi-truck accident and have questions about pursuing a claim for compensation, you need an experienced attorney who can identify every party that has responsibility for the accident. Our truck accident lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC, in Indianapolis, know the types of evidence needed to develop a strong injury claim. We have a truck mechanic on-call to help us respond quickly to truck accidents.

Our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience investigating truck accidents in Indiana and throughout the Midwest. It is important to act quickly before crucial evidence is lost. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a commercial truck, contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Potentially Liable Parties in a Semi-Truck Accident

Let’s consider some of the parties associated with the operation of a semi tractor-trailer and how they may be responsible for a truck’s mechanical failure:

• The Truck Driver. Commercial truck drivers are required to inspect their vehicles and prepare and sign a written report at the completion of each day’s work that lists any defect or deficiency discovered that would affect the safe operation of the vehicle or result in its mechanical breakdown (49 CFR 396.11). The failure to file a report or recognize a problem prior to an accident blamed on a mechanical breakdown could make the negligent driver partly liable.
• The Trucking Company. A trucking company has an obligation to ensure that the trucks it puts on the road are safe. The trucking company may be financially liable when an accident investigation proves a truck had mechanical problems.
• The Shipping or Cargo Company. Overloading a tractor-trailer and failing to balance cargo properly can place enough stress on a truck’s systems that it contributes to mechanical failure.
• The Truck Manufacturer. Sometimes a mechanical failure can be traced back to a flaw in the design or manufacture of a semi-truck. If the manufacturer knew or should have known about the flaw, the manufacturer may be held liable for an accident caused by the defect.
• The Truck Parts Manufacturer. The maker of truck parts – tires, brakes, steering systems, hitches. – maybe held liable if the failure of a part contributed to an accident and the manufacturer knew or should have known it was a faulty product. 
• The Truck Mechanic. A third-party vendor contracted to provide maintenance or repair services for a motor carrier’s fleet of trucks or an independent driver’s truck may be held liable if the vendor does not maintain the vehicle in accordance with the contract and that negligence contributes to an accident.

Any of the parties listed above may have liability for a truck accident involving mechanical problems. An experienced attorney at Craig, Kelley & Faultless can move quickly to secure access to the truck and its event data recorder and determine whether mechanical issues contributed to the crash.

Schedule A Free Case Review with Our Experienced Indianapolis Truck Accident Attorneys

If you have suffered severe injuries in a truck accident, contact an Indianapolis truck accident lawyer at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for a free case review. We can move promptly to determine whether a mechanical failure contributed to the accident, identify all responsible parties, and calculate the compensation you are due.

Contact us now at (317) 545-1760 or fill out our online form for a free consultation about a truck accident in Indiana.