Improper maintenance can lead to a trucking accident

Owning a vehicle comes with a lot of responsibility. In order to operate an automobile on New York roads, one has to ensure it is kept in good repair. Trucking companies and truck drivers, in particular, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, are supposed to go above and beyond when it comes to inspections, maintenance and repair. Failing to do so could lead to a trucking accident.

Typically, personal vehicles are inspected either yearly or when various maintenance tasks — such as oil changes — are completed. For commercial vehicles, inspections are to be completed daily by drivers, approximately every three months for some components and one year for others by professionals. Detailed records of these inspections must be created and kept for at least three to 12 months. If any issues are noted during a check, the vehicle generally has to be pulled from service until the matter is resolved.

Inspection, maintenance and repair of semitrailers and other commercial haulers matters because these monster machines can do a lot of damage when an accident occurs. By ensuring these vehicles are properly maintained, trucking companies and their drivers are not only protecting themselves and their equipment, they are also protecting the general public. Failure to perform inspections, maintenance and repairs according to the FMCSA guidelines will only come back to hurt truck drivers and their employers if accidents occur, as these records are some of the first pieces of information looked at when accidents happen.

Anyone who has been injured or lost a loved one in a trucking accident in the state of New York may have legal recourse, particularly if improper maintenance contributed to the event. Legal counsel will know where to look for the information needed to establish that inspections, maintenance and repairs may have been lacking. Those cases that are successfully navigated may result in the victims or — in the event of fatality — achieving fair compensation for any losses deemed recoverable according to applicable laws.