Mechanical defects are not unique to a certain type of vehicle or vehicle manufacturer, but can occur at any time. While Texas laws attempt to curb the prevalence of accidents caused by mechanical defects through requiring annual inspections, many vehicles will slip by unnoticed. However, one small mechanical defect can cause a devastating accident. Mechanical defects are often the responsibility of drivers (or driver’s companies), although may also be the responsibility of the vehicle manufacturer to fix or recall. If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident caused by mechanical defects, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries.

The most common type of defects which affect trucks include:

• Defective brakes
• Tire defects

These two mechanical defects can cause devastating accidents due to the driver’s inability to stop the vehicle or adequately grip the road. While mechanical defects should be spotted prior to the accident, some of these defects are hidden until the moment when the accident occurs. However, despite the reasoning for the defects, any malfunction in a heavy truck can cause tragic consequences to any nearby driver.

While truck maintenance is often the responsibility of the truck driver or trucking company, the manufacturer of the truck may also be at fault in selling a truck which was laden with mechanical defects. It is therefore important to contact a personal injury attorney soon after a truck accident which was caused by a mechanical defect to determine the appropriate party for the claim. While the truck driver and trucking company will often be marginally at fault for a mechanical defect caused during the manufacture of the vehicle, the manufacturer may be ultimately liable for the damages.

The responsible party may be held liable for the following expenses:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Lost wages
• Future earnings
• Pain and suffering

An experienced personal injury attorney will assist you in determining the amount of damages you are entitled to receive after a truck accident caused by mechanical defects, and will work with all the parties to determine the correct negligent party. Any mechanical defects should be brought to light soon after the accident to prevent future accidents from occurring and to ensure that the manufacturer or trucking company will take the appropriate steps to correct the issue.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident caused by mechanical defects, do not hesitate to contact the Malley Law Firm. Tony Malley has years of experience in assisting clients with their truck accident claims stemming from mechanical defects. Texas requires that all vehicles (whether car or heavy truck) pass a yearly inspection. The failure to keep a vehicle in working order, or the failure of a manufacturer to initiate a recall, could lead to a claim for damages after an accident occurs. Contact our Beaumont office today for your initial free consultation.