Picture this: You are driving down the highway on your way to work or home, when suddenly, a massive 18-wheeler swerves into your lane just behind you. The driver is trying to stop but the brakes fail. In a split second, the truck slams into your car, causing chaos and devastation. What went wrong?
In many cases, crashes like this don’t happen because of bad weather or reckless driving—they happen because of poor vehicle maintenance. A truck that isn’t properly maintained is a deadly threat to everyone on the road.
Unfortunately, some trucking companies and drivers cut corners, ignoring safety checks to save time and money. When they do, innocent people pay the price.
But who is responsible when something like this happens? That’s a tricky question to answer and should ideally be discussed with a Bakersfield truck accident lawyer. If your life was turned upside down by a preventable truck crash, you deserve answers. And a lawyer can provide you with these answers.
What Is Poor Vehicle Maintenance?
Think about your own car. You wouldn’t drive it for years without an oil change, right? You’d replace worn-out brakes before they failed. You’d fix a busted headlight so you could see at night.
Now, imagine an 80,000-pound semi-truck on the road with bad brakes, bald tires, or broken lights. That’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Poor vehicle maintenance happens when trucking companies or drivers neglect necessary repairs and routine inspections. Semi-trucks drive a lot every day and average over 60,000 miles each year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Without proper upkeep, parts wear down, systems fail, and the risk of accidents skyrockets. Sometimes, it’s a case of laziness. Other times, it’s about cutting costs. Some trucking companies ignore maintenance to save money, thinking they can get away with it. But skipping a repair today can lead to a catastrophic crash tomorrow.
The truth is, truck maintenance isn’t optional—it’s a legal and moral responsibility. When it’s ignored, lives are put at risk. And if you have been injured because of a poorly maintained truck, you shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences alone.
The Potentially Disastrous Consequences of Poor Vehicle Maintenance in Trucks
A poorly maintained truck is a ticking time bomb. When something goes wrong, the results can be devastating. Unlike a small car, a semi-truck can’t just pull over easily when a problem pops up. If the brakes fail or a tire blows out, disaster happens in seconds.
Imagine a truck barreling down the highway at 65 mph. Suddenly, the brakes give out. The driver slams the pedal, but nothing happens. The truck plows into the car in front of it, crushing it like a tin can. That’s not just a scary thought. It’s a real scenario that happens far too often.
The consequences of poor truck maintenance include:
- Deadly crashes: When a truck loses control, smaller vehicles take the brunt of the impact.
- Severe injuries: Broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even amputations are common.
- Massive property damage: Trucks don’t just hit one car; they can take out multiple vehicles in one crash.
- Traffic chaos: A single truck accident can shut down an entire highway for hours or even days.
Worst of all, these accidents are preventable. A simple brake check or tire replacement could mean the difference between life and death. When trucking companies and drivers ignore maintenance, they gamble with people’s lives. And when that negligence leads to an accident, they should be held accountable.
Common Types of Poor Vehicle Maintenance in Trucks
Not all truck accidents happen because of reckless driving. Sometimes, the real danger is hidden under the hood—or in the tires, brakes, or engine. When trucking companies and drivers skip routine maintenance, small problems turn into major hazards.
Here are some of the most common (and most dangerous) maintenance failures in trucks:
Brake Failures
Brakes are a truck’s lifeline. But they wear out fast, especially on heavy loads and long hauls. If a trucking company ignores brake inspections, they can overheat, fail, or stop working altogether. A fully loaded truck with bad brakes can’t stop in time and that can lead to a deadly crash. According to a large truck crash causation study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), brake failure is the leading vehicle-related cause of truck accidents, accounting for nearly 30% of all crashes involving trucks in the country.
Tire Blowouts
Truck tires take a beating. If they aren’t checked and replaced regularly, they can blow out at high speeds. A sudden tire failure can make a truck veer out of control, jackknife, or even flip over. You have probably seen shredded truck tires on the highway. Well, each one is a reminder of what could have been a catastrophic crash.
Steering Issues
If a truck’s steering system isn’t maintained, it can fail without warning. A driver may struggle to turn the wheel or lose control completely. On a busy highway, that’s a nightmare for everyone nearby.
Broken or Malfunctioning Lights
Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals are critical for visibility. If they are burned out or broken, other drivers may not see the truck until it’s too late. At night or in bad weather, a poorly lit truck is a serious hazard.
Engine and Transmission Failures
A truck’s engine and transmission must be in top shape to handle long-distance hauls. If they fail, the truck can suddenly stall or stop in the middle of a busy road. Other drivers may not have enough time to react, leading to multi-car pileups.
Faulty Cargo Securement
Trucks carry heavy, oversized loads. If cargo isn’t secured properly, it can shift, fall off, or make the truck tip over. Flying debris or an overturned semi can turn a routine drive into a deadly disaster.
Worn-Out Windshield Wipers
It sounds minor, but worn-out wipers can turn a rainstorm into a visibility nightmare. If a driver can’t see the road ahead, they can’t react in time to avoid a crash.
Every one of these issues can be prevented with routine maintenance. But when trucking companies cut corners or ignore safety checks, these risks pile up. And when something finally goes wrong, it’s innocent drivers who pay the price. If you were hurt in a crash caused by a poorly maintained truck, you deserve justice.
Who Is Responsible for a Truck’s Vehicle Maintenance?
Keeping a truck safe isn’t just one person’s job. In most cases, it takes an entire team. When maintenance is ignored, multiple parties could be responsible for putting lives at risk. So, who exactly should be making sure these massive vehicles stay in top shape?
Truck Drivers – The Ones Who Should Notice Problems
Truck drivers aren’t mechanics, but they are responsible for inspecting their trucks before every trip. They should check for worn tires, faulty brakes, broken lights, and other obvious issues. If something isn’t right, they must report it and refuse to drive until it’s fixed. Ignoring a problem and hitting the road anyway is pure negligence.
Trucking Companies – The Ones Who Cut Corners
Trucking companies make money when their trucks are moving, not when they are in the shop for inspections and repairs. Some companies delay or ignore maintenance to save time and increase profits. But skipping routine inspections or failing to fix known issues puts everyone at risk. If a company prioritizes money over safety, they can and should be held accountable.
- Fact: According to a study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck carriers targeted for interventions due to poor vehicle maintenance have a 65% higher future accident rate than the national average.
Maintenance Crews – The Ones Who Should Be Fixing Problems
Trucks need regular maintenance, just like any vehicle. If a repair shop or in-house maintenance crew fails to properly inspect, fix, or replace worn-out parts, they could be responsible for an accident. A rushed or sloppy repair job can be just as dangerous as not fixing the truck at all.
Manufacturers – When the Parts Themselves Are Faulty
Sometimes, the problem isn’t neglect—it’s a defective part. If brakes, tires, or other components fail due to a manufacturing defect, the company that made them may be liable. Faulty truck parts have led to massive recalls and deadly crashes.
Cargo Loaders – The Hidden Danger of Improperly Secured Loads
Not many people think about this, but improperly loaded cargo can make a truck harder to control or even cause it to tip over. The company or workers responsible for loading the truck must ensure that everything is secured correctly. If a poorly loaded truck leads to an accident, they could share the blame.
In some truck accidents, responsibility falls on just one party. In others, multiple people or companies may have played a role in the failure that led to the crash. That’s why, most often than not, you cannot identify liable parties unless you contact a skilled truck accident lawyer to investigate your accident.
Can You File a Claim if a Truck Accident Was Caused by Poor Vehicle Maintenance?
Absolutely. If a truck’s poor maintenance caused your accident, you have the right to seek compensation. But trucking companies and insurers won’t make it easy. They will try to shift blame, downplay their negligence, or even deny that maintenance was an issue at all.
Proving That Poor Maintenance Caused the Crash
To file a successful claim, you need to show that the truck’s bad condition directly led to the accident. This isn’t always easy since trucking companies don’t like admitting fault. But the right evidence can make your case strong, including:
- Maintenance and inspection records – Did the truck get regular inspections, or were repairs ignored?
- Truck’s black box data – This can show if the truck was malfunctioning before the crash.
- Expert analysis – A mechanic or engineer can prove that poor maintenance caused the failure.
- Eyewitness reports – Did other drivers notice smoke, sparks, or parts falling off the truck?
- Accident scene photos and videos – Skid marks (or the lack of them) can indicate brake failure.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
Every state has a statute of limitations, meaning you only have a limited time to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long, you could lose your chance to recover damages. In California, for example, you have two years from the date of the incident to sue the liable party, according to the official website of the Judicial Branch of California. A truck accident attorney can help you act fast, gather the right evidence, and take on the liable party(s) before it’s too late.
How Can an Attorney Help if Your Truck Accident Was Caused by Poor Vehicle Maintenance?
Let’s be honest—a truck accident is one of the worst things that happen to you or anyone you love. You are in excruciating pain, medical bills keep piling up, and the trucking company is already working against you. Their insurance team isn’t looking out for your best interests. They are looking for ways to pay you as little as possible—or nothing at all.
That’s why you need someone in your corner. An attorney levels the playing field and fights for the compensation you actually deserve. Here’s how they help:
- Getting the proof before it disappears: Trucking companies don’t like admitting fault. In fact, the moment a crash happens, they go into damage control mode. They might “lose” maintenance records, fix the truck before an inspection, or push a false narrative about what caused the accident. A lawyer moves fast to lock down the evidence and ensure nothing is lost or tampered with.
- Holding the right parties accountable: Truck accidents aren’t always just the driver’s fault. Sometimes, it’s the company cutting corners or a repair shop doing a bad job. A lawyer will find out who dropped the ball. If multiple people are at fault, your attorney will go after all of them to get you the maximum compensation.
- Taking on the insurance companies: Trucking insurance companies are not your friends. Their job is to save money, and they have teams of truck accident lawyers working against you. An attorney knows their tactics and fights back. They handle the calls, negotiations, and legal battles while you focus on healing.
- Going to court if necessary: Most truck accident cases settle before trial. But if the trucking company refuses to play fair, a lawyer won’t hesitate to take them to court. Sometimes, just the threat of a lawsuit is enough to make them increase their offer.
A Seasoned Truck Accident Lawyer Can Hold Responsible Parties Liable
With an attorney representing your interests, you can focus on recovery while they handle everything else. Remember: your accident wasn’t just bad luck—it was preventable. Someone chose to skip maintenance, ignore safety, or cut corners. And now, you are the one suffering. That’s not fair. A Bakersfield personal injury attorney can help you fight back, demand justice, and get the compensation you need to move forward. Call today.