Each year, more than 400,000 truck drivers are involved in a crash, about 40% of which are single-vehicle. At a glance, that number seems very high. However, these accidents aren’t always due to driver error. An increasing number of crashes, especially those involving a single vehicle, are due to negligent maintenance. But just how many truck crashes are caused by equipment failure? Let’s take a closer look.
Contributing Factors
A crash causation study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that vehicle failure was the critical reason behind about 10% of truck crashes. However, maintenance issues were a contributing factor to many, many more.
According to the FMSCA study, maintenance issues were a contributing factor (but not the direct cause) of nearly 40% of truck accidents. Some of the top contributing factors include:
- Failed Brakes: 29%
- Tire Problems: 6%
- Improperly Loaded Trailer: 4%
The Impact of Poor Maintenance
The specific maintenance issues noted above not only contribute to an increase in crashes but more fatal crashes. Failed brakes, for example, prevent truck drivers from slowing down, which means crashes tend to have more force and are more likely to cause catastrophic damage.
Responsibility for these issues often falls on the trucking company. Typically, trucking companies own the vehicles, and it is their responsibility to ensure their fleer is getting routine maintenance and that every vehicle in their care is safe to drive.
That said, demonstrating a truck accident was caused by negligent maintenance can be difficult. For that reason, if you’ve been in a truck accident, it’s wise to discuss your case with an experienced truck accident attorney who knows how to collect the evidence needed to make your case as strong as possible.
If you’d like to discuss the impact of your crash with an experienced truck accident attorney, don’t hesitate to call upon Maring Williams Law Office. Our firm serves injured parties across North Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana. Send us an email or call us today at (701) 402-6644 for a free consultation.