10605 Judicial Drive, Suite A-4 | Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Mechanical Failures That Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Large vehicles such as tractor-trailers, box trucks, dump trucks and pickups play important roles in commerce and construction. However, their size and weight makes them potential hazards on the road if not properly maintained. Mechanical failures in these vehicles can lead to catastrophic accidents, causing serious injuries and sometimes fatalities. Ascertaining the causes of such accidents is essential to determining the damages that injured victims can recover through legal claims.
These are the most common mechanical failures that can cause truck accidents:
Wheel separations — A wheel might come off due to improperly tightened lug nuts, damaged wheel hubs or axle-related problems. Not only is the truck’s stability thrown off, but the detached wheel can become a lethal projectile, weighing as much as 400 pounds. It can crash through other cars’ windshields, causing injury or death, and/or can become a road hazard.
Brake failures — A fully loaded tractor trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. The sheer mass of these trucks requires a long stopping distance. Common causes of brake failures include worn brake pads or linings, malfunctioning hydraulic systems, air leaks and inadequate maintenance. The results can be skids, rollovers, jackknifes and collisions with other vehicles.
Tire issues — Overloaded trucks, underinflated tires and excessive wear and tear can lead to blowouts or imbalance of weight, causing the truck to swerve uncontrollably or to skid into collisions.
Steering system failure — This can be caused by a faulty or poorly maintained drag link, cross tube, tie rod end or kingpin, or a leak in a hydraulic power steering system.
Transmission issues — Problems with the transmission parts, such as a clutch, valve, joint or pump, can result in difficulty shifting gears or in a sudden loss of power.
Faulty wiring or lighting — Electrical problems can cause brake lights, turn signals or headlights to fail, making the truck less visible to other drivers. They can also affect other vital systems.
Suspension systems failure — Worn out or misadjusted shocks and struts can lead to a bumpy and unstable ride, which in turn can result in a driver’s loss of control.
Axle damage — Axles can become bent or otherwise damaged due to hitting road obstructions or due to stress from overloading. This can significantly impact a truck's stability and handling, and in the worst cases can lead to axle breakage and/or wheel separation.
There are numerous other causes of truck accidents, such as overloaded cargo or driver error due to fatigue, distraction or inadequate training. Weather and road conditions can be contributing factors, as can the negligence of other drivers. An experienced truck accident attorney knows how to investigate and to determine the root causes of the crash and the parties who may be held responsible.
Pikrallidas & Probasco in Fairfax pursues compensation for individuals harmed in truck accidents in Virginia and Washington, D.C. We also have offices in Manassas, Centreville and Front Royal. Please call 703-267-2600 or contact us online for a free initial consultation.
10605 Judicial Drive,
Suite A-4,
Fairfax, Virginia 22030 United States of America
7290 Centreville Road,
Manassas, Virginia 20111 United States of America
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10605 Judicial Drive, Suite A-4
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Fairfax personal injury lawyers at Pikrallidas & Probasco are located in Fairfax, VA and serve clients in and around Fairfax, McLean, Oakton, Merrifield, Vienna, Annandale, Dunn Loring, Clifton, Fairfax Station, Mount Vernon, Falls Church, Reston, Chantilly, Alexandria, Centreville, Springfield, Herndon, Gainesville, Haymarket, Front Royal, Shenandoah County, Frederick County, Clarke County, Warren County, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Falls Church City and Manassas Park.
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