Most of the time, negligence by another party is the causing factor for accidents in general. Still, drivers, including big vehicle drivers like truck drivers, are advised to properly maintain their vehicle since they are funded enough by their truck company for repair charges. Failing to do so can only result in a prolonged delay in repairing, and it can impact the truck’s condition. Additionally, several defects in a truck can also lead to an unfortunate event.
Even minor defects can result in severe damages, and so it is never a good idea to drive a truck while having a defect, especially defects with brakes and steering. In case it led to an accident, approaching an Ontario 18 wheeler accident lawyer is an available legal option to be secured.
Here are some common truck defects to check:
- Damaged cargo adjuster
Usually, trucks are used to carry heavy cargo loads, and so they are placed with tight latches and straps. Due to the constant opening and closing of the strap for the cargo, the truck driver might not properly close it, or there might have been a defect in the adjuster to the cargo load. In such cases, it can get removed by itself when the truck driver hits a speed breaker, and the falling vehicle behind the truck might get damaged due to the fall of heavy cargo over it.
- The brake does not work.
All vehicles must have a robust working brake so the vehicle can be stopped whenever necessary, significantly if it is accidentally speeded up. Unfortunately, if there were a defect in the braking system, there are high chances of meeting with an accident. Additionally, hitting another car with a big vehicle like a truck can result in wrongful death.
- Malfunctioning headlamps
One of the crucial parts of a vehicle is the headlights. Without proper lighting in front of the vehicle, drivers cannot drive at ease since they might have to constantly check for pedestrians or any animal crossing the road, especially at night. Most truck drivers travel at night since the vehicle crowd is less, and if the headlamps do not work properly, the truck driver might get into an accident. If the road is a one-way road, the risk factor is high.
A truck driver must ensure that they have checked for the above-listed parts in their trucks before going on a drive since common mistakes can result in an impactful accident, and so it must be avoided upfront. A truck attorney can be sought for help if a truck driver is in trouble.