What safety inspections are required for trucks in Florida?
It is vital for truck owners and drivers to regularly inspect the following to reduce the risk of a truck accident:
- Brakes
- Steering systems
- Tires
- Coupling devices
- Indicators, reflectors, and brake lights
- Windshield wipers and mirrors
Any malfunction of any of these essential items can spell disaster on the road. Tire blowouts can cause a truck to jackknife. A brake failure can cause a truck to slam into the back of whatever vehicle is in front of it. Brake lights that don’t work can cause someone traveling behind the truck to slam into the back of the trailer at night when visibility is lowest. All of these accidents are entirely preventable when truck drivers take the necessary steps to take care of their vehicles.
Who is liable for a truck Accident caused by maintenance failures?
If a maintenance failure leads to a preventable truck accident, the person or entity responsible can be held liable for compensating the victim for their medical bills, lost wages, physical and mental pain and suffering, and more.
Any of the following parties may be held responsible for an accident:
- The truck driver who may have failed to inspect the truck before driving it or for ignoring a piece of broken equipment and failing to make the necessary repair
- The trucking company who may have negligently hired a careless or unqualified driver, failed to maintain its truck, or failed to ensure that its truck was equipped with the necessary safety gear
- The mechanic for failing to conduct the proper maintenance or for installing faulty parts
- The equipment manufacturer for creating a defective and unsafe product