A poorly maintained truck is an accident waiting to happen. The responsibility for truck maintenance is shared by truck drivers and the trucking company, but ultimately the trucking company holds the majority or all of the responsibility for an accident that is caused by inadequate truck maintenance. Truck drivers play a big role in catching problems with their trucks. They are required to inspect the truck on a daily basis.
Trucking Company Responsibility
Trucking companies are required to keep very detailed records of the maintenance on their trucks. This includes records of repair requests made by drivers, the parts purchased, and the actual repairs that are made. Plus, they must have annual inspections by a qualified inspector.
A trucking company cannot legally require or allow a truck driver to drive a truck that needs repair. Truck drivers are to report any needed repairs that they discover in their daily inspections or while driving. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) agents may also declare a truck out of service if its inspectors discover that the truck is unsafe.
Driver Inspections
Drivers must inspect their trucks at the beginning and end of each day. These inspections include:
- Tires
- Wheels and rims
- Service brakes
- Parking brake
- Horn
- Lighting devices
- Reflectors
- Windshield wipers
- Coupling devices
- Rear vision mirrors
- Emergency equipment
Drivers also have to review the post-trip inspection report from the last driver of the truck and if repairs were requested they have to get a certification from the trucking company that the repairs were truly performed.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a trucking accident, please contact us today. Your initial consultation is free, and we work on a contingency fee basis so you don’t pay unless you get paid.
