West Palm Beach Mechanical Defects Attorneys

Sharing the road with large commercial trucks, such as 18-wheelers, is an inevitability for almost all drivers. Unfortunately, because of their sheer size and weight, commercial trucks and 18-wheelers pose a threat to all surrounding motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians in West Palm Beach. Even with all the modern safety equipment that passenger cars utilize, the size difference between a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck means that, in the event of an accident, motorists can suffer terrible losses that could affect them for the rest of their life.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a trucking accident, the attorneys at Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. can help you pursue the financial compensation you are owed. Large commercial trucks must be designed, manufactured, and maintained correctly to ensure the safety of the truck driver and everyone else on the road. However, as mechanical defect attorneys in West Palm Beach, we know these safety procedures are not always followed as closely as they should be. Our attorneys understand that certain corners are often cut, which is why we dedicate ourselves to fighting for the rights of truck accident victims.

The attorneys at Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. can help you determine if you were the victim of a mechanical defect, and fight for the financial compensation you deserve. Call us anytime time at (561) 689-8180 to speak with a skilled legal professional about how we can help you get the damages you need to cope with your injury and move forward with your life.

Mechanical Defects or Malfunctions that Contribute to Truck Accidents

Because of the grave implications of a truck accident, the cause of the incident should be promptly identified to prevent future injuries. A large commercial truck has complex mechanical systems that may have potentially contributed to the accident. The following system failures are some of the common mechanical defects or malfunctions in trucks that cause crashes in West Palm Beach:

• Brake Malfunction: Among the many complex mechanical systems in a truck that can potentially malfunction, the brakes pose the most significant risk. If the brakes on a truck malfunction, it could be next to impossible for the driver to stop the truck safely in an emergency. The consequences of a defective braking system on a large commercial truck can be catastrophic for the victims of a trucking accident.
• Insufficient Underride Protection: One of the most dangerous types of collisions that a personal vehicle can have with a commercial truck involves a truck with a lack of underride protection. The size and weight of a large commercial truck alone are enough to pose a significant threat to smaller vehicles in the case of an accident. But the truck’s height also puts it in a position that allows smaller cars to slide underneath the trailer in a collision. Because of this danger, the law requires that trucks have adequate underride protection. However, not all truck drivers and trucking companies comply with these basic safety standards.
• Trailer Malfunction: A large commercial truck and the trailer that is attached to it can weight up to 80,000 pounds. An empty trailer alone can weight up to 12,000 pounds, and when it is loaded up with cargo, the trailer can make up a large percentage of the truck’s weight. Trucking companies are expected to follow specific protocols when hitching and loading the trailer compartments of their commercial trucks. When these protocols are ignored or not followed correctly, dangerous accidents can happen.
• Tire Defects: Numerous defects can affect the integrity of tires on large trucks. Truck drivers and companies must ensure that a truck’s tires are not over- or under-filled, are not too old, will not lose traction in certain conditions, and are rotated regularly, among other safety precautions.

These severe defects have the potential to cause deadly accidents. It is the responsibility of the trucking company to make sure that it’s fleet is appropriately maintained to prevent these defects from causing harm to the operator and others on the road.

Contact Us

There is a reason why so many people in West Palm Beach and across the nation have turned to the truck accident attorneys at Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. for help with their mechanical defect or malfunction injury claims. We have earned a reputation for defending those who have been hurt by the reckless or negligent actions of major trucking companies, and we are not afraid to go to bat for you. When you work with Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., you know that you have a team that has the right experience and track record of success to handle your case.

The costs you are facing in the aftermath of your accident are likely incredibly expensive, and at Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., we believe that you should not be forced to shoulder these financial burdens on your own. Let us put our years of experience to work for you by helping you take legal action against those responsible for your unnecessary suffering. Get started today by calling us at (561) 689-8180.