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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve been hurt in an accident with a large commercial vehicle, you likely have many questions. We are here to help answer them, and help you get the justice that you deserve. Call us at 561.689.8180 to schedule a confidential consultation with our team, and read some of our frequently asked questions below.

Mechanical defect or malfunction claims cover a complex and broad legal ground. Pinpointing who is responsible requires the assistance and testimony of an experienced attorney. Additionally, every state has its laws and specific statutes that govern mechanical defect or malfunction liability cases. If you or a loved one have suffered as the result of a malfunction or potentially defective product, immediately contact a skilled attorney that will evaluate your options and fight to recover your damages.

Determining liability for a mechanical defect or malfunction can be a difficult task and requires the assistance of an experienced attorney. For instance, the manufacturer or designer of a truck’s braking system, the trucking company, or a third-party maintenance contractor could each be held liable for a brake malfunction. An experienced mechanical defect attorney can investigate the accident to find where the malfunction originated and determine who is responsible. If the attorney can prove that the malfunction resulted from an imbalance in the braking system, the party responsible for inspecting and maintaining the brakes would be liable for the failure. On the other hand, if the cause of the malfunction were a defect, the company that manufactured or designed the brake system would be held responsible.

If a mechanical defect or malfunction on a large truck has caused grave pain and suffering for you or a loved one, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Once an experienced attorney can identify the responsible party, you can turn your attention to developing a legal strategy and seek the compensation in line with the kind of long-term issues you and your loved ones will face. Examples include the following:

  • The cost of emergency care and medical bills
  • The cost of rehabilitative treatments
  • The cost of pharmaceutical therapies
  • The cost of lost wages
  • The persistent pain and suffering the accident caused
  • The property damage to your vehicle

Only an experienced truck accident attorney can confirm what compensation you might be eligible for and help you recover what you are owed. Don’t wait until it is too late to file your mechanical defect accident claim.

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.

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Last Updated : February 10, 2022
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