Mechanical Semi-Truck Issues: Can They Lead to Truck Accident Lawsuits in Tampa?
Semi-trucks are constantly breaking down in Florida. While trucking companies view this as simply a shipping delay, mechanical issues also have the potential to cause serious truck accidents in Tampa. If you believe that your truck accident was caused by some kind of mechanical issue, you should discuss your next steps with a Tampa truck accident attorney.
Semi-Trailer Swings Loose and Crushes SUV in Tampa Bay Area
On June 27th, WFLA reported that a driver and her passenger had suffered injuries after a semi-trailer had crushed their SUV. The incident occurred on I-75, and it involved a semi-truck hauling an oversized load. At some point, a worker unlocked the rear trailer during a lane change. However, something went wrong, and the trailer swung out before crushing the SUV.
Both victims suffered what first responders described as “minor injuries.” The SUV was so badly crushed that it took cleanup crews a considerable amount of time to dislodge it from underneath the trailer. To say that this incident could have been worse would be a gross understatement.
Driver Dies After Crashing Into Disabled Semi-Truck
Also on June 27th, another driver lost their life after crashing into the back of a semi-truck on I-75. Officials say that the semi-truck had stopped near an exit ramp after becoming disabled. The exact circumstances of the accident are not exactly clear, but it seems as though the driver may have had little warning about the disabled truck up ahead. Fatal rear-end accidents involving semi-trucks are quite common.
Mechanical Issues May Represent Negligence
Truckers and trucking companies have a legal duty of care to keep their vehicles in adequate mechanical condition. If they fail in this duty of care, they may become liable for any resulting injuries. Examples include poorly maintained brakes that fail in critical situations, suspension issues, detaching trailers, detaching wheels, and engine problems that cause trucks to stall and stop in the middle of roads.
Even if a driver is partially responsible for their own injuries, a direct lawsuit against a trucking company may still be possible if the underlying mechanical issues were the “main cause” of the accident. For example, a truck might have broken down and stopped in a dangerous area where parking is not permitted. If a driver subsequently crashes into the back of the truck, one could conceivably argue that the crash would not have happened if the truck had been properly maintained by the company.
Can a Truck Accident Attorney in Tampa Help Me?
As recent incidents have clearly demonstrated, mechanical issues can cause truck accidents in Tampa. They may also “contribute” to truck accidents, paving the way for successful truck accident claims even if the victims are partially responsible for their own injuries or deaths. If you suspect that a mechanical issue may have caused or contributed to your truck accident, contact Anderson & Anderson at 813-251-0072 for more information.
Sources:
wfla.com/news/pasco-county/semi-truck-crash-on-i-75-causes-serious-delays-in-wesley-chapel/
winknews.com/news/charlotte/1-person-killed-after-car-hits-semi-truck-on-i-75-in-charlotte-county/article_17db9b88-ac5e-4bf3-ad4a-14b9d814af18.html
