Commercial vehicles require routine inspection and maintenance to operate safely. Negligent truck maintenance places lives at risk on roads in Houston and throughout Texas. If you were injured because a truck had malfunctioning brakes or steering, missing reflectors, or due to any lapse in maintenance, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your losses.
The truck accident lawyers at D. Miller & Associates fight for victims injured by negligently maintained commercial trucks. If your claim has merit, we will investigate every detail and pursue the full compensation you deserve for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other hardships.
With more than $650 million recovered for our clients, we are the Houston truck accident law firm Texans trust when negligent maintenance leads to serious injuries.
Truck Maintenance Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) places strict requirements on the maintenance of commercial vehicles, including 18-wheelers, tankers, service rigs, and other trucks commonly found on Texas highways.
Some of the key FMCSA rules regarding truck maintenance include:
- Systematic Maintenance Obligation – Motor carriers must “systematically inspect, repair, and maintain, or cause to be systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained, all motor vehicles subject to its control.”
- Parts and Accessories – All parts and accessories must be kept in safe and proper operating condition at all times.
- Maintenance Records – Motor carriers must keep records for every commercial vehicle they operate, including inspection history, repairs performed, and scheduled maintenance dates.
- Driver Reporting Requirement – Any driver who receives a roadside inspection report must deliver it to their motor carrier within 24 hours.
- Carrier Certification Deadline – Once in possession of a roadside inspection report, the motor carrier must certify that all violations have been corrected and return the completed report within 15 days of the inspection.
- Annual Periodic Inspection – All commercial vehicles must undergo a yearly inspection covering brakes, tires, wheels, steering and suspension systems, lighting, coupling devices, fuel system, and chassis components.
When trucking companies cut corners on inspections, skip required repairs, or fail to meet FMCSA regulations, the consequences can be catastrophic. Mechanical failures caused by neglect cause serious injuries and deaths on Texas roads every year.
The Dangers of Negligent Maintenance
With semi-trucks commonly weighing as much as 80,000 pounds and traveling at highway speeds, a lapse in maintenance can cause a catastrophic crash. Some of the most dangerous maintenance failures in the trucking industry include:
Brake Systems Pushed Past Their Limits
A semi-truck with worn brake pads, leaking air lines, or other brake system defects is dangerous to everyone on the road, especially in hilly terrain or stop-and-go traffic. FMCSA regulations require brake systems to be inspected by certified professionals. When carriers skip or rush those inspections, the results can be deadly.
Tires Worn Thin or Improperly Inflated
A tire blowout at highway speed can send an 18-wheeler out of control while spreading debris across multiple lanes. FMCSA regulations require tires to meet minimum tread depth standards and remain properly inflated at all times. Carriers are responsible for ensuring worn or damaged tires are removed from service before a truck returns to the road.
Failed Lighting Systems
When brake lights or turn signals go dark, a fully loaded rig can appear out of nowhere in low-visibility conditions. FMCSA regulations require all lighting and reflective devices to be fully operational at all times. Carriers must inspect and repair any malfunctioning lights before a vehicle returns to service.
Worn Steering and Suspension Systems
What starts as a slight shake in the wheel or a bit of looseness in the steering column can quickly turn into serious control issues once the truck is fully loaded and moving at highway speed.
FMCSA regulations require steering components and suspension systems to be maintained in safe operating condition at all times, with any defects addressed before the vehicle is returned to service.
Unsecured Parts and Failed Components
A missing bolt or worn part might not seem urgent in the yard, but at highway speeds, those small issues can escalate into major mechanical failures. FMCSA requires all vehicle parts and accessories to be properly secured and maintained so they do not pose a risk of detachment or system failure during operation.
Who Is Liable for Negligent Maintenance?
Identifying liability in a truck accident caused by a maintenance failure requires a thorough investigation into who was responsible for maintaining that vehicle in a safe operating condition. An experienced truck accident lawyer with knowledge of trucking industry standards can trace the failure back to its source and identify every party that shares responsibility.
In a truck crash caused by negligent maintenance, liable parties may include:
- The Trucking Company – The carrier has a legal duty to ensure all vehicles are properly inspected, repaired, and maintained. When companies cut corners, delay repairs, or pressure drivers to keep unsafe trucks on the road, they can be held responsible for resulting crashes.
- The Truck Driver – Drivers are required to perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections and report safety issues. If a driver ignores visible defects or fails to report a known problem, they may share responsibility for an accident.
- Maintenance Contractors or Repair Shops – Third-party mechanics or fleet maintenance providers can be liable if missed defects or substandard work contributed to the mechanical failure.
- Parts Manufacturers – If a crash is caused by a defective component, such as faulty brakes, tires, or steering parts, the manufacturer may be held responsible under product liability laws.
- Cargo Loaders or Shippers – Improperly loaded or secured cargo can place excess strain on braking, suspension, or tire systems, increasing the risk of mechanical failure and contributing to liability.
A thorough truck accident investigation can establish exactly where the maintenance failure occurred and build the evidence needed to hold every responsible party accountable.
How D. Miller & Associates Can Help
When a truck accident is caused by negligent maintenance, the evidence that proves it is often in the hands of the trucking company. Maintenance logs, inspection records, and repair histories can be altered, withheld, or destroyed if you do not act quickly.
At D. Miller & Associates, we move fast. Our team knows where to look, what to demand, and how to preserve the evidence that builds a winning case. With 66 years of combined experience and more than $650 million recovered for our clients, we have the knowledge and resources to take on the largest carriers and their insurers.
We understand the FMCSA regulations that govern commercial vehicle maintenance, and we know how to use violations of those standards to establish negligence. From the initial investigation through every stage of your claim, we build the strongest possible case on your behalf. If the trucking company refuses to do right by you, we are ready to take them to court.
You pay nothing unless we win.
Get Strong Representation From Trusted Legal Heroes
At D. Miller & Associates, we can uncover the root causes of truck accidents on Texas roads, including those arising from negligent maintenance.
Our Legal Heroes have won more than 36,000 cases on behalf of the injured. We provide every client with the attentive service and personalized representation they deserve.
Contact us to arrange a free consultation with an experienced negligent maintenance attorney serving clients in Houston and throughout Texas.
