Home Truck Accidents Equipment Failure

Virginia truck equipment failure attorneys


If I was hurt in a Virginia truck accident due to equipment failure, what can a court do for me?

When a truck crashes into you because of defective equipment, it’s definitely not your fault. Under Virginia law, you may be able to have medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, and pain and suffering paid by the person (or company) at fault.

Insurers for the responsible parties will try to get you to settle for nothing or less than you deserve. Don’t let that happen. In fact, don’t even speak with them. Instead, talk to us at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys. We know these cases well, and we will give you guidance for moving forward.

There is no charge to talk to us, and our Virginia truck accident attorneys do not get paid unless you do. Call (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777 today.

Back to Top

What equipment usually fails?

A study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that 10 percent of all tractor-trailer accidents were caused by vehicle failure. These were the systems and parts of tractor-trailers most prone to failure:

  • Brakes
  • Wheels and tires
  • Steering
  • Trailer hitches and attachments
  • Suspension
  • Body parts (doors, hoods, etc.)
  • Clutch and transmission system

Other tractor-trailer parts that cause accidents include broken mirrors, burned-out running lights, defective underride rails, and faulty tie-downs. (Tie-downs are the straps used to secure cargo.) The tie-downs are particularly troublesome because they can break or become unattached, and then unsecured cargo can fall off the truck or move, shifting the trailer’s center of gravity. Jackknife accidents often happen this way.

Back to Top

Who’s to blame when truck parts fail and cause an accident?

Several different people or companies may be held responsible for equipment failure on a big rig, beginning with the truck driver.

  • A tractor-trailer operator (the driver) is required to do a pre-trip inspection of his vehicle. A pre-trip inspection is designed to make sure that both the tractor and trailer are in roadworthy condition. Discovering an underinflated tire or an improperly loaded trailer before a trip can save lives.
  • Another "party" that may be held responsible for truck equipment failure is the trucking company, which is required to keep all its vehicles up to FMCSA regulations.
  • Finally, the designer and manufacturer of a faulty truck part can he held responsible for putting a defective product on the market.

Back to Top

We deal with trucking companies so you don’t have to

While commercial trucks - also known as tractor-trailers, or big rigs - are a valuable part of Virginia’s economy, they can also be a large and menacing presence on our Commonwealth’s roads.

A fully loaded tractor-trailer can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Imagine what kind of destruction something that large and heavy can cause when barreling down the road at 70 miles per hour.

For example, two Virginia schoolchildren were killed by a tractor-trailer that was unable to stop in March of 2017.

When you have a vehicle as large and heavy as a tractor-trailer, every part of it, from the tiniest bolt to the giant tires, must be soundly manufactured and carefully maintained. Just one faulty part can cause disastrous results.

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one because of an accident involving a tractor-trailer, we are deeply sorry for your loss. No one should have to go through the hardships caused by a negligent truck operator.

If you have any questions or think you may need help, we at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys are glad to talk with you at no charge. In fact, we do not receive any payment unless we recover money for you. Call (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777 to speak with our attorneys.

Back to Top

Additional Information

Call our Eastern Virginia office today for a free consultation
at (804) 413-6777 or toll free (855) 781-6777.

Zero Fee Guarantee

It costs you nothing for our firm to represent you. We only get paid when you do. Learn more

Community Service

Prevention, empathy, and diligence are hallmarks of everything we do at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys. Our community can see these ideals lived out in our work to prevent personal injuries from happening.

  • Safety Education
    GibsonSingleton launches “Texts=Wrecks” campaign to reduce the number of people injured or killed by distracted drivers.
  • Annual Coat Drive
    During the fall, our team works to distribute coats to people in need in our community.
  • Hands-on Service
    John and Ken join the Gloucester Point Rotary Club in cleaning up the community.
  • Supporting Local Schools
    The Gibson family participates in Gloucester’s Botetourt Elementary Shuffle fundraiser.