Trucks are very useful for hauling big and numerous items across Pennsylvania. They are used by many companies and many people earn their living as truck drivers. However, the reason that makes them so useful for hauling is the same reason that they can be very dangerous as well. They are much larger than most other vehicles on the road and truck accidents can be very devastating. That is why it is so important that the truck drivers drive safely and that the trucks are in good working order.
In a previous post we discussed that trucks must go through very thorough periodic inspections. However, those only need to occur at least once a year. A truck will make many trips during that year and it is important that the truck functions well on every trip. That is why the truck drivers are required to complete an inspection report after each trip.
The inspection must look at the service brakes, trailer brakes and parking brakes, the steering, the lights, tires, rear vision mirrors, coupling devices, wheels and rims, the emergency equipment and other equipment. The driver must note if there are any deficiencies or defects with any equipment and the truck company must correct the defects prior to the driver using the truck again. The drivers are also required to review the previous inspection report prior to driving to ensure everything was corrected and in good working order.
Despite these requirements, not every driver in Pennsylvania completes a proper inspections and equipment may malfunction. If these defects contribute to an accident, the truck company may be required to compensate the victims. These victims can suffer very severe injuries and the compensation may be vital to pay for medical bills and lost income. Experienced attorneys understand how devastating these truck accidents can be and may be a useful resource.
Source: www.ecfr.gov, “§396.11 Driver vehicle inspection report(s)” accessed on August 21, 2017