When a truck accident is caused by defective parts, liability often falls on the truck or parts manufacturers. Proving this requires detailed analysis and evidence, which can be difficult without legal representation.
A Springfield truck accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation into your accident to determine negligence and pursue the compensation you need for your recovery.
Liability Typically Lies With the Truck Manufacturer, Parts Manufacturers, or Distributors/Retailers
When a truck accident is caused by a defective part, liability often falls on the companies that designed, built, or sold the faulty component. This may include:
- Truck manufacturer: If the defect originated during the production of the truck itself, the manufacturer can be held responsible.
- Parts manufacturer: If a defective brake system, tire, or other component caused the crash, the company that produced the part may share liability.
- Distributor or retailer: A supplier may be liable under Ohio Rev. Code § 2307.78 if the product failed to match their representations, if they were negligent, or in cases where they designed, labeled, or owned the product.
To recover compensation, you must show that the defect directly caused the accident and your injuries. An attorney can investigate maintenance records, recall notices, and expert reports to determine which party or combination of parties is responsible.
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Maintenance Companies Can Also Hold a Level of Liability
While manufacturers of trucks and truck parts are typically liable in these cases, there are circumstances under which other parties may also be held liable.
A repair company that performed maintenance on the truck could be held liable if it installed a defective part that had already been recalled. Maintenance companies have a responsibility to keep informed of any recalls for vehicles they service.
Installing a part that maintenance workers should have known was defective or failing to notify a customer that a part in their vehicle has been recalled can open them up to liability.
Trucking Companies May Also Be Responsible
Trucking companies have a responsibility to ensure the vehicles they are putting on the road are reasonably safe. Similar to maintenance companies, trucking companies need to keep informed about the trucks in their fleet.
If a recall is issued for any of their vehicles or specific parts and the company fails to take action to replace the parts in question, they can be held liable for the resulting damages.
“Everything he did was over and beyond what we would expect an attorney to do. He made it so that we didn’t have any worries.”.
Client | Auto AccidentHow an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help Prove Liability
Once you hire a lawyer, they will look into your accident to determine the cause of the crash.
This investigation will involve:
- Reviewing the black box data and driver logs for the truck
- Speaking with eyewitnesses
- Securing any available video footage of the crash
- Obtaining a copy of the official police accident report
- Consulting various experts
After your attorney has determined the cause of the crash, they will further investigate to determine who is responsible. If a defective part caused the accident, they will work to figure out who knew about the defect and when.
In many cases, multiple parties hold different levels of liability. Your lawyer will help you identify all the responsible parties so you can recover the full value of your losses.
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Available Compensation After a Truck Accident Caused by Defective Parts
Available damages in a defective truck part case depend on the facts and losses involved. These can be divided into economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the direct financial losses caused by the accident. Some of the most commonly available economic damages following a truck accident caused by defective parts include the following:
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Decreased earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages focus on the impact an accident has on your quality of life. These damages are meant to provide compensation for the intangible yet profound harm you have endured. Some of the non-economic damages that may be available to you include the following:
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Punitive Damages
In rare cases involving reckless or intentional conduct, courts may award punitive damages. Under Ohio Rev. Code § 2315.21, these awards are capped at twice the compensatory damages or 10% of the defendant’s net worth, up to $350,000 per plaintiff.
While compensatory damages are meant to compensate you for the losses you incurred, punitive damages focus on punishing the liable parties and deterring similar behavior in the future.
Get Help From a Knowledgeable Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you suffered injuries in a truck accident caused by a defective part, recovering compensation for your losses can be critical. At The Stuckey Firm, LLC, we have over three decades of combined experience helping injury victims recover the compensation they need through personalized advocacy. We hold negligent parties accountable.
Contact us today by phone or through our website to get started with a free case evaluation. We’ll review the details of your case and advise you of your options moving forward.
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