Michigan Truck Negligent Inspection Accident

LAWYERS FIGHTING FOR SEMI TRUCK INSPECTION DEFECT CRASH VICTIMS THROUGH MICHIGAN

Usually, truck drivers have to make a vehicle pre-trip inspection report in writing each day. The motor carrier and trucking company must repair any items in the trucker’s inspection report that affect the safety of the commercial vehicle and certify on the report that the repairs were made or were unnecessary. Truck driver was required to sign the report if defects were noted and certified to be repaired or not needed to be repaired. Personal injury lawyers specializing in semi truck and other commercial vehicle accidents, know what safety inspection the truck driver, trucking company or motor carrier should have performed to take reasonable steps prevent semi truck crash.

If you or a loved one have been injured due to a semi truck or other commercial vehicle defect accident call 866-HIRE-JOE to get the commercial vehicle crash legal team working on your big truck accident case. You need to hire a lawyer for your trucking accident right away before truck crash evidence is lost, destroyed, or discarded.

Semi Truck Vehicle Inspection

Why Inspect Semi Truck Or Any Commercial Motor Vehicle?

Safety is the most important reason the truck driver inspects the semi truck vehicle, to ensure safety for driver and for other motor vehicle road users. A vehicle defect found during an inspection could save lives and prevent  problems leading to a crash later. The commercial truck could have a breakdown on the road that will cost time and dollars, or even worse, a injury accident crash caused by the defect on the semi truck. Federal and state laws require that truck drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect semi truck vehicles. If state police inspector judged the vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it "out of service" until it is fixed.

Types of Truck Vehicle Inspection

Commercial Truck Vehicle Safety Inspection

A semi truck vehicle inspection will help truck driver find problems that could cause a crash or breakdown. 

• Truck Inspection During a Trip

Truck driver should do the following safety inspection:

• Watch gauges for signs of trouble.
• Truck driver should use senses to check for problems (look, listen, smell, feel).
• Check critical items when you stop:
• Tires, wheels and rims.
• Brakes.
• Lights and reflectors.
• Brake and electrical connections to trailer.
• Trailer coupling devices.
• Cargo securement devices.

After End Of Trip Inspection and Report

Truck drivers should do after-trip inspections at the end of each trip, day, or end of on-duty shift on each vehicle you operated. Truck driver should fill-out a vehicle condition report listing any problems found. The inspection report helps a motor carrier and trucking company know when the vehicle needs repairs.

What to Look For During Semi Truck Vehicle Safety Inspection?

The truck driver should have looked for the following tire problems:

• Too much or too little air pressure.
• Bad wear. You need at least 1/8-inch tread depth in every major groove on front tires. You need 1/16 inch on other tires. No fabric should show through the tread or sidewall.
• Cuts or other damage.
• Tread separation.
• Check for dual tires that come in contact with each other or parts of the vehicle.
• Mismatched sizes.
• Radial and bias-ply tires used together.
• Cut or cracked valve stems.
• Check for re-grooved, recapped, or retreaded tires on the front wheels of a bus because its prohibited.

The truck driver should have looked for the following wheel and rim problems:

• Damaged rims.
• Rust around wheel nuts may mean the nuts are loose--check tightness. After a tire has been changed, stop a short while later and re-check tightness of nuts.
• Missing clamps, spacers, studs, or lugs means danger.
• Mismatched, bent, or cracked lock rings are dangerous.
• Check wheels or rims that have had welding repairs because they are not safe.

Truck driver should have performed the following safety inspection for bad brake drums or shoes

• Cracked drums.
• Check the brake shoes or pads for oil, grease, or brake fluid on them because there may be a brake fluid leak.
• Shoes worn dangerously thin, missing, or broken.

Truck driver should have performed the following safety inspection steering system defects:

• Missing nuts, bolts, cotter keys, or other parts.
• Bent, loose, or broken parts, such as steering column, steering gear box, or tie rods.
• Check, if the truck is power steering equipped, all hoses, pumps, and fluid level and check for leaks.
• Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees (approximately 2 inches movement at the rim of a 20-inch steering wheel) can make it hard to steer.

Truck driver should have performed the following safety inspection Suspension System Defects

The suspension system holds up the vehicle and its cargo load. It keeps the vehicle axles in place. Therefore, operating a commercial truck with broken suspension parts can be extremely dangerous. Truck driver should look for the following:

• Check spring hangers that allow movement of axle from proper position.
• Cracked or broken spring hangers.
• Check the suspension for missing or broken leaves in any leaf spring. If 1/4th or more are missing, the vehicle will put" out of service", but any defect could be dangerous.
• Check the suspension for broken spring leaves in a multi-leaf spring, or spring leaves that may have shifted because they might hit a tire or other part.
• Leaking shock absorbers.
• Torque rod or arm, u-bolts, spring hangers, or other axle positioning parts that are cracked, damaged, or missing.
• Air suspension systems that are damaged and/or leaking.
• Any loose, cracked, broken, or missing frame members.

Truck driver should have performed the following safety inspection for exhaust system defects
A broken exhaust system can let poison fumes into the cab or sleeper berth putting you and the co-driver at risk of injury or death by asphyxiation. Truck driver should look for:

• Loose, broken, or missing exhaust pipes, mufflers, tailpipes, or vertical stacks.
• Loose, broken, or missing mounting brackets, clamps, bolts, or nuts.
• Check exhaust system parts to make sure not rubbing against fuel system parts, tires, or other moving parts of vehicle.
• Exhaust system parts that are leaking.

Truck driver should have performed the following safety inspection for emergency equipment

Commercial vehicles must be equipped with emergency equipment. Truck driver is required to look and ensure the following emergency equipment is in the semi truck:

• Fire extinguisher(s).
• Spare electrical fuses (unless equipped with circuit breakers).
• Warning devices for parked vehicles: three reflective triangles or at least 6 fuses or 3 liquid burning flares).

Truck driver should have performed the following safety inspection for Cargo (Trucks)

Truck driver must make sure the truck is not overloaded with freight, in terms of size and weight, and the cargo is balanced and secured before each trip. If the cargo contains hazardous materials, trucker must inspect for proper paperwork and placarding.

Truck Driver Must Pass CDL Vehicle Inspection Test

In order to obtain a CDL the truck driver will be required to pass a vehicle inspection test. Truck driver was tested to see if the trucker knows whether semi truck vehicle is safe to drive. Truck driver would have been asked to do a vehicle inspection of commercial vehicle during CDL testing. Commercial truck driver is trained to point out or touch and name the items the truck driver is inspecting and explain to the test examiner what the truck driver would have to inspect and why. Truck drivers use the seven step method.

LAWYERS FOR SEMI TRUCK INSPECTION DEFECT ACCIDENTS – CALL 866-HIRE-JOE

If you or a loved have been injured due to a negligent commercial truck inspection accident, contact the Joseph Dedvukaj Firm, P.C. to speak to a experienced personal injury attorney. Call now toll free 866-HIRE-JOE to discuss your rights and your free case evaluation.