Anyone who owns a personal vehicle knows that maintenance is key to keeping it running and safe. This is true for commercial vehicles as well. Unfortunately, numerous truck accidents that happen in Louisiana and elsewhere are the result of improper maintenance.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has set very strict guidelines regarding commercial vehicle maintenance. According to the FMCSA, motor carriers are to conduct regular vehicle inspections and repairs. Certain vehicle parts are to be inspected every 90 days., while others only require annual checkups. Any issues noted are to be fixed before allowing the truck back into service.
Motor carriers are to keep detailed inspection and repair records for at least 12 months from the day the inspection occurred. Drivers are also to inspect and keep records of their daily vehicle checks. These records need to be kept for at least three months. Failing to keep records for the specified time frame will only hurt the motor carrier if an accident occurs.
Following truck accidents, vehicle maintenance records are some of the first things looked at in order to see if maintenance issues contributed to the wrecks. If maintenance logs are lacking, such information could be used to help victims achieve compensation for their losses. An experienced personal injury attorney can assist victims of trucking accidents in Louisiana or — in the event of fatality — their surviving family members seek maximum relief by filing and negotiating or litigating their claims. If legal actions prove successful, compensation for all documented and recoverable damages, whether they are economic or noneconomic in nature, may be achieved.