When driving on the roadway at night, one of the most important safety features that every vehicle, including commercial trucks, must have is properly functioning headlights. If headlights on a commercial truck do not work properly, other motorists remain unable to see the commercial truck leading to accidents. Additionally, if the headlights do not function properly on a commercial truck, the truck driver may remain unable to maintain visibility and cause an accident. If you suffered injuries due to a commercial truck having headlight defects, learn how a headlight defects attorney at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you understand your rights under the law by calling (800) 794-0444.
Causes for Headlight Defects on Commercial Trucks
There are several reasons why headlights on a commercial truck may not function correctly.
Failure to Properly Inspect and Maintain Headlights
Trucking companies and truck drivers must perform inspections of their entire vehicle both prior to every trip, as well as after every trip. Typically, this is a 147-point inspection to ensure that all parts of the truck are in proper working order, including the headlights. Pre-trip inspections make sure that the truck driver is safe throughout their trip, and post-trip inspection makes sure that the next truck driver will also remain safe and reduce the chance of receiving any violations. If a trucking company or driver fails to perform these inspections appropriately, any headlight defect could be easily missed resulting in serious accidents and injuries. Some of the types of reasons headlights fail to work over time and create defects include the following:
- Corrosion
- Shock and vibration (resulting in bulb filaments that break prematurely)
- Failed wiring
- Physical damage (the plastic housing should remain strong enough to withstand the head of the bulb)
Manufacturing Defects in Headlights
In some cases, a headlight defect is not the fault of the trucking company or the truck driver. Rather, some headlight defects are the direct result of a design flaw or manufacturing defect. If a manufacturer failed to disclose the defect, or even if a manufacturer did not know of the defect, a manufacturer may still have legal responsibility and liability regarding the defective headlights under product liability law. Additionally, a retailer that sold the defective headlight could also have legal liability for any resulting injuries from an accident due to the defect. However, it is important to note that if the manufacturer issued a recall notice regarding the defective part, then liability may also rest with the trucking manufacturer or truck driver who failed to monitor those recall notices and replace the headlight that was defective.
Dangers of Headlight Defects
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations require all equipment on a commercial truck to be effective and working appropriately, including the headlights. When a commercial truck has headlight defects, it makes it nearly impossible for other motorists to see the truck, and difficult to determine the speed of the truck. Some of the accidents that occur because of headlight defects include the following:
- Unable to see an oncoming truck (especially in any kind of inclement weather such as fog, snow, rain, or other weather conditions)
- Inability to determine if the truck intends to make a left or right turn
- Inability to see if a truck intends on making a lane change
- Inability to gauge the distance or speed of an oncoming truck
For a free legal consultation with a Headlight Defects Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Determining Liability for Headlight Defects in California Trucking Accidents
The state of California also requires that all commercial truck drivers and trucking companies follow federally mandated safety guidelines regarding the proper inspection of commercial trucks to prevent any type of accident from defective parts or components, such as headlights. If a victim suffers injuries as a result of a trucking accident related to a defective headlight, there are several parties and entities that may have liability and responsibility for any subsequent injuries and damages that result from the failure to properly inspect their vehicle. Some of the entities that may have responsibility and liability for a trucking accident resulting from a defective headlight include:
- The trucking company
- The truck driver
- Mechanic or repair shop that failed to properly install a headlight correctly
- Manufacturer (if the headlight itself is inherently defective with a design flaw or manufacturing defect)
- Retailer (if there is a manufacturing defect and the retailer sold a defective headlight)
Los Angeles Headlight Defects Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Types of Injuries Suffered from a Trucking Accident
While every trucking accident is different and there are differing degrees of severity, when an accident happens due to a headlight defect, the impact can have devastating consequences. Some of the types of injuries suffered in trucking accidents due to headlight defects include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis (including paraplegia or quadriplegia)
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage (including facial nerve injuries, or brachial plexus nerve injuries)
- Broken or fractured bones
- Severe burns (if the commercial truck carried any toxic or hazardous material that exploded or started a fire)
- Internal organ damage or organ ruptures
- Internal bleeding
- Aortic dissection
- Whiplash or other neck and back injuries
- Hypoxic injuries (due to excessive bleeding)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Death
If a victim dies due to their injuries related to a commercial trucking accident resulting from a headlight defect, the family of the victim may file a claim for wrongful death on behalf of their loved one. This claim may help with funeral costs, remaining medical bills, loss of income from the decedent, and the loss of consortium to the family due to their untimely death. If your loved one suffered injuries resulting in their death, contact a headlight defects attorney at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm who can help to determine how you may have the legal right to file a wrongful death claim.
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Contact a Los Angeles Headlight Defects Lawyer for Help Today
If you suffered any injuries due to a headlight defect on a commercial truck, consider contacting a Los Angeles headlight defects lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 who can help you determine your legal rights and help you pursue justice.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form