Between September 9-11, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance held a 72-hour enforcement spree. During the blitz, the Alliance inspected a total of 50,151 inspections in Virginia and around North America and placed more than 15,000 trucks out of service. The next International Roadcheck is planned for May 4-6, 2021. During the blitz, inspectors looked for mechanical and driver violations.
The top five OOS mechanical violations found by the Alliance during the blitz were:
- Brake systems, with 3,163 violations.
- Tires, with 2,326 violations.
- Cargo securement, with 1,586 violations.
- Lights, with 1,650 violations.
- Brake adjustment, with 1,567 violations.
The number and types of vehicle violations highlights the potential for accidents between trucks and cars. Even if a truck’s driver is professional and responsible, other factors like brake system issues, cargo securement problems, or worn tires may cause an accident. If a truck is involved in an accident with a car, it’s usually the occupants of the car who suffer the most serious injuries.
Depending on the circumstances, the truck’s owner might be held responsible for mechanical problems that resulted in an accident. When an accident involves a commercial vehicle, like a truck, the police will call in a truck inspector to look for any mechanical issues that could have contributed to or caused the accident. The police report, or truck inspector’s report, may contain important evidence related to the crash. Such evidence could be used to hold the driver or company responsible for any injuries, fatalities, or property damage caused by the accident.
If you were involved in an accident with a truck, an attorney with a background in truck accidents could offer you advice and potentially help you collect evidence. In most cases, an attorney is happy to meet with you to discuss your accident and answer your questions.